The Role of Public Transportation as a Job Access Mode: Lessons from a Survey of Persons with Disabilities in New Jersey

摘要

Transportation barriers are often cited as the primary reason for the discrepancy inemployment rate between persons with disabilities and others. Yet little information is availableabout the transportation barriers and needs of persons with disabilities who are searching foremployment. The primary objective of this descriptive paper is to share valuable informationfrom a unique survey of persons with disabilities who are actively searching for employment inNew Jersey. The paper examines the role of public transportation in providing job access topersons with disabilities. It provides information and insights on the availability, usage, needs,barriers, and perceptions of the survey respondents about different public transit modes, anddiscusses the implications for agencies that provide public and human services transportation.The research shows that despite frequent utilization of public transportation by job-seekingpersons with disabilities, many are dissatisfied with public transportation. While satisfactionseems to be high regarding ADA-compliant vehicle equipment, many are dissatisfied with thelevel of transit service and environmental barriers between homes and transit stations/stops. Itcan be inferred from the results that a multitude of strategies will be needed to address the travelneeds and barriers of job-seeking persons with disabilities in the state. In addition to assistinghuman services transportation planning and providing insights to vocational rehabilitationcounselors, the observations in the study will be used to lay down the framework for morerigorous research on transportation needs and barriers of persons with disabilities.