Whether you commute to work by driving or taking a metro or a bus, you probably take for granted that, however long your commute may be, at least it’s generally feasible. For Americans in the disabled community, that’s not always the case.

Traditional options, such as paratransit, make commuting difficult and inflexible for people with disabilities. They can weigh on taxpayers as well — for decades they have weighed on the budget of the Washington, D.C., Metro system. In this sphere, innovations are much needed.