Community Life: Transportation

WayFinder 3 is an accessible Garmin or TomTom, and it helps people with intellectual disabilities to travel safely, whether by bus or on foot. The traveler simply taps on the picture of their desired destination and WayFinder 3 takes over from there.

If you believe this app would be effective for your family (or student) but find it is too costly, there are opportunities available for financial assistance, including your local Board of Developmental Disabilities. Contact our Helpdesk for more information.

The goal of the RideWise Program is to promote the independent travel of older adults and people with disabilities by providing free access to training and support. This guide was created to cover a wide range of topics related to travel using a fixed-route transportation system.

Read the guide here.

Ace Taxi is MEDICAID APPROVED and work with certified, compassionate drivers that are specifically trained to transport all riders from children to seniors with all types of physical, development and mental conditions.

Offers a variety of school services for children with developmental disabilities from birth to 21, including Early Intervention, Preschool, and School Age services.

Adult Services include employment assistance,community support, supported living/waiver services, investigative support, family support and transportation services.

This downloadable disability notification card can be used when going through security when at the airport.

Drive Team offers driving lessons for teens aged 16-18 with a performance-based Driver Education program licensed by the state of Ohio. Students advance through each level of the 46-hour program at their own pace. They are required to demonstrate proficiency at each level before progressing to the next.

Adult students are evaluated on a case by case basis before enrollment.

Clients entering this program do a three-hour OT driving evaluation that consists of:

A clinical evaluation consisting of vision, visual perceptual skills, physical ability, reaction time and cognition.
An on-the-road assessment in an adapted vehicle

To be eligible for the evaluation you must…
Be 16 years of age or older
Have a valid driver’s license or temporary permit
Be seizure-free or have a physician’s authorization that the seizures are under medical control
Have a physician’s order for an Occupational Therapy Driving Evaluation

They provide driving evaluation services for drivers with acquired disabilities. They evaluate the ability of the physically or visually impaired driver to obtain a driver’s license and safely operate a vehicle, including those affected by stroke, brain injury and other conditions.

FARE-Cle believes transportation is essential to allow all adults access to a variety of community activities. By providing individuals ages 14 and older (diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability) the opportunity to find a trained and vetted driver, our clients move towards independence, community integration, and self-empowerment.

They will work with you to develop a transportation plan that is best suited for your family’s needs.

Provides driver’s education and training for people with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Several locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

Koinonia offers residential services, day programs, and employment services for adults with disabilities in Northeast Ohio.

They offer 21 licensed group homes, over 50 supported living arrangements, transportation services, and shared living options all provided in safe and healthy settings. Koinonia provides services in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties.

Koinonia Enterprises offers individuals career services that include a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on the individual’s path to employment from self-discovery of skills and talents to career exploration to future career advancements.

Koinonia is supported through Medicaid, funding from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, private pay and donations.

An informational website that details the public transportation process for persons with disabilities in Cleveland, OH.

This link goes directly to the application for people interested in applying for the fixed route disability program. This document is also available for downloading on the website link above.

SHC provides services to individuals with disabilities and their families. They are an advocate for human rights, in addition to many programs for children, adults and families.

Services include:
Camp Paradise — traditional day and residential summer camps for adults with developmental disabilities
Residential Services
The Link Day Program (social opportunities and job training for adults)
Special Olympics
In-Home Support
Ombudsman
Resource Center
Transportation Services

UDS serves individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities – from the mildest to the most severe. They are committed to offering high-quality options to help fulfill social, vocational, community living, low vision and transportation needs.

In addition there is a Toy & Resource Center for parents of children with special needs and a program with sports programs sanctioned by the Special Olympics.