Living with Disabilities in Rural Communities: Equity in Access

We are thrilled to share this guest article by Rural Pathways affiliate, Dr. Amy Murzyn.

Amy is an Associate Professor, Chair of Teacher Licensure, and Director of Special Education Programs at the College of St. Scholastica, with a doctorate in Teaching and Learning from the University of Minnesota. She brings extensive experience in program and project management, leading focus groups and using data-driven insights to enhance educational programs. Her expertise spans facilitation, constituent engagement, and the design of inclusive, impactful initiatives.

Connect with Amy on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Threads.

What do most young people want after high school? A chance to go to college or learn a trade. A meaningful job that pays the bills. A place to call their own. A way to be part of the community.

Young adults with disabilities want all of these things, too. But the path isn’t the same, especially in rural areas.

When discussing equity in access, we must also consider what is required to participate fully in life after high school. That means not only having opportunities available, but also having the necessary transportation, internet, and support systems in place to reach them. Without these basic resources, the door to adulthood doesn’t just stay closed; it disappears altogether.

A Wider Gap in Rural Communities

Nationally, people with disabilities are much less likely to be employed than those without disabilities—just 21.3% compared to 65.4%. They’re also less likely to enroll in postsecondary education (60.1% vs. 67.4%).

These numbers tell a story, but in rural communities, the story is even more complex to change. The lack of reliable transportation and broadband connectivity limits access to schools, jobs, healthcare, and independent living. These aren’t just inconveniences, they’re equity issues that require local and systemic solutions.

Transportation: The First Barrier

In rural areas, access starts with mobility. If you don’t have a driver's license, can’t afford a car, and there’s no bus, cab, or rideshare option, it’s nearly impossible to get to where you need to go.

This is the reality for many young adults with disabilities. They may want to go to college, get a job, volunteer, or visit a workforce center, but can’t.

Some families can offer rides, but not every household has the time, flexibility, or resources to do so. And once a student exits high school, transportation support often disappears. That leaves young adults isolated, cut off from community life, with limited access to further education, employment, healthcare, or even social connection.

Transportation is not just a service; it’s a lifeline. Without it, equity in access can’t exist.

Broadband: Disconnected by Default

Reliable internet is essential to modern life, but it’s not a given in Greater Minnesota. According to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, broadband subscription rates in metro counties are much higher (91.5%) than in Greater Minnesota (66.8%). In rural areas, 12% of households rely only on mobile data plans.

For rural residents with disabilities, this lack of reliable internet limits access to:

• Job applications and virtual training

• Remote learning options and higher education

• Telehealth, mental health services, and peer support

• Remote or hybrid work opportunities

In today’s world, no broadband means no participation. The result is fewer opportunities for growth, independence, and stability.

What’s Being Done and What You Can Do

There are some promising tools and resources available to help close these access gaps:

• The Rural Transportation Voucher Toolkit from the University of Montana’s Rural Institute shows how community partnerships can create flexible transportation support for people with disabilities.

• The Rural Transportation Toolkit from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers planning guides, funding sources, and best practices for rural transportation initiatives.

• Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program is actively expanding broadband infrastructure to underserved rural areas, laying the foundation for long-term digital equity.

If you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or community organization, you can help by:

• Advocating for expanded local transit and rideshare programs

• Hosting “tech access hubs” at libraries or schools

• Connecting youth and families with broadband subsidy programs

• Sharing stories that highlight the impact of these barriers, and the potential when they’re removed

Access Is More Than Availability

Let’s remember: access isn’t just about having options; it’s about having the means to reach them. If a young adult can’t physically or digitally access what they need to thrive, then we haven’t achieved equity.

In rural communities, the challenges are real. But with the right partnerships and creative solutions, we can build a future where access doesn’t depend on your ZIP code, and equity means everyone moves forward.

References

Taglag, K. (2023, August 23). What a Digitally Equitable Minnesota Could Look Like—And How to Get There. Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.    

Newman, L., Wagner, M., Knokey, A.-M., Marder, C., Nagle, K., Shaver, D., Wei, X., with Cameto, R., Contreras, E., Ferguson, K., Greene, S., & Schwarting, M. (2011). The Post-High School Outcomes of Young Adults With Disabilities up to 8 Years after High School. A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2).(NCSER 20113005). SRI International.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics Summary.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration. (2025). Rural Transportation Toolkit.

University of Montana. (2025). What is the Toolkit for Operating a Rural Transportation Voucher Program?