Kristina Kopic of the Ruderman Family Foundation in Boston says when self-driving cars are a reality, millions of people will have access to employment.
It's a big claim, but it's backed up by big numbers in their new White Paper Report. The same report says $19 million would be saved in health care costs when driver-less cars hit our roads.
- Report targets people with disabilities
- Read the full report by clicking here
The report targets people with disabilities, who because of their condition are unable to drive. Many of these people do not have adequate access to transit or transportation.
Michael Delancey of Pinellas County is one of those people. A veteran, Michael lost the use of his legs during battle in the Marine Corps.
"Well, I'll tell you, when I first got injured I had to rely on other people to drive me around," Delancey said. "It was sort of a pain in the neck because you've got to be conscientious of their schedule and things like that."
Kopic believes self-driving cars will end that struggle.
"Reliable transportation, in this case which could be brought on by autonomous vehicles, self-driving cars is essential to fully integrate people with disabilities into society," Kopic said.
The purpose of the report is to remind car makers who they can serve before these cars are on our roads, and to develop the technology in a way that includes everyone.
The full report by the Ruderman Family Foundation can be found on their website.