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TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSITION
Oregon Youth Transition ConferenceFebruary 19, 2015Hood River, Oregon
WHY TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSITIONFocus on independence and post-school life
Once students are out of school, they absolutely will have places to go and planning for transportation as part of the transition process is of the utmost importance
Connecting students with their local transportation options, and promoting the use of these options independently sets the student up for success
BARRIERS
Potential barriers to independent travel:
Parents and caregivers
Mindset
Transit Access and Environmental Factors
IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT TRAVEL Tremendous benefits to:
Individual
Family and Support Network
Community Overall
WHAT DOES INDEPENDENT TRAVEL MEAN? May mean a using any mode of transportation alone
Successfully arranging/planning for their transportation and taking that trip independently
It could mean successfully riding public transportation on a route they have been taught by parents, teachers, travel trainers
Independent travel may mean looking up a trip plan, and executing a trip with no intervention from supports whatsoever
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Dependent on where you live
May mean you have more options than you know
what to do with, just enough to get your needs
met, or not enough
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATIONWalking
Cycling
Transit
Paratransit
WALKING A great option for traveling within your community
Often the first opportunity for independent travel
Great for short trips, and being a pedestrian is a requisite skill for taking public transportation
Building good pedestrian skills
WALKING PROS AND CONS
PROS
Health benefits
Saves money
See all kinds of things you wouldn’t see otherwise
CONS
Need safe, accessible routes with well marked street crossings
Weather
Distance
CYCLING
Safer in some communities than others
Great option for short trips, or trips to pick up and drop off a few things
CYCLING PROS AND CONS
PROS
Great health benefits
Most people have a bike lying around, and if you don’t, they are fairly easy to come by
Appropriate mode for trips that it may be too far to walk
CONS
Requires “gear” – helmet, light, bike
Not the most accessible mode
Bike lanes and safe bike riding skills are absolutely necessary
TRANSIT
A good fit for most people and many trips
TRANSIT PROS AND CONS
PROS
Low cost
Spontaniety
Great people watching
Service area – can get you almost anywhere (if you live in a well served community)
CONS
Weather
Walking distance and accessibility of route to the stop
Homework: you have to plan ahead
Service availability
TRAVEL TRAINING
One-to-one short term instruction provided to an individual who has previously traveled in dependently and needs additional training or support to use a different mode of travel, a different route, mode of transit, or travel to a new destination; or
One-to-one comprehensive, specially designed instruction in the skills and behaviors necessary for independent travel on public transportation provided to an individual who does not have independent travel concepts or skills to go from point of origin of trip to destination and back.
Definition from the Association of Travel Instruction
WHAT THIS MEANS
For You
More freedom and independence for your students
Less time providing transportation
Lower transportation costs
For your Students
Inclusive
Lower transportation costs
Freedom
Independence
Spontaneity
COMPLIMENTARY ADA PARATRANSIT Provided by local public transportation agencies
Federally mandated
Designed to be the “safety net”
COMMON PARATRANSIT MYTHS “Automatic Eligibility” Some people believe that certain types of disabilities will automatically qualify someone
It’s like a taxi service Paratransit is not a same day service
Individual ride Paratransit is still public transportation
Inexpensive Actual cost to the area is closer to $31 In terms of transit, this is the most expensive ride a consumer can buy
WHO QUALIFIES?
The Americans with Disabilities Act states that paratransit is available to those who, because of disability, can’t independently board, disembark, or navigate the fixed-route system for some or all of their trips.
In short, it’s reserved for use by people who lack the functional ability to ride the bus or rail systems…
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS
Application with professional verification
Sometimes In-person interview
Sometimes a functional assessment with the possibility of a cognitive assessment
21 day window in which to determine eligibility
PARATRANSIT PROS AND CONSPROS
Guaranteed ride
No transfers
Cheaper for the rider than a taxi
May be the only option left
CONS
Length of trip
Limited service hours, depending on where you live
Lost the ability to choose/change your mind
Pick-up window
Highest cost to regional transit system
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Check and see if there is a Mobility Manager in your area who is already facilitating the coordination and interconnection of local and regional transportation options
Setting the students up for successful independent travel while they are in your program allows for them to come and go as they please once they have made their transition to post-school life
RESOURCES FOR FOLLOW-UPArea Commissions on Transportation
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/Pages/act_main.aspx
Association of Travel Instruction
http://www.travelinstruction.org/
Northwest ADA Center
http://nwadacenter.org/toolkit/transportation
RESOURCES
Oregon Walks
http://oregonwalks.org/resources/who-contact
Oregon Bike Manual
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/bike_manual.pdf
Public Transit in Oregon
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/PT/Pages/trips.aspx#loca
RESOURCES
Smart Trips – City of Portland
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/59969
Statewide Public Transportation Services
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/PT/Pages/trips.aspx#statewide
United States Access Board
http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation
CONTACT
Christina Cooper
RideWise Outreach Specialist
503.528.1748
www.rideconnection.org
www.theridersvoice.org
