Background – Why are we here?

2005 SILC Statewide study: lack of mobility tied for 2nd place in problems faced personally by people with disabilities

44% of Idaho households had at least one member with a disability.  Of those households, nearly one third of respondents indicated that transportation is inadequate for their needs 

Focus groups for 2008-2010 SPIL ranked lack of transportation options most significant barrier to independence

Many people with disabilities are isolated in their own homes or in institutions due to lack of transportation

Background

2007 Idaho IL Conference “Transportation in Idaho” Report Lack of service evenings and weekends Taxicabs expensive and rarely

accessible No options at all in many rural

communities Significant barriers exist in all

geographical areas of the state

Overview

Three-year project 11 full time and 12 quarter time

members statewide Create local accessible

transportation network in each region to develop action plan

Implement regional transportation action plan

Create new transportation options

Host Sites

Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Boise

Living Independence Network Corp. (LINC) in Boise, Twin Falls, Caldwell

LIFE in Burley, Blackfoot, ID Falls and Pocatello

Disability Action Center NW in Moscow, Lewiston and CDA

State Independent Living Council in Boise

Americorps Proposal

3 year project: Year 1: Develop local Transportation

Advisory Networks made up of people with disabilities and stakeholders

Identify and evaluate barriers Identify possible solutions & funding

sources Create Transportation Action Plan Begin applying for funding in each

region

Other Goals

Inclusion of people with disabilities into AmeriCorps; a majority of our members have disabilities

A training ground for people who may have never held a job before; 4 members under 20

Opportunities for people with disabilities to give back

YEAR ONE Accomplishments

Easter Seals Project ActionAccessible Community Transportation InstituteJuly 12-15, 2009

Two teams from Idaho AmeriCorps members selected, includingCaldwell site member and Lewiston site member.

CompetitiveSelections

Project Action Communities on the Move: Using All Transportation Options (ADA and beyond…)

Boise was selected as one of six training sites out of 38 applicants

Easter Seals Project Action delivered customized training in Boise to all AmeriCorps members and transportation stakeholders

Mobility Institute Treasure Valley Team

Service Projects Ada County Library

Braille Literacy Project

Service ProjectsHabitat for Humanity Lewiston Site

Service ProjectsRonald McDonald House Boise

Sponsor a Bus Bench ProgramCDA, Idaho

New bus routes in CDA will give people with disabilities more options and make connections between small rural communities a reality

Voucher Programs

Twin Falls – Awarded $138,221 Expanded Voucher Program Court Voucher Program Recreation Voucher ProgramLINC Caldwell – Awarded $46,194 Canyon County and surrounding

counties Voucher Program

ogram

Client obtains vouchers from

Rides or Agency

Client pays Provider with

vouchers

Provider submits vouchers for

payment

Voucher Flow

Twin Falls Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Awarded $62,000 in ARRA funds for ADA Para-transit Van

Treasure Valley Urban and Rural Accessible Taxi Program

Local members have been collaboratingwith ValleyRegionalTransitto developa modelAccessibleTaxiProgram

Treasure Valley Urban and Rural -Two Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

The SILC was Awarded $74,000 in ARRA funds fortwo vehicles;Transferred toVRT

Quarter Time Boise Members Summer of Service Projects

Green Expo Booth highlighting public transportation for people with disabilities

Quarter Time Boise Members Summer of Service Projects

Partnership with MIG Grant allowed creation of an online trip planner

Software contractor hired Intercity Specific to people with disabilities Partnership with transportation

entities to determine placement

Lessons Learned

Members often work better in teams Some host sites have more capacity

than others to support members (changes to host sites)

Job descriptions tailored to the host site make more sense

Communication between host sites and SILC must be regular and frequent

Members need to closely track hours

Opportunities

Building Community/Relationships Getting more people with

disabilities involved in the Independent Living movement

Impact on issue Interface with other transportation

efforts (Idaho Mobility Access Pathway or IMAP)

ARRA stimulus money

Having a good time is one of our greatest accomplishments!

Resources

Easter Seals Project Actionhttp://www.projectaction.easterseals.com

New Freedom Initiativewww.disabilityinfo.gov

National Service Inclusion Projecthttp://communityinclusion.org

Idaho SILC: www.silc.idaho.gov