FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Carol Wright Kenderdine
NADTC Co-Director
Easterseals
Phone: (701) 490-1197
Virginia Dize
NADTC Co-Director
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Phone: (202) 872-0888
October 22, 2020, WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) has announced that it has awarded $284,898 in competitive grants to communities in 10 states—Alabama, California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington State—to implement innovative projects that will remove barriers to transportation and expand mobility options for older adults and people with disabilities.
The 10 Innovations in Mobility grantees will each receive grants of up to $30,000 to fully launch transportation programs that address the needs of older adults and people with disabilities living in their communities. Unique to this year’s grant recipients is the unprecedented opportunity they, with funding from NADTC, have to support the roll-out of new transportation approaches targeted to older adults and people with disabilities as their communities grapple with, and begin to emerge from, the COVID-19 pandemic. The end goal for these grantees is the creation of sustainable and replicable innovations that result in increased availability of accessible transportation.
“Accessible and affordable transportation is key to support the health and well-being of older adults and their ability to live at home and in the community. Yet ensuring the availability of adequate transportation in communities is a major challenge,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “The Aging Network has long recognized that older adults who have mobility limitations struggle to stay connected to their communities. Our members, and as a result our work, are at the forefront of efforts to expand transportation options for all.”
“As part of our mission to eliminate barriers to full inclusion and participation for people with disabilities, we’re committed to helping people get where they need and want to go via accessible transportation,” said Angela Williams, President and CEO, of Easterseals. “We are excited that the NADTC grants will increase accessible transportation options, making it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to maintain their health and nutrition, as well as social interaction and a sense of well-being in their communities.”
The Innovations in Mobility grantees are:
- Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens in Cedar Bluff, VA seeks to increase the availability and accessibility of transportation for older adults receiving medical treatment for chronic conditions. The transportation program will provide individuals residing in the four-county service area with reliable transportation to medical appointments. Transportation will be provided to dialysis three days a week and cancer centers two to three days a week. Visit www.aasc.org to learn more about this grantee.
- Capacity Builders in Farmington, NM will provide transportation information to empower older adults and individuals with disabilities living in rural and tribal areas of San Juan County to become self-reliant in accessing transportation services. Visit www.capacitybuilders.info to learn more about this grantee.
- The City of Talladega, AL will extend the hours of operation during the week and add Saturday hours to better connect older adults and people with disabilities with transportation to shopping, dining and other leisure activities. The grant will also provide the community’s blind residents who work at the Industries for the Blind more options after work hours. Visit www.talladega.com to learn more about this grantee.
- Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. in Concord, NH will create a cohesive marketing and branding plan to attract attention, and promote professionalism and trust following the merger of Concord Area Transit and the Rural Transportation System into one transit system. Visit www.bm-cap.org to learn more about this grantee.
- Horizon Health, Inc., in Pierz, MN will provide transportation services to adults with disabilities and those in need who struggle with transportation insecurities in the rural county, market the service, reimburse volunteers’ mileage, recruit new volunteers and offer a free to low-cost sliding fee scale for transportation. Visit www.horizonhealthservices.org to learn more about this grantee.
- Laurens County Disabilities & Special Needs Board (LSDCN) in Laurens, SC will improve customer service, increase organizational cooperation and expand access to transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, special needs consumers, caregivers and families. Visit www.lcdsnb.org to learn more about this grantee.
- Mountain Rides Transportation Authority in Ketchum, ID will establish a fixed-route Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) bus service that connects the rural communities in south-central Idaho to essential medical facilities in the City of Twin Falls. Visit www.mountainrides.org to learn more about this grantee.
- Molly’s Angels in Napa, CA will provide free transportation to and from medical appointments for low-income older adults in rural areas of Napa County where public transportation is either not available or has limited availability, and the targeted population has difficulties accessing transportation because of frailty, dementia and physical or mental disabilities. Visit www.mollysangels.com to learn more about this grantee.
- San Juan County Islands Shuttle in Friday Harbor, WA will expand daily availability of shuttle hours to the vulnerable population on San Juan Island, making earlier and later trips available daily to residents of rural San Juan County. Visit www.sanjuantransit.com to learn more about this grantee.
- Thrive Allen County in Iola, KS will provide Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services to Allen County residents to increase the availability and accessibility of transportation in the community, and expand current mobility options for older adults and people with disabilities. Visit www.thriveallencounty.org to learn more about this grantee.
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center is funded through a cooperative agreement of Easterseals, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. NADTC’s mission is to increase accessible transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers nationwide.
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the more than 250 Title VI Native American aging programs. The mission of n4a is to build the capacity of its members so they can better help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Visit
www.n4a.orgfor more information.
For more than 100 years, Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors, their families and caregivers. Together, its Network of Affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5M people annually through high-quality programs including autism services, early intervention, workforce development, adult day care and more. In schools, workplaces, and communities, Easterseals is fostering environments where everyone is included and valued — with a real and positive impact on us all. Join us in ensuring that everyone – regardless of age or ability – is 100% included and 100% empowered. Visit
www.easterseals.com.
