TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSITION Oregon Youth Transition Conference February 19, 2015 Hood River, Oregon

WHY TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSITION Focus 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 TRANSPORTATION Walking 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 CONS PROS 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-UP Area Commissions on Transportation Association of Travel Instruction Northwest ADA Center

RESOURCES Oregon Walks Oregon Bike Manual Public Transit in Oregon

RESOURCES Smart Trips – City of Portland Statewide Public Transportation Services United States Access Board

CONTACT Christina Cooper RideWise Outreach Specialist