Is There an Empty Seat for Me? Multiple Perspectives on Transportation of Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, cilt.39, sa.5, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 39 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/jar.70308
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: intellectual and developmental disabilities, interview, transportation
- İstanbul Kültür Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Independent use of public transportation is an important living skill for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Although public transportation can provide an affordable means of mobility in many urban settings, using it requires complex cognitive, social, and functional skills before, during, and after travel. Method: This qualitative study explored the transportation experiences of young adults with intellectual disabilities living in Istanbul, Turkiye. We conducted 16 individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities between the ages of 21 and 28 and interviewed their parents separately. We also interviewed three paratransit vehicle drivers to incorporate different perspectives. Results: Five themes came into focus: desire of independence, safety, accompaniment, barriers for transportation, and systematic instruction. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need to move beyond viewing transportation solely as a matter of physical accessibility and to consider the cognitive, social, and instructional dimensions that shape everyday mobility experiences.