Introduction

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) awarded $490,000 in implementation grants to communities in seven states – Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island to implement innovative projects for equitable and accessible transportation to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, especially older adults and people with disabilities from diverse communities. Each grantee received up to $70,000 under the NADTC 2022 Equity and Accessibility Implementation grant to implement a project which addresses a need identified in the planning phase. These grants were completed at the end of July, 2023. Each grantee provided a final presentation, describing the outcomes and impact of their project. Below is a summary of each project and links to their final presentations. The recording and full slide deck from the final presentations as well as a report summarizing the lessons learned can be found below.

2022 Grantees

Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut – North Haven, CT

Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut

This project brought to life a medical chaperone program that targeted people living in high-need, inner-city communities in greater New Haven. Volunteers were recruited and trained to accompany individuals to medical appointments using local partner transportation programs or other transportation providers. The goal was to reduce missed medical appointments, improve social connections and reduce burden for family caregivers. Through the grant period, 17 volunteer chaperones were recruited and trained and 112 round-trips rides were fulfilled.

Final Presentation from Agency on Aging of SC Connecticut

Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc. – Albany, NY

Colonie Senior Services Center, Inc.

Colonie Senior Service Centers expanded their existing transportation services to include two additional, underserved communities which are home to many individuals with diverse backgrounds and limited incomes. The project utilized the vehicles and registration process that are already a part of their transportation department which provides demand-response, door to door service to older adults within a defined communities near Albany, NY.  The project was guided by an advisory committee and included ongoing community engagement to ensure the services were meeting identified needs. Transportation was provided to 70 new riders to destinations such as medical facilities, shopping centers and English language classes.

Final Presentation from Colonie Senior Service Centers

HIRTA Public Transit – Urbandale, IA

HIRTA, Perry, IA

HIRTA received input during their NADTC planning grant that rides were not being scheduled due to a language barrier. They also heard a desire for more on-demand transportation services as well as increased access to transportation during evenings and on weekends.  Their project responded to this information by creating an online portal that will enable rides to be scheduled in 99 languages. They also worked to establish relationships with third party providers to provide on-demand transportation beyond weekday hours for diverse older adults and people with disabilities.

Final Presentation from HIRTA

North Central New Mexico Economic Development District – Santa Fe, NM

North Central NM Economic Development District

North Central New Mexico Economic Development piloted a volunteer driver program (VDP) in two rural communities in north central New Mexico. They worked closely with local partners and a steering committee to tackle challenges such as unreliable phone and internet services, geographically hard-to-reach areas, and gaps in understanding how to use smartphones. In addition to the VDP, they developed a website and brochure of area transportation options and held technology education workshops, teaching individuals how to use smart phones and other devices. The outcome of the project was an increase in access to transportation information and also helped address social isolation.

Final presentation from North Central New Mexico Economic Development District

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments – Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, with the help of several partner agencies, developed and implemented an on-demand transportation program that served under-represented groups who depend on specialized transit services. The pilot program provided same-day rides within a 7-mile radius, 7 days per week, at no cost to participants. They also created a comprehensive mobility guide intended to provide a road map of transportation options available to communities across the region.

Final Presentation from Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

Rhode Island College Foundation – Age Friendly RI – Providence, RI

Donavan Manor, Newport, RI

Age Friendly Rhode Island, in partnership with Rhode Island College Foundation and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, worked with Looking Upwards, a nonprofit service organization, to pilot a vehicle sharing program to expand transportation services to the residents living in Newport’s North End, a historically underserved area. Looking Upwards designated one of their vehicles to be used for the project and hired a driver and scheduler to manage the rides which were provided at no cost to the riders. By closely working with Newport Housing Authority, this unique transportation program primarily served residents in a housing complex who had little access to affordable transportation. One key to the success of the program was developing and maintaining relationships with the “influencers” of the housing complex and other significant community partners.

Final Presentation from Age-Friendly RI

Ride Connection, Inc. – Portland, OR

Ride Connection

Ride Connection’s project focused on developed lasting partnerships with organizations who support diverse individuals to expand and increase the availability of rides to meet the needs of these diverse communities. With careful attention to cultural inclusivity, they coordinated a community-based steering committee, hired a bi-lingual staff person, recruited bi-lingual volunteer drivers and engaged community members throughout the planning and implementation process, translating surveys into 4 languages. The project included providing technical assistance and program management to enhance mobility options for diverse older adults and people with disabilities.

Final Presentation from Ride Connection

2022 Equity and Accessibility Implementation Grants Final Presentations

• Recording of Final Presentations
• Final Presentation – All PowerPoint Slides

Additional Documents

• Equity and Accessibility Grants–Lessons Learned