If you’ve given up the car keys due to vision loss, did you know you might qualify for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) services to get around safely and affordably? This can include:
- Door-to-door rides through ADA paratransit
- Reduced-fare cards for buses and trains
- Subsidized rides with Uber or Lyft in some cities
How to apply
There is no single, national application. Each city manages its own services.
Contact your local transit agency. Search online using the key words
“[name of your city] ADA paratransit”
Then call the transit agency and ask for the ADA paratransit and reduced-fare applications.
When your request is approved, you’ll get
- a paratransit ID
- instructions on how to schedule rides or apply reduced fares
Uber or Lyft at a discount?
Yes, in some cities! If your local transit agency partners with Uber or Lyft, they may offer you:
- Flat-rate rides, as low as a few dollars per trip
- A set number of discounted rides each month
- A special account or app setup to access these services
To find out more, search:
“[Your City] Uber ADA paratransit”
or call your transit agency directly and ask.
Don’t hesitate to apply—it’s your right, and these programs are here to help.
More practical help on transportation with vision loss
Area Agency on Aging
If you’re having trouble finding your local paratransit services, reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging or try the Rides in Sight website.
In Hadley Presents episode Transportation with Vision Loss Hadley members Tara Perry and Dia Kraft share some of the creative solutions they've found for getting around without car keys.
Hadley’s podcasts are also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, as well as by phone: 847-558-1317.
Have you applied for ADA services? What was your experience?
2 Comments
Hello. I've been trying to find somewhere to ask this question, so here goes. For those of you in locations where Uber and Lyft are partnering or have partnered with the ADA paratransit service, how exactly does it work? Are regular Lyft/Uber drivers being used, and if so do they or can they get out of their vehicle to assist a passenger? I ask because my parents and I thought I recently received a re-certification letter for paratransit, but it was actually an application to re-apply for a ride-free card. I'm honestly not crazy about using ADA paratransit again due to past experiences. Long story short, I actually did have a handful of positive experiences but most were questionable at best. I admit that while these weren't necessarily bad, they left me wondering why I had to rely on a service that doesn't deliver. Thank you in advance for any responses, and here's wishing everyone a happy and safe 2026.
Thanks for your question, Jake! Here's a response from the Hadley team:
The subsidized shared ride service is basically the same experience as using Uber or Lyft, including that the drivers aren’t specially trained to help people with disabilities. While the vouchers can help lower costs and make it easier to book rides on short notice, they don’t come with added support beyond what an individual driver may choose to offer. Paratransit, on the other hand, is intended for riders with disabilities and typically includes trained drivers who can help with things like finding the car or getting to the door if needed.