Social Care and Neurodisability

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the transportation needs of adults in Toronto who have acquired brain injuries (ABIs).

Design/methodology/approach – A survey was completed by staff working with clients in a community brain injury organization.

Findings – The survey showed that that some people with ABIs who do not use mobility devices and/or do not have obvious physical disabilities, could benefit from the city's door-to-door accessible public transit service (Wheel-Trans). They are currently excluded from Wheel-Trans based on the eligibility criteria for this service.

Research limitations/implications – This survey only looks at people with ABIs who are accessing services from an ABI community agency, thus it overlooks those who are not and may not be doing so due to lack of transportation. Also the survey is completed by staff rather than ABI clients, which may lead to different answers/perspectives.

Practical implications – A change to the eligibility criteria of Wheel-Trans could increase the independence of some people with ABIs and could also increase their participation in society.

Originality/value – Based on a literature review by the author, there is no existing research that examines transportation and ABIs in Canada.