Disability Advocacy in a Rural Community: North Clark County

For many people living in rural communities, disability is not a hypothetical scenario. It is a daily reality shaped by long distances, limited resources, and transportation systems that can leave people behind. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that disability rates are significantly higher in rural areas than in urban ones, meaning the challenges facing residents of North Clark County are both common and deeply felt. In towns like Battle Ground, Yacolt, Amboy, Hockinson, and La Center, disability advocacy is making independence more achievable.

In rural regions, distance can become a barrier to essentials: medical appointments, groceries, employment, and community participation. Studies from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services show that rural residents with disabilities face an excessive number of challenges in accessing specialized medical care. Consistent transportation and timely support are also major obstacles. For many residents, even a simple doctor’s visit may require navigating miles of rural roads with no fixed-route bus service in sight.

Transportation remains one of the most urgent issues for rural residents with disabilities, but local solutions are making a meaningful difference. Community in Motion (CIM) operates programs designed to fill gaps where public transit doesn’t reach, often serving areas beyond C-TRAN’s fixed-route service. The North County Shuttle Service provides flexible rides throughout rural North Clark County, helping residents reach medical appointments, shopping centers, and community events. Volunteers in Motion connects older adults (65+) and younger adults who cannot drive due to disability with trained volunteer drivers for personalized, door-to-door service. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation ensures Medicaid-eligible clients can safely attend healthcare appointments at no cost, while Reserve-a-Ride focuses primarily on trips to life-sustaining treatments like dialysis and cancer care. CIM also helps residents maintain employment through its Employment Transportation program, removing barriers to employment and job-related activities locally and nearby.

These programs are made possible by dedicated staff, volunteer drivers, and community partners who understand that expanding independence for rural residents requires more than transportation. It requires collaboration, compassion, and planning with everyone in mind. By stepping in to serve areas beyond traditional transit routes, CIM ensures that residents of smaller towns like Yacolt, Amboy, and La Center are not left behind.

Ensuring that everyone can access essential services and participate in their communities is not just the responsibility of organizations and governments. It is a community effort. Residents of rural North Clark County can play an active role by supporting local programs, volunteering to drive, helping a neighbor get to appointments, or advocating for policies that prioritize rural transportation and access to essential services like healthcare. Every action helps expand independence, connection, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

By getting involved, the community can ensure that rural disability advocacy continues to grow and that independence is not a privilege but a reality for all residents of North Clark County. Together, we can create a region where transportation, healthcare, and community participation are available to everyone, no matter where they live.

-Written by Community in Motion Staff, Published in Greet Magazine serving Battle Ground and Hockinson