WWW.PROJECTACTION.ORG

Community Outreach: Including Peoplewith Disabilities & Older Adults in thePlanning Process

Rachel BeyerleResources & Publications Manager

Easter Seals Project ACTION Washington, D.C.

NADO Burlington ■

April 25, 2012

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Easter Seals Project ACTION & the National Center on Senior Transportation

Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation)Promoting cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community since 1988

Increasing mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond through training, technical assistance, and resources

Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration

National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) Increasing transportation options for older adults and enhancing their ability to live more independently within their communities

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Four Core Activities

• Training– In-person– Distance Learning

• Technical Assistance– Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative

• Research

• Outreach

– Website & newsletters– Publications and resource materials

ESPA Coalition Event 2011

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Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) resources that support an inclusive planning process:

Rural Transportation Topic Guide SeriesTopic Guide #1: Assessing the Need for New Accessible Transportation Service in Rural Communities

Including People with Disabilities: Communication & Meeting Etiquette

Effective Transportation Advisory Committees: Creating a Group that Reflects All Community Voices

New Resources

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Rural Transportation Topic Guide Series

Pedbikeimages.org / Laura Sandt 2006

• Developed in partnership with the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) and NCST– Information to help rural communities address

their transportation needs – Focus on transportation access for people

with disabilities and older adults• Available Now:

– Series Introduction – Easters Seals Project ACTION’s guide

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Rural Series Introduction

Fast Facts about Rural America PopulationDiversityGeographyTransitRural Economy

11 million people with disabilities live in rural areas. (2000 Census)Older adults comprise more than two-thirds of rural area residents. (2003, Brookings Institution) 38% of rural residents live in areas with no public transportation. (2011 RUPRI)

Riggins, ID 2011

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ESPA Rural Topic Guide #1

Community Assessments and Gap Analysis Studies• Uses examples from Adirondacks, Connecticut and Humboldt

County, California

• Identify existing transportation services and providers

• Examine service, funding and resource needs

• Determine gaps between needs and available services

• Use information to develop an action plan to address the gaps

Clark County, WA 2011

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Key Stakeholders in the Planning Process• People with disabilities and older adults

• High school and college students

• Modal transportation providers (bus, van and taxi operators; volunteer drivers; intercity bus; school transportation; paratransit; and rail)

• Bicycle/pedestrian advocates, county engineering/transportation staff, state transportation representatives, and locally elected officials

• School administrators, community services (social, aging, recreation) and regional healthcare providers

• Major employers, faith leaders, center for independent living, mobility managers

• Housing authority representatives

Bexar Co., TX 2011

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Communication & Meeting EtiquettePocket Guide

• Information and tips on respectful language

• Covers conversation, interview and meeting scenarios

• Considerations for creating an accessible meeting space for individuals with physical disabilities

• Considerations for those who are deaf or hard of hearing or for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments

• Use of people-first language in writing and media relations

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Effective Transportation Advisory Committees: Creating a Group that Reflects All Community Voices

“Nothing about us without us.”

Reflect the community’s makeup by involving people of different ages, ethnicities, socio-economic

backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

Photo: National Complete Streets Coalition

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Improve Accessibility of Advisory Committees

• Coordinate with other agencies and among your own staff to establish outreach that is inclusive, welcoming and accessible

• Meet in a physically accessible space served by public transportation

• Meet at times and in locations accessible to minority, low-income, and limited English-proficient populations (i.e., during off-peak times and in community facilities)

• Use rooms large enough to accommodate participants using mobility aids

Pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden, 2006

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Improve Accessibility of Advisory Committees

• Ensure meetings are accessible to everyone by: – Providing materials in alternative formats (e.g. plain text, braille,

CD)– Providing assistive listening devices and sign language

interpreters, if needed – Reading aloud all text on presentation slides– Providing a nearby relief area for service animals

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Creating Accessible Communities and involving Older Adults and People with Disabilities in the Planning Process…

• Assists 36 million people with disabilities in U.S. to live in an independent environment

• Narrows the employment gap (39% employment rate for people with disabilities/80% for those without)

• Helps maintain health and wellness

• Reduces traffic and pedestrian fatalities

• Provides safe mobility for seniors

• Boosts economic and social vitality, protects the environment

& enhances community engagement

Statistics: 2008 American Community Survey; Photo: Pedbikeimages.org / Jan Moser 2009

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Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative

• Held annually by competitive application; 10 communities in 2012

• Consists of a 2-day event with 1 year of follow-up technical assistance

• Helps communities identify urgent transportation issues and identify community leaders and advocates

• Helps define a community vision

• Helps develop a transportation plan

• Community learns ways to continue to grow their coalition in the future

King County WA, 2010

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Accessible Transportation Coalitions in Action

A few examples from the past two years….• Allen County, OH – Developed a database of transportation

providers and services for a new one-stop call center

• King County, WA – Developed outreach programs to get transportation information to individuals with limited incomes, refugees, and people with limited English proficiency

• Corpus Christi, TX – Focusing on expandings days and hours of service and accessible pathways and infrastructure

• Middlesex County, NJ – Establishing transportation options for senior communities

Allen County, OH 2010

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Contact Us

• Explore our resources at www.projectaction.org

• Sign up for a distance learning event

• Call for technical assistance at (800) 659-6428

Rachel Beyerle, Resources & Publications ManagerEaster Seals Project ACTION 1425 K Street NW, Suite 200 • Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 347-3066 or (800) 659-6428

TTY (202) 347-7385

rbeyerle@easterseals.com