New Wheels, New Opportunities: Accessible Transportation with Purpose

You might soon spot a splash of blue and green making its way through Strathcona County — it’s our newly wrapped, wheelchair-accessible passenger van, now in service at Aspen Village, our supportive housing community for people with complex needs.

This van is a vital tool for connection and care. For those we support, getting from place to place is only part of the story —transportation makes it possible to stay connected, attend appointments, and be part of the world around them.

This wheelchair-accessible passenger van helps fill a critical gap in local para-transportation. Public options like the Strathcona County Mobility Bus are limited in scope, especially when it comes to getting people to out-of-region medical appointments — for example, to specialists at Edmonton-based facilities. For individuals with complex needs, the cost and logistics of arranging transportation can be a major barrier.

That’s where RHA’s Transportation Service steps in.

This van will primarily support adults with complex needs who require accessible, dependable transportation. Reliable transport means greater inclusion and ensures no one is excluded from opportunities or essential care simply because they can’t get there.

We’re incredibly grateful to the partners who helped make this van possible:

• Air Products – for supporting the purchase of the van and fully funding its vibrant, custom RHA wrap.

• Blue Goose International (Edmonton Pond) – for their generous contribution.

• A private donor – whose support helped bring this project to life.

We’d also like to thank William Huff Advertising Ltd., whose team brought the design to life with creativity and care. The wrap features real people from our programs — their smiles capturing the pride, resilience, and diversity of our community.

This van represents more than mobility. It reflects dignity, independence, and the power of partnerships.

Thank you to everyone who helped us take this important step forward.