Most adults in the U.S. take the ability to drive for granted. But what if, because of your vision loss, driving isn’t an option? Arguably, one of the most difficult aspects of being blind is finding transportation. While some areas on the east coast have excellent public transit systems that can make a car unnecessary, that is not the case in most of the western U.S. So, what are the options for blind travelers when they need to go further than they can walk, or need to carry things like groceries or other heavy purchases?

Here in Missoula, Mountain Line offers both fixed route bus and paratransit services. Both operate seven days a week. There are 12 fixed routes that run from the airport to Bonner and from the Rattlesnake to the south hills. All of the buses are fully accessible for mobility devices through lifts or ramps. The buses have audible location announcements that help passengers with vision loss to know where they are.

Riders can also use the Transit app to find bus stops, learn when the next bus will arrive, and work out a route.

Paratransit is available to persons with disabilities who meet specific eligibility criteria. Specially equipped vehicles provide door to door service, and this can be essential to get those who can’t drive to work or school. Paratransit also delivers riders to medical appointments, retail stores and anyplace else that falls within a three-quarter mile radius of the fixed route bus system. Rides must be scheduled 24 hours in advance, and departure and arrival windows can be up to 30 minutes.

Finally, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft can help the blind get where they need to go. Since the rides don’t need to be scheduled in advance, they provide a flexible, albeit costly, transportation option. However, for those with service dogs, the persistent problem of ride denials can make these services unreliable. Indeed, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) found that 83% of respondents to a 2023 survey reported rideshare denials. Beyond the psychological and social stress of such incidents, these denials can result in employees being late for work or students for school.

The Mountain Line system readily accommodates service dogs, and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires Rideshare services to do the same. Uber and Lyft company policies forbid drivers from refusing rides to persons with service animals, but drivers routinely flout these rules. Drivers may misunderstand the ADA requirements or                                                               display outright discrimination against those with disabilities. They may also cite allergies’ or a fear of dogs, but neither of these are valid justifications under the ADA.

Customers can report these denials to the companies, but while doing so, they are still left without a ride to where they need to go. Both GDB and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) are actively advocating for Uber and Lyft to strongly enforce their own non-discrimination policies. The U.S.

Department of Justice also gathers information on rideshare denials since they are a form of civil rights discrimination.

Most of us take our car keys for granted. However, for those who can’t drive, we can continue our support for Mountain Line through our tax dollars. And if you witness a rideshare denial, take up the cause and spread the word, online if possible. Companies respond to negative publicity if there’s enough of it. Facing a backlash from more than just the blind community may finally move the needle on this pervasive problem.

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.

To contact the Missoula chapter of the NFB, email us at missoulachapter@nfbmt.org  .