Mobility Is Medicine: The Need for Reliable Transportation in Suburban Chicago
It’s hard to believe that just in the greater Chicago area alone, hundreds of thousands of residents face mobility challenges that impact not just their daily lives, but their access to critical recurring medical care — including physical/occupational therapy, dialysis, oncology, and pain management appointments. Patients continue to struggle to find a ride for health and medical reasons.
Getting a wheelchair-using patient to and from appointments safely and on time is a constant logistical hurdle. And in the suburbs around Chicago — from Naperville to Schaumburg, Arlington Heights to Oak Lawn — public transit options are limited or unreliable and taxis are not equipped to transport people with disabilities.
That’s where BriteLift comes in.
Did you know…
Over 520,000 Chicagoland residents, approximately 10.1 percent of the total population, reported having a disability.
By age in the Chicagoland area:
- 1 percent of children under 5 have disabilities
- 4 percent of children 5 to 17 have disabilities
- 5 percent of people 18 to 34 have disabilities
- 10 percent of people 35 to 64 have disabilities
- 23 percent of people 65 to 74 have disabilities
- 43 percent of adults 75 and older have disabilities
Source: Chicago.gov
BriteLift: Chicago's Trusted Partner for a Wheelchair-Friendly Ride for Health
BriteLift, Chicago’s top transportation broker, specializes in non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for wheelchair users and other patients with mobility needs. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and care providers, BriteLift ensures safe, punctual, and compassionate rides across the suburbs surrounding Chicago.
Whether it’s weekly physical therapy, routine cancer treatments, or specialist follow-ups, we help people maintain their independence and health — without the transportation stress.
Why Ongoing Medical Appointments Demand More Than a Taxi
Patients with disabilities often have recurring appointments such as:
- Dialysis (3x/week)
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Wound care or post-surgical follow-ups
- Pain management injections
- Behavioral therapy or counseling
- Specialist evaluations and diagnostics
These aren’t one-time trips — they’re part of a patient’s long-term care plan. And they require a partner who understands:
- Time-sensitive scheduling
- Proper wheelchair securement
- Assistance at pickup and drop-off points (door-through-door)
- Communication with families, case managers, and medical staff
That’s why families, medical facilities, and discharge planners across the Chicago suburbs turn to BriteLift.
Who Benefits from BriteLift’s Services?
Here are just some of the patients and providers who rely on us:
Patients:
- People recovering from strokes or surgery
- Dialysis or cancer patients with weak immune systems
- Adults or children with cerebral palsy, MS, or muscular dystrophy
- Individuals with spinal cord injuries
- Seniors with limited mobility or recent falls
- Veterans with service-related injuries
- Children and adults with special needs and developmental disabilities
Families:
- Loved ones arranging recurring appointments for elderly parents
- Caregivers balancing work and logistics
- Out-of-town family coordinating care remotely
Medical Teams:
- Hospitals and rehab centers
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
- Assisted living and memory care communities
- Therapy centers and specialty clinics
- Home health and hospice providers
Service Areas: Connecting Suburban Communities to the Care They Need
BriteLift serves wheelchair users across the suburbs of Chicago, including but not limited to:
- Naperville
- Schaumburg
- Arlington Heights
- Skokie
- Oak Lawn
- Evanston
- Orland Park
- Des Plaines
- Tinley Park
- Park Ridge
- Downers Grove
- Elgin
- Glenview
Whether the patient lives at home, in a facility, or needs a transfer between medical centers — we’ve got you covered.
Book Recurring Medical Transportation the Easy Way
Setting up recurring rides with BriteLift is simple:
Our Vehicles
BriteLift vans can accommodate wheelchair users comfortably with an easy load ramp from the rear, with a mechanism to secure the wheelchair ensuring passenger safety. Even better, additional passengers (additional wheelchair user or ambulatory passengers) ride free!
It’s important to note, however, vehicle appearance may vary depending on availability. BriteLift is a transportation broker, with rides fulfilled by independently owned transportation service providers.
The BriteLift App: Convenient, Accessible Ride Booking in the Palm of Your Hand
For patients, families, and care teams managing recurring medical appointments, the BriteLift App offers a simple, reliable way to schedule and manage wheelchair-accessible transportation — anytime, anywhere.
Available on both iOS and Android, the app is built to meet the needs of users with mobility challenges as well as those coordinating care for others. Whether you’re a family caregiver arranging rides for a loved one or a medical facility managing multiple appointments, the app puts you in control.
Key Features:
- Book One-Time or Recurring Rides
Schedule wheelchair-friendly transportation for therapy, dialysis, check-ups, and other essential appointments with just a few taps.
- Real-Time Tracking
View the location of your BriteLift vehicle in real time, so you always know when it’s arriving.
- Ride Details and Notifications
Receive ride information and timely updates, keeping you informed every step of the way.
- Easy Appointment Management
Modify, reschedule, or cancel rides directly from your mobile device without having to call.
By putting reliable non-emergency transportation at your fingertips, the BriteLift App helps ensure that patients in Chicago suburbs get the care they need, when they need it — without the logistical headaches.
Partnering with Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities to Support Patient Outcomes
Getting to an appointment shouldn’t be a barrier to recovery — but for many patients with mobility challenges, transportation can be one of the biggest obstacles to consistent care. That’s why BriteLift works closely with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and outpatient clinics to ensure patients arrive safely and on time for the medical services that help them heal.
From discharge planning to ongoing therapy sessions, BriteLift provides professional, reliable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) that healthcare teams trust. Our dedicated phone line and booking tools allow case managers, discharge nurses, and administrative staff to easily book, track, and manage rides — without burdening the patient or their family.
Supporting Continuity of Care
Missed appointments can delay recovery, increase readmission risks, and complicate treatment plans. BriteLift helps solve this by:
- Ensuring patients make it to recurring treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, wound care, or physical therapy
- Reducing no-shows and late arrivals, which supports better clinical outcomes and scheduling efficiency
- Facilitating safe, assisted transitions between hospitals, rehab facilities, and outpatient services
Who We Work With:
- Hospitals and discharge departments
- Rehabilitation centers
- Assisted living and memory care communities
- Outpatient specialty clinics
- Home health and hospice agencies
- Medical social workers and care coordinators
Together with our healthcare partners, BriteLift helps patients stay on track — and on the road to better health.
Empowering Mobility, Enhancing Lives
At BriteLift, we believe mobility is a form of dignity. When people can reliably access the therapy and care they need, they heal better — and live better.
If you’re a patient, family caregiver, case manager, or healthcare provider looking for a dependable partner in medical transportation, BriteLift is ready to help.
Ready to Schedule?
Call us at (847) 792-1212, download the BriteLift App, or book online for recurring medical transportation today.
