Transportation is more than a way to get from one place to another. It is a symbol of freedom, a tool for connection, and a basic necessity for living with dignity. For millions of disabled Americans, that necessity remains out of reach.
In Minnesota and across the country, advocates are calling for a future where mobility is not rationed by geography or ability but guaranteed as a right.
Joan Willshire has spent years urging Minnesota to provide equal access to on-demand transportation. She and many others rely on Metro Mobility, a service that requires rides to be booked days in advance and still considers a bus arriving nearly half an hour late as acceptable. For those who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges, spontaneity is not just rare. It is nearly impossible.
This is not just a Minnesota problem. National statistics reveal a widespread crisis. One in four adults in the United States lives with a disability according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Census Bureau reports that 44.1 million noninstitutionalized disabled Americans face daily transportation challenges. Nearly two million disabled people never leave home and 28 percent of them say transportation is the main reason. In 2022, 14.4% of disabled adults lacked reliable daily transportation.
Minnesota is beginning to respond. Services like Metro Micro, MVTA Connect, and SW Prime offer app-based ride options in select areas. Transportation Plus is the only provider offering metrowide on-demand wheelchair-accessible rides outside of Metro Mobility.
In Grand Rapids, the goMARTI pilot program is testing autonomous wheelchair-accessible vans in a rural setting. It is the first of its kind in the world. With over 27,000 rides logged since 2022, it has already changed lives. Myrna Peterson, a wheelchair user, describes how she can now shop, run errands, and socialize without relying on others. She calls it life-changing.
Despite these innovations, most disabled Americans still face barriers. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles in only about ten cities nationwide. For many, spontaneous travel remains out of reach. Wheelchair vans are unaffordable for many people. A wheelchair van can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the manufacturer, model, and amenities included.
Transportation is not a luxury. It is a basic human need. The ability to move freely should not depend on where you live or how much money you have. Disabled people should be able to leave their homes safely, and accessible transportation allows them to do so.
Sources:
“Disability Characteristics.” American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table?q=S1810.
“Disability Impacts All of Us.” CDC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html.
Transportation Update: Where We’ve Gone and What We’ve Learned. U.S. Government Publishing Office, 4 May 2015, https://www.ncd.gov/report/transportation-update-where-weve-gone-and-what-weve-learned/.
Walsh, James. “It’s About Time: Disabled Minnesotans Push for Equal Access to On-Demand Transportation.” Star Tribune, Star Tribune Media Company LLC, 7 Sept. 2025, https://www.startribune.com/its-about-time-disabled-minnesotans-push-for-equal-access-to-on-demand-transportation/601454632.
“Wheelchair Van Conversion vs. Purchasing a Wheelchair Van.” United Access, United Access, 14 Mar. 2023, http://www.unitedaccess.com/us/en/blog/mobility-solutions/convert-wheelchair-van-vs-purchase-wheelchair-van.html.