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The City of Chicago and metropolitan areas offer a complete line of public accessible trains, special transit buses and specially equipped vans that provide curb-to-curb service for persons unable to use the general public routes. There are additional options for private taxis, medicars, and transportation for medical transport.
Please note that wheelchairs and scooters must meet certain standards for size and design. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the public transportation providers have limited space (not mandated) to accommodate “non-common” wheelchairs on either the accessible fixed route or ADA Para transit trips. The standards say that a wheelchair should be 30 inches wide (wheel rim to wheel rim) by 48 inches long and not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied. If you have questions about a wheelchair, contact the CTA, Metra, Pace, or the RTA.
Public Transport -Chicago Area Resources
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ADA Paratransit Service – Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
For people who cannot use CTA or Pace. Offers wheelchair-accessible car or van service for medical and non-medical trips.
Phone: 312.663.4357
Steps to apply:
- Call to request a flyer about ADA Paratransit Certification.
- Review the flyer and call again to schedule an interview.
Website:
Benefit Access Program – Benefits Access
Provides free rides on CTA, Metra, and Pace for people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Benefit Access Program.
Phone: 800.252.8966 (Have your Social Security Number ready)
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) – Buses & Train Service
All CTA buses have lifts and ramps. Some train stations have elevators for wheelchair access.
Phone: 888.968.7282
TTY: 888.282.8891
Metra
Provides accessible commuter trains across the six-county metro area.
Phone: 312.322.6777
Pace Suburban Bus – For New Riders
Offers wheelchair-accessible fixed-route bus service and pre-arranged pickup for eligible riders. Available in suburban areas within ¾ mile of fixed routes.
Phone: 847.364.7223 (Option 3)
Taxi and Medicar Transport
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303 Taxi
Provides wheelchair-accessible vans with lifts and ramps for travel between Chicago and the suburbs (not between suburbs).
Phone: 847.303.0303
All-Ways Medical Carriers
Non-emergency wheelchair-accessible transportation for medical appointments, school, airport shuttles, and northern suburbs of Chicago.
Phone: 800.709.0700 or 847.279.2740
Connections to Care
Transportation to and from medical appointments for people in NW Suburban Cook County. Riders must be able to get in and out of vehicles independently. Not wheelchair accessible.
Phone: 847.222.9227
Fast Trak Medivan
Private pay, non-emergency wheelchair-accessible transportation available 24/6 in Chicago and northern suburbs.
Phone: 847.707.4137
Q Transport
Private wheelchair-accessible transportation for elderly and disabled individuals. Offers 24/7 door-to-door assisted service in Chicago. Luxury vehicles available.
Phone: 773.967.6401
No website listed
Rideshare Access Program (RAP)
For eligible RTA-certified ADA paratransit riders. After approval, a subsidy is added to the rider’s rideshare account to help pay for trips.
SCR Medical Transportation
Private transportation service located in Chicago.
Phone: 773.768.7000
Taxi Access Program (TAP)
Allows ADA Paratransit certified riders to use Chicago taxis at reduced rates. Riders can call or hail a cab.
Phone Number To Enroll: 833.722.3827
Phone Number To for Wheelchair-accessible taxi requests: 888.928.2227 (888.WAV.CABS)
Transportation Services and Solutions
Central dispatch for wheelchair-accessible taxis and vans in Chicago. Available 24/7. Vans have lifts for scooters and wheelchairs. Phone reservations only.
Phone: 708.924.4017
No website listed
TrekIT
App that helps sort non-emergency medical transportation options. Can bill Medicare/Medicaid directly.
Phone: 833.873.5872
Uber
Independent rideshare service. Not intended for medical transport.
Wheelchair Accessible Transportation
Provides non-emergency transportation for people with physical and cognitive challenges in Chicago and suburbs.
Phone: 630.668.9999
Wheelchair Transportation Medical Services – Chicago Medivan
Offers non-emergency wheelchair transportation for medical and therapy appointments, nursing homes, and more.
Phone: 630.568.3850
Ambulance Transport and National Transportation Resources
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Curb Mobility
Centralized dispatch service for wheelchair accessible (WAV) taxicabs in Chicago. Call 24/7 for immediate pickup or to schedule a ride.
Phone: 888.928.2227
Dial-A-Ride
Provides transportation services.
Phone: 800.500.5505
Federal Transit Administration – Paratransit
Answers to frequently asked questions about paratransit and ADA transportation issues.
Phone: 888.446.4511
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
Promotes accessible transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
Phone: 866.983.3222
Superior Ambulance Service
Provides emergency ambulance and helicopter services in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. Also offers non-emergency, wheelchair accessible Medi-Car service throughout the area.
Phone: 800.832.2000
Residential Disabled Parking Signs
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A person with a disability may apply to have a restricted parking space created in front of their home in Chicago, IL. Application forms may be obtained from the Department of Finance by calling 312.747.0114 or from the alderman of the ward in which the sign is being sought, and must be accompanied by the required fee.
Requirements and Conditions:
Disabled individuals who apply for signs must meet the conditions to qualify for a restricted parking space. The conditions include the following:
The applicant must reside on a residential street that is zoned R-1 through R-5.
The applicant must have either a current disabled Illinois license plate or a disabled placard issued by the Secretary of State when parking in the designated space.
Sign installation and maintenance costs must be paid by the applicant. For the first year, the cost for the sign is $70.00. In subsequent years, the annual maintenance fee is $25.00. Please note, the fee shall be waived if the applicant holds a valid, current disabled veterans state registration plate or permanent person with a disability license plate, parking decal or device issued pursuant to Section 3-609, 3-616 or Section 11-1301.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
The applicant must observe and obey any other parking restrictions which may apply at the approved location (i.e. Street Cleaning signs, Rush Hour Parking restrictions, etc).
Qualified applicants must complete an application form. You may obtain an application from your Alderman's Ward Office or call the Department of Finance at 312.747.0114.
Completed applications and the $70.00 installation fee may be submitted to the office of your Alderman, any City of Chicago Department of Finance facility, or via mail at
P.O. Box 803100
Chicago, IL 60680-3100
ATTN: Disabled Permit Section
If the Department of Finance recommends installing the signs, notice is sent to the applicant, Alderman’s Ward Office, Traffic Control and Public Safety Committee, and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. City Council then reviews the committee’s findings and votes on the permit.
If the signs are not recommended, the applicant is notified and the fee is refunded. The applicant may appeal the decision to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities within 10 days of the denial.
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) reviews and determines considerations for space requests.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/parking_forms/residential_disabledparkingsigns.html
Phone: 312.747.0114
This content is for informational purposes only and may not be comprehensive. Information contained does not imply an endorsement from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and does not replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. See here for further details.
