1. Informing People Through Outreach and Organization	Print Section 1A (338KB)
1.A - Including People Who Are Underserved by Transportation 1.A.a - Ethnic, Minority, and Low-Income Groups 1.A.b - People with Disabilities	1. Introduction 1.A 1.B 1.C 1.D

1. A - Including People Who are Underserved¹ by Transportation

Public involvement needs to encompass the full range of community interests, yet people underserved by transportation often do not participate. They not only have greater difficulty getting to jobs, schools, recreation, and shopping than the population at large, but often they are also unaware of transportation proposals that could dramatically change their lives. Many lack experience with public involvement, even though they have important, unspoken issues that should be heard.

These groups are a rich source of ideas that can improve transportation not only for themselves but also for the entire community. Agencies must assume responsibility for reaching out and including them in the decision-making process—which requires strategic thinking and tailoring public involvement efforts to these communities and their needs. Techniques are grouped here under two headings:

• Ethnic, minority, and low-income groups; and
• People with disabilities.

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