Assuming the national statistics hold true in Houston, TX, there are over 25,000 wheelchair users in the city over the age of 15 there are 14,000 new wheelchair users added to that number every year. Yet, getting around Houston for wheelchair users is more difficult then ever as very few neighborhoods have access to public accessible transit. Furthermore, with many neighborhoods lacking sidewalks, even traveling less than a mile can be impossible.
So how do wheelchair users get around Houston?
- Metrolift: as noted earlier, many neighborhoods in Houston are not covered by this service
- UBER/Lyft: While both provide great on demand service for ambulatory passengers, they are not the best choice for wheelchair users or people requiring a bit more assistance. To better understand this, take a look at this forum where Lyft & UBER drivers discuss their views on serving older Americans.
- NEMT: While Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) companies provide the right level of service, they are not the best when it comes to accommodating last minute requests for a wheelchair transportation. Furthermore, the quality of service varies greatly from one company to the next. A great question to ask a provider when signing up for service is the average age of their vehicles and the amount of insurance coverage they have. For more information on what to look for, go here.
Houston, TX is already a pretty complex city to navigate with constructions everywhere and current road conditions. Hence, folks with disabilities and their loved ones ought to consider early how they will get around the city and do their due diligence vs. trying to book a ride at the last minute. For more information or if you have questions on your options, please call us: (713) 766-4447 or send us a message.
