Mobility Issue for Disadvantaged Citizens Addressed

Life for those individuals without the necessary transportation to join in everyday activities such as working, shopping, or socializing is severely degraded at best. This is not an issue for sectors of the population that may take their mobility for granted. Some may assume that everyone has the same capability to participate in our system as they do. This may not be true. There may be a segment of population in several rural states that do not enjoy the same social and economic opportunities that the general population does because of a lack of mobility. One such group may be the mentally or physically disadvantaged. Individuals who are physically or mentally disadvantaged not only have a psychological need to participate in society and the economy, but also make valuable contributions. This element is amplified when considering that several rural states have limited labor supply. These citizens can contribute to the economy as active consumers if given the ability to be gainfully employed. It is important to evaluate their opportunities to participate in the socioeconomic system.

There is no question that the physically and mentally disadvantaged are a recognizable group in North Dakota. What is not known is what their specific transportation needs are and to what degree their needs are being met. SURTC is working on a study to answer these two fundamental questions. Four Centers of Independent Living in North Dakota have worked with Jill Hough to administer random surveys to their population of disadvantaged clients. Results for the study will be available this Spring. For more information, contact Jill Hough (jill.hough@ndsu.edu).