Save Mobility for Older People (2): Facilitating Mobility in Urban and Rural Settings
Transportation track
Transportation track
Presenters:
Lisa Peters-BeumerAbstract authors:
Alan Abeson, Carol Maus, Lisa Peters-BeumerFull abstract text:
INTRODUCTION
When physical and cognitive disabilities limit mobility for older adults, it is devastating to both quality of life and independence unless appropriate mobility options are accessible and available. Three innovative projects will be discussed, Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation), Transportation Solutions for Caregivers, and AgrAbility Project. These federally funded programs enhance mobility and delivery of transportation services for older adults and their families in both urban and rural settings.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Older adults, with and without disabilities, face many obstacles as they attempt to use public transportation to meet their individual needs These impediments include individuals’ difficulties accessing and using paratransit, vehicle operators’ limited knowledge, and communities’ lack of options, especially in rural areas. Since 1988, Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA), funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration, has been working together with the transportation industry and disability community to improve access to public transportation for people with disabilities as well as helping transportation operators implement ADA transportation provisions.
METHODS
ESPA has developed manuals, handbooks and curricula to help communities identify and remove barriers to accessible transportation. They have created training materials to increase the knowledge and sensitivity of transit operators regarding older riders and riders with disabilities. ESPA also has a toll-free line available to provide answers to the nation’s questions about ADA rights and responsibilities, as well as diverse accessibility issues. Further, ESPA’s Mobility Planning Services concept is a comprehensive approach designed to bring diverse community members together to create a private/public network of accessible transportation.
Often, caregivers become primary transportation providers when the older adults cease driving and the use of most public transportation. This can be an especially taxing and time-consuming caregiving task. According to a 1997 AARP survey of family caregivers, eight out of ten caregivers reported helping with transportation . Transportation Solutions for Caregivers (TSC) focuses on the development of tools and resources for caregivers of older adults and the organizations who serve them.
Funded by the Administration on Aging, TSC is working to increase the capacity of the aging service providers and clinicians to offer meaningful solutions for caregivers. TSC addresses three key areas: safety, community-based alternatives and education on existing resources and services. Specifically, a caregiver transportation toolkit and supportive materials have been developed containing information on safety, agitation and other dementia related behaviors, plus wheelchair handling and transfers. Assembled by TSC, national aging and transportation information and referral programs have come together to promote the availability of transportation-related information for caregivers. TSC is also working in collaboration with other key organizations to enhance alternative transportation through support and technical assistance to volunteer organizations.
One of the most significant challenges for farmers or ranchers with mobility impairments is managing their operation safely, efficiently and independently. With the average age of the American farmer/rancher nearing 60, mobility issues for farmers and ranchers are becoming increasingly common. The task of finding appropriate mobility and transportation aids for this group is often a difficult one. The AgrAbility Project is a leading source of information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, farm workers who have disabilities, their families and professionals who serve them.
The AgrAbility Project, funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides farmers, ranchers and farm workers ideas and resources on how to accommodate their disabilities in safe ways so that they can continue to run their operations as independently as possible. This technical assistance is provided through on-site visits, toll-free telephone consultation and peer support services. The AgrAbility Assistive Technology Database gives clients and service providers information about all manner of commercially available vehicles, person lifts and other mobility aids that could make independent movement around farm/ranch operations possible. Training is available to AgrAbility staff, other rural health, disability, and agricultural professionals and clients through annual workshops.
DISCUSSION
Adoption of progressive public policy and participation of older adults and people with disabilities in ordinary community life and farm/ranch operation, as well as growing awareness and self advocacy, have all contributed to increased accessible mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. Government agencies involved with transportation, land-use planning, agriculture, traffic and environmental engineering are all being called upon to recognize and make effective accomodations. Human service agencies are providing their clients with relevant tools and travel training and are working with other entities providing transporation to actively explore ways for effective and efficient coordination.
CONCLUSION
ESPA, TSC and AgrAbility are making a positive impact by working to advance mobility and accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities ESPA, TSC and AgrAbility advocate for and address mobility and accessible transportation in innovative ways. They contribute to the progressive movement to improve quality of life and independence for older adults and people with disabilities in the U.S. and throughout the world through tools and training, policy and collaboration.
When physical and cognitive disabilities limit mobility for older adults, it is devastating to both quality of life and independence unless appropriate mobility options are accessible and available. Three innovative projects will be discussed, Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation), Transportation Solutions for Caregivers, and AgrAbility Project. These federally funded programs enhance mobility and delivery of transportation services for older adults and their families in both urban and rural settings.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Older adults, with and without disabilities, face many obstacles as they attempt to use public transportation to meet their individual needs These impediments include individuals’ difficulties accessing and using paratransit, vehicle operators’ limited knowledge, and communities’ lack of options, especially in rural areas. Since 1988, Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA), funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration, has been working together with the transportation industry and disability community to improve access to public transportation for people with disabilities as well as helping transportation operators implement ADA transportation provisions.
METHODS
ESPA has developed manuals, handbooks and curricula to help communities identify and remove barriers to accessible transportation. They have created training materials to increase the knowledge and sensitivity of transit operators regarding older riders and riders with disabilities. ESPA also has a toll-free line available to provide answers to the nation’s questions about ADA rights and responsibilities, as well as diverse accessibility issues. Further, ESPA’s Mobility Planning Services concept is a comprehensive approach designed to bring diverse community members together to create a private/public network of accessible transportation.
Often, caregivers become primary transportation providers when the older adults cease driving and the use of most public transportation. This can be an especially taxing and time-consuming caregiving task. According to a 1997 AARP survey of family caregivers, eight out of ten caregivers reported helping with transportation . Transportation Solutions for Caregivers (TSC) focuses on the development of tools and resources for caregivers of older adults and the organizations who serve them.
Funded by the Administration on Aging, TSC is working to increase the capacity of the aging service providers and clinicians to offer meaningful solutions for caregivers. TSC addresses three key areas: safety, community-based alternatives and education on existing resources and services. Specifically, a caregiver transportation toolkit and supportive materials have been developed containing information on safety, agitation and other dementia related behaviors, plus wheelchair handling and transfers. Assembled by TSC, national aging and transportation information and referral programs have come together to promote the availability of transportation-related information for caregivers. TSC is also working in collaboration with other key organizations to enhance alternative transportation through support and technical assistance to volunteer organizations.
One of the most significant challenges for farmers or ranchers with mobility impairments is managing their operation safely, efficiently and independently. With the average age of the American farmer/rancher nearing 60, mobility issues for farmers and ranchers are becoming increasingly common. The task of finding appropriate mobility and transportation aids for this group is often a difficult one. The AgrAbility Project is a leading source of information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, farm workers who have disabilities, their families and professionals who serve them.
The AgrAbility Project, funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides farmers, ranchers and farm workers ideas and resources on how to accommodate their disabilities in safe ways so that they can continue to run their operations as independently as possible. This technical assistance is provided through on-site visits, toll-free telephone consultation and peer support services. The AgrAbility Assistive Technology Database gives clients and service providers information about all manner of commercially available vehicles, person lifts and other mobility aids that could make independent movement around farm/ranch operations possible. Training is available to AgrAbility staff, other rural health, disability, and agricultural professionals and clients through annual workshops.
DISCUSSION
Adoption of progressive public policy and participation of older adults and people with disabilities in ordinary community life and farm/ranch operation, as well as growing awareness and self advocacy, have all contributed to increased accessible mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. Government agencies involved with transportation, land-use planning, agriculture, traffic and environmental engineering are all being called upon to recognize and make effective accomodations. Human service agencies are providing their clients with relevant tools and travel training and are working with other entities providing transporation to actively explore ways for effective and efficient coordination.
CONCLUSION
ESPA, TSC and AgrAbility are making a positive impact by working to advance mobility and accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities ESPA, TSC and AgrAbility advocate for and address mobility and accessible transportation in innovative ways. They contribute to the progressive movement to improve quality of life and independence for older adults and people with disabilities in the U.S. and throughout the world through tools and training, policy and collaboration.
