For people who are newly blind or visually impaired, the process of learning how to navigate the world can seem to be a daunting task. However, travel, transportation, and mobility come in many forms.
Orientation and Mobility Training
Orientation and mobility (O&M) refers to the set of skills involved in safe, efficient, and effective travel. For people who are blind or visually impaired, this tends to include the following:
- Using their senses to know where they are and where they want to go with a combination of safety techniques and human guidance
- The use of a cane or other mobility devices
- Requesting or turning down assistance
- Following directions using landmarks and compass directions
- Techniques for crossing and navigating streets, intersections, and traffic patterns
- Problem-solving skills for when they’re lost or need to change their route
- Using public transportation
This training is typically done one-on-one with a trained O&M instructor either at a rehabilitation center or in the person’s community.
0&M for children
If a child is registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), their MCB counselor can refer them to an appropriate instructor. Typically, this service is provided by Perkins’ School for the Blind or another partnered group and organized through their school as a part of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Through periodic, individualized sessions, children learn age-appropriate skills to help them meet developmental guidelines. These sessions may continue until the child reaches age 18, at which point, their MCB counselor will help them transition into one of the available adult-oriented programs.
Learn more about orientation and mobility.
Public Transportation
In many municipalities, a rider with a qualifying disability, such as legal blindness, can apply for a discounted regional transportation fare card for buses, subways, streetcars or ferries, depending on local rules. In most cases, you can load a cash value on the card, which will be deducted automatically upon usage. To apply for a discounted transit card, contact your local transit authority. You will usually need to fill out a form and have your doctor sign it.
Find public and private transportation options by route.
Public Transportation Agencies by Region
Public transportation in Massachusetts is managed by different agencies depending on your region. All of these authorities are required by law to provide disability accommodations as well as paratransit services to eligible residents. However, some regions provide additional services, so you should contact your local office to learn about your options.
Learn which transportation agency manages your region.
Long Distance Medical Shuttles
Many regions in Massachusetts provide shuttle services that transport eligible patients to medical facilities across longer distances than normal paratransit will offer. These shuttles usually require you to be approved for normal paratransit already, and rides must be scheduled in advance.
Find a long distance medical shuttle service near you.
Paratransit
Paratransit, also called the RIDE, is a transportation service for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use public transportation services. A transit agency must provide paratransit service within 3/4 of a mile of a bus route or rail station. This service must be available on the same days and at the same hours as regular transit services. You may have to pay a higher fare for paratransit services, but this fare cannot be more than double the regular fare. You’re eligible for paratransit service if you’re unable to use public transit because of your disability.
Demonstrating legal blindness is usually adequate to establish eligibility. Contact your local transit agency to request access to your local paratransit service. The transit agency may ask you to support your request for paratransit services with a letter from your doctor. Once approved, you can schedule trips by following your transit agency’s scheduling process. Transit agencies are required to offer next-day service, and they must agree to pick you up within an hour of the time that you requested.
Learn more about paratransit in Massachusetts.
RIDE Flex
The RIDE Flex, available to anyone with a RIDE account, allows you to schedule on-demand trips at any time with partners Uber and Lyft at a subsidized rate, typically $3. This service doesn’t provide the door-to-door mobility assistance that traditional paratransit services do, but Uber and Lyft are both required by law to accommodate service animals.
Learn more about RIDE Flex.
CharlieCard
CharlieCard is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) program for the greater Boston area that allows online management of transportation fares, eliminating the handling of cash and simplifying the process of utilizing the subway, commuter rail, ferry, bus, and RIDE services. Through your online account, you can add money to your card, buy passes, set up monthly automatic payments, and schedule RIDE trips.
Learn more about CharlieCard.
PT-1
PT-1 is a transportation service provided to eligible applicants to services covered by MassHealth. This includes medical, dental, mental health, day habilitation, and substance use disorder appointments. If you’re registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), you can request a certificate of blindness that’s usually sufficient for eligibility. However, you still need a MassHealth provider to complete a transportation request for you.
The application process usually takes up to three business days. Once your services are approved, you’ll be assigned a broker to call, and you’ll receive a letter with additional information on how to schedule trips. These rides are outsourced to local transportation vendors.
Learn more about PT-1.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
The two largest ridesharing services are Uber and Lyft. While both of these companies are fee-for-service, they both utilize software and smartphone technology to assist visually impaired riders to get from place to place. Both services offer cashless options to simplify the payment process, on-demand transportation, upfront pricing, the ability to share the rider’s ETA and location with friends or family members, and service animal policies which require drivers to comply with all applicable laws regarding the transportation of service animals.
Additionally, rideshare companies have been partnering with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Lighthouse for the Blind to increase awareness of blind passengers’ rights, advocate for effective public policies, and expand transportation options for passengers who are blind or have low vision. They are working to make their apps more accessible and inclusive.
Disability Parking Placard
A qualified permanently disabled person may obtain a Disability Parking Placard for no fee. Placards can be moved from one vehicle to another, making them a good option for someone who rides in various cars.
To apply, you will need to fill out the Application for Disabled Parking. Your healthcare provider will have to verify your disability status.
Apply for a disability placard or license plate.
Air Travel
People with visual impairments are protected via rules that all airlines are required to follow, however, specific methods can differ from airline to airline. While airport personnel should always accommodate requests for assistance at the airport itself, making arrangements in advance can help save time, travel headaches and delays.
When making your reservation, contact the airline’s disability support desk; they often have a dedicated phone number. Your reservation can be marked to let the ground staff and onboard personnel have all the information they need to facilitate any special arrangements you may require such as transportation to your gate and destination, as well as assistance regarding your baggage and ground transportation. This information can also be entered into a reservation online.
Additionally, some airlines’ disability support desks can waive seat assignment fees, and/or provide a lower cost fare for a companion who may be traveling with you to provide assistance. Check with your airline to see what specific services they provide.
Amtrak
Amtrak offers a 10% rail fare discount to adult passengers with a disability. Child passengers with a disability are eligible for the everyday 50% child discount plus an additional 10% off the discounted child’s fare, regardless of the service on which they travel. Amtrak also offers a 10% discount for persons traveling with a passenger with a disability as a companion. Those designated as a companion must be capable of providing the necessary assistance to the passenger with a disability. Select ‘Passenger with Disability’ or ‘Companion’ for each passenger as appropriate in Fare Finder at the beginning of your search to receive the applicable discounts.
You must provide written documentation of your disability at the ticket counter and when boarding the train. Acceptable documentation includes a transit system ID card for persons with a disability, membership card from a disability organization, letter from a physician, Medicare card if under 65, or a Disabled/Accessible parking placard issued by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (photocopy is acceptable).
Learn more about Amtrak's disability discounts.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are trained service animals that assist their blind or low vision owners with navigation and daily living. This includes leading their owner around obstacles, alerting them to changes in elevation, identifying tripping hazards, and avoiding overhead objects such as tree branches. They can find empty chairs, garbage cans, traffic light poles, and other helpful locations. Additionally, unlike other service animals, they are taught to disobey commands that they judge to be unsafe for the owner.
Cost and availability of guide dogs depends on where and when you apply. Many schools provide dogs for free after an application process that includes a home assessment and a 2-4 week bonding process.
Learn more about guide dogs.
Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of non-profit organizations that raise, train, and place guide, hearing, and service dogs to people with disabilities. While ADI doesn’t train dogs directly, they provide accreditation to member programs to ensure high standards for treatment of clients and ethical training and business practices.
Cost varies by program, but most accredited member programs receive financial support from donors and grants and are therefore able to provide dogs at little to no cost.
Learn more about Assistance Dogs International.