Assessing the Unmet Transportation Needs of Americans with Disabilities

 The findings of the research suggest a growing market for accessible vehicles that could make a significant impact on the self-driving auto industry.

We encourage you to read the full report, but you can find a “snapshot” of the information below:

• The report estimates that 18.5 million Americans are limited in their travel in some way — this group includes people with disabilities, such as blind people, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and wheelchair users, as well people with epilepsy.

• Travel-limited individuals are six times more likely to live in a home without a car. Motorized wheelchair-users are eight times more likely.

• Currently, 5.7 million people use wheelchairs, and 1.7 million use a motorized wheelchair.

• The wheelchair-using population in the U.S. is growing, and is expected to more than double by 2022, growing by a projected 120%.
  • The number of wheelchair users grew by 50% between 2010 and 2014.
  • If trends continue, the number of wheelchair users in the U.S. could reach 12 million within five years, including 3 million motorized wheelchair users. That’s more than double.

• The estimated range of the wheelchair-using population that have the money to use transportation as a service is 3.6-5.0 million.

• Unsurprisingly, income is one of the most severely limiting factors for travel-limited populations seeking to access reliable, safe transportation. Households earning more than $35,000 per year reach nearly 100% vehicle ownership rates whether they have a disability or not.