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Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Public Transportation: A Case-Study Analysis of Canada and U.S. Policies

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Title: Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Public Transportation: A Case-Study Analysis of Canada and U.S. Policies
Language: English
Authors: Delphine Labbé (ORCID 0000-0002-3730-4310), Daryl Patrick Yao (ORCID 0000-0003-2844-8280), Tyrone Scales, Heather McCain, William C. Miller, W. Ben Mortenson
Source: Journal of Disability Policy Studies. 2026 37(1):14-26.
Availability: SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Transportation, Disabilities, Public Policy, Definitions, Accessibility (for Disabled), Motor Vehicles, Services, Training, Financial Support
Geographic Terms: Canada, United States
DOI: 10.1177/10442073251370266
ISSN: 1044-2073
1538-4802
Abstract: Public transportation is fundamental for people with disabilities to access meaningful opportunities. However, their access to public transit is still limited, partly due to the policies establishing the accessibility requirements of public transportation services. We conducted a policy scan analysis of the local, provincial/state, and federal public transportation policies in Canada and the United States. With this scan, we analyzed the policies' aims, the definition of disabilities, and the content of those policies. The policy analysis revealed that the definition of disability was inconsistent across jurisdictions, creating a discrepancy between those who have access to accessible transport and those who do not. The analysis also showed that policies in the United States and Canada mainly focused on the built environment, the adaptations of vehicles, and the provision of services. In contrast, only a few policies covered social accessibility, such as interaction with the staff, which underscores a significant policy gap and suggests the need for more training requirements in the policies. Funding to transport agencies for people with disabilities was also a missing piece highlighted in this comparative analysis, particularly in Canada. Policymakers need to develop funding mechanisms to ensure a better implementation of accessibility in services and infrastructure.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505278
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Public Transportation: A Case-Study Analysis of Canada and U.S. Policies
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Delphine+Labbé%22">Delphine Labbé</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3730-4310">0000-0002-3730-4310</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Daryl+Patrick+Yao%22">Daryl Patrick Yao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2844-8280">0000-0003-2844-8280</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tyrone+Scales%22">Tyrone Scales</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Heather+McCain%22">Heather McCain</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22William+C%2E+Miller%22">William C. Miller</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22W%2E+Ben+Mortenson%22">W. Ben Mortenson</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Disability+Policy+Studies%22"><i>Journal of Disability Policy Studies</i></searchLink>. 2026 37(1):14-26.
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  Data: SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/10442073251370266
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  Data: 1044-2073<br />1538-4802
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  Data: Public transportation is fundamental for people with disabilities to access meaningful opportunities. However, their access to public transit is still limited, partly due to the policies establishing the accessibility requirements of public transportation services. We conducted a policy scan analysis of the local, provincial/state, and federal public transportation policies in Canada and the United States. With this scan, we analyzed the policies' aims, the definition of disabilities, and the content of those policies. The policy analysis revealed that the definition of disability was inconsistent across jurisdictions, creating a discrepancy between those who have access to accessible transport and those who do not. The analysis also showed that policies in the United States and Canada mainly focused on the built environment, the adaptations of vehicles, and the provision of services. In contrast, only a few policies covered social accessibility, such as interaction with the staff, which underscores a significant policy gap and suggests the need for more training requirements in the policies. Funding to transport agencies for people with disabilities was also a missing piece highlighted in this comparative analysis, particularly in Canada. Policymakers need to develop funding mechanisms to ensure a better implementation of accessibility in services and infrastructure.
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        Value: 10.1177/10442073251370266
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transportation
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      – SubjectFull: Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Public Policy
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      – TitleFull: Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Public Transportation: A Case-Study Analysis of Canada and U.S. Policies
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