As a result of rising demand, transportation services for the elderly and the disabled are finally gaining awareness. Today, transport services that are ADA-compliant are offered by both public and private entities. A couple of the issues with public transportation for people with disabilities are constraints in capabilities and access. Often times public services are limited in offerings or times of service and certainly are not able to provide personalized, concierge service or experience to their riders. This is where private transport for people with disabilities or special needs becomes appealing. There are a few crucial factors you may decide to take into account while choosing the best private transportation non-emergency medical transport service.
Qualities of an ADA-Compliant Transportation Service
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides for accessibility standards that ensure safe and dignified transport for individuals with disabilities. Key requirements for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) companies to be ADA-compliant include vehicle accessibility, driver training, and service standards. Be sure you are working with a transportation company that meets these requirements and is skilled in managing mobility devices like wheelchairs and gurneys. Safety, ease of use, and a reputation for punctuality are essential features to look for in a medical transportation service.
Safety and Comfort
One of the critical needs for a disabled person is safe medical transportation. By using transportation services that provide their own vehicles and trained employees — rather than a service with third party vendors — you may ensure quality of care and safety standards are upheld. The patient should be safely transferred wherever the pick up and destination entails. This may be from a private residence or hospital bed to the wheelchair and from the wheelchair to the van. Well-trained employees will make this a seamless experience and may provide additional necessary transfers such as up or down the stairs with necessary equipment and protocols.
Safety should be a top consideration especially for companies that provide service to people with disabilities or special needs. Checking the service provider’s reviews (such as on Google or Yelp) is one way to learn about prior client’s experiences.
Personalized Care
Another consideration for disabled transport services is the attention to unique requirements for their clients. Individual needs will likely differ based on many factors, such as medical necessity, physical considerations, location, and occasion. A transportation service that provides optimal care to individuals with disabilities will always bear in mind that its main responsibility is to meet each client’s needs. Private transportation for disabled individuals may entail special requirements or requests such as for additional caregivers or passengers, specific stops prior to the final destination and/or additional medical equipment.
Hospital Discharges
A significant obstacle many patients face is the difficulty to obtain a convenient transfer vehicle after being released from the hospital. For those who are disabled, this may pose an even bigger problem with considerations for specialized assistance or transfer to their residence or facility. During an already critical and stressful experience of a hospital visit or stay, transportation should not be an additional burden. Finding a company who provides ADA-compliant accessibility, ease of booking, and personalized care can make a hospital discharge and transportation stress free for individuals with disabilities.
Translator Support
For patients who speak a different language, such as Spanish, the comfort of communicating in their native language can provide a smoother and more comfortable transportation experience. It is especially helpful for NEMT services to reduce the language barrier for individuals who have unique requests or need specialized care. It is always a great idea upon booking to request translation, if needed, in a different language. This way you will be able to communicate your instructions or requests for service in the clearest manner.
Trained Drivers and Employees
When seeking a medical transportation service for individuals with disabilities, you’d like to rest assured that you are being taken care of by a company who rigorously trains their drivers and employees. They must uphold certifications, standards and protocols that should be completed and kept up to date to provide safe non-emergency medical transportation. In addition to their staff, their vehicles also must pass hygiene and safety standards that meet ADA standards.
Why Choose Care 22 for ADA-Compliant Transportation Needs?
Care 22 provides ADA-compliant transportation to individuals with disabilities with personalized care, safety and comfort. Our special needs transport services use a fleet of marked vans that are routinely maintained and pass ADA safety and hygiene standards. They are equipped with electric lifts which can accommodate manual and power wheelchairs along with gurneys or additional passengers. Four point tie downs and lap/shoulder belts ensure stable and safe transportation for wheelchair and gurney rides. Our drivers are trained in safety standards and CPR or first aid certifications; not to mention caring and compassionate assistance.
We are proud to provide equal access to transportation regardless of disability or specialized needs to get you the care you need or to the destination you need to go. Our clients with mobility-related challenges can easily commute to and from jobs, school, hospital/rehabilitation appointments, and leisure activities. We firmly believe that people with disabilities should not be denied transit possibilities or compassionate care for all their needs.
