All Aboard! the Role of Allied Health Professionals in Accessible Transportation 1160

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Location: ROOM: Conference Room 4E >>> DIRECTIONS Fourth Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Room 4E is to the left just past the Pullman Boardroom.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Robbie Kuchler O'Shea, PT, DPT, PhD (she/her/hers)

Professor Emeritus
Governors State University
Countryside, IL, United States

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Laura Lenhart, PT, DPT, NCS

University Lecturer/ Co-Director of Clinical Education
Governors State University
Chicago, IL, United States
Luther King, DrOT, OTR/L, MOT, CDRS (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
Governors State University
University Park, IL, United States

Traditionally, rehabilitation occurs within the four walls of a clinic or hospital. However, should our responsibility as health professionals be limited to the physical space in which we provide treatment, or does our responsibility to care for the whole person require us to address issues faced by our clients in all life venues? Inaccessible and untimely transportation is a barrier faced by many individuals in the United States (Wolfe et al, 2020). Though far from common practice, there are many ways for the allied health professional to step in and take the wheel when it comes to advocating for accessible transportation. This course will explore the current state of transportation in Illinois and discuss ways the practicing allied health professional can engage in advocacy.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss three common barriers individuals with disabilities face when seeking accessible transportation.
Identify three ways the allied health professional can engage in advocacy related to accessible transportation.
Determine available transportation options available to your patients.