Increasing Accessible Transportation for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities through Autonomous Vehicles

2020

Accessible transportation continues to be a primary concern and unmet need of many individuals with developmental disabilities (Wasfi et al., 2017). Transportation barriers contribute to the social exclusion of this group, inhibiting the ability to be fully included in their larger communities. In Michigan, these barriers are compounded by a lack of accessible public transit in many rural areas of the state where individuals often need to travel longer distances to access community resources and activities. These barriers have been identified in other states such as Delaware (Smith et al., 2017). The emergence of self-driving, or autonomous, automobiles holds promise for addressing the transportation needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as aging and elderly populations, and those who are blind or have low vision (Brinkley et al., 2017). However, there remain many unanswered questions as to the overall accessibility of this new technology. One area of need is to gain a better understanding of how autonomous transit could eventually be harnessed to accommodate individuals with disabilities and those with accessible transportation needs. Another area of concern involves the legal implications of autonomous vehicle use by individuals with disabilities, their personal care staff, persons without drivers licenses, and persons who are blind or low vision. The purpose of the proposed project would be to assemble a group of experts from around Michigan to address the potential impact both positive and negative of this emerging technology. Utilizing the Delphi method, MI-DDI will lead an effort to survey and compile data from an expert panel comprised of leaders in the disability, automotive, aging, legal, mental health and social service sectors. The results of this project will be used to develop a white paper outlining the needs, advantages and potential impact related to autonomous vehicle use by Michigan persons with disabilities, aging and elderly individuals. The white paper will be used to leverage future funding to explore the use of autonomous vehicles to provide accessible transportation options for the disability and aging communities.

Transportation; Autonomous Vehicles

Performing Research or Evaluation

Quality Assurance, Transportation-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban

State

N/A