Transportation for Rural People With Disabilities: Example Programs From Minnesota and Idaho

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01/2026

Transportation is a well-documented social driver of health with particularly unique features and challenges in rural communities. Beyond being an important driver of health for rural residents generally, transportation at the intersection of rurality and disability is especially vital. This case series examines how two rural organizations in Minnesota and Idaho provide transportation services to individuals with disabilities in their areas.

Key Findings:

• The United Community Action Partnership in Marshall, Minnesota provides accessible transportation through public transportation and volunteer driver services, as well as mobility management services to help individuals with disabilities coordinate transportation.
• Mountain Rides in Ketchum, Idaho provides accessible transportation to rural residents through their Americans with Disabilities Act services, as well as their Community Health Transit Program, which provides accessible transportation to medical appointments in neighboring cities for individuals with disabilities.

University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center

Katie Rydberg, Madeleine Pick, Mariana Tuttle, Sushma Shankar, Robert Barclay, Carrie Henning-Smith

Disabilities, Healthcare access, Social determinants of health, Transportation