News Updates

Faces of the RTP: Ben Chargott, client success and training specialist at Access Living

Ben Chargott relies on public transit not just for convenience, but for independence. As a staff member at Access Living — a disability rights organization — with a visual impairment, Ben navigates Chicago using the CTA alongside his guide dog Keating. He relies on features like audible announcements, tactile warning strips, and accessible station design to travel safely and confidently. His daily commute on the Brown Line connects him to work, colleagues, and the broader city without assistance. Ben points to the need for more consistent accessibility features, including additional elevators and clearer real-time communication. His experience underscores that a truly effective transportation system is one that works for everyone — enabling independence, dignity, and equal access to opportunity.

“Public transit gives me independence — I can get where I need to go on my own.”

— Ben Chargott