Long-Term Benefits of Travel Training Lisa Almilli Riverside Transit Agency

‘FREEDOM TO GO’ TRAVEL TRAINING 2,500 square miles 18 cities and four county districts Grant funded FY2012 (New Freedom/JARC) People with disabilities, seniors and veterans Why travel training? Rising costs in transportation Providing riders with options that best met their needs

SHORT GAME VS. LONG GAME Short Game: Train those who are currently using paratransit to decrease costs Cost Savings Long Game: Train future travelers before dependency on paratransit is created Cost Avoidance

“Access to transportation, and the ability to use it, can open doors and provide a means to many otherwise unavailable opportunities to persons with disabilities. The ability to travel independently and at will provides people who have disabilities with a vital key to achieving as much participation in society as they desire.” -- Peggy Groce

TRANSITION PROGRAMS

TRANSITION PROGRAMS

CHANGE CAN BE … SCARY

ACCEPTING CHANGE 22-year-old who has intellectual disabilities with significant “Mom Factor” Transition program graduate who wanted to take community college classes Mom wanted paratransit so that he could be ‘safe’ Overcame “Mom Factor” by personal approach

LONG-TERM BENEFITS Flexibility to Travel on a Moment’s Notice Opening Doors to Opportunity True Level of Independence

LONG-TERM BENEFITS

SUMMARY Cost Savings and Cost Avoidance (Short Game vs. Long Game) Expand Opportunity Safety and Inclusion True Independence