Rural Transportation Resources
The following is a list of rural transportation resources available from private and public organizations that provide methods, structures, and best-practices to establish or improve your rural transportation challenges and discuss important issues. These web links provide research, education, newsletters, and general information coupled with valuable resources.
Easter Seals Project ACTION
Website: http://projectaction.easterseals.com/
Summary: Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration, Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in our Nation) promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond. Project ACTION offers various resources, as well as training and technical assistance, in an effort to make the ADA work for everyone, everyday. The Easter Seals Project ACTION’s Clearinghouse offers, free of charge, more than 90 print, video, audio, and multimedia products addressing all aspects of accessible transportation. Resources of particular interest to AgrAbility include:
Caregiver Transportation Toolkit and Facilitator Manual
Website: http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_tsc_toolkithome
Summary: Easter Seals Transportation Solutions for Caregivers: A Starting Point offers an educational video, informational booklet, and a list of helpful products and resources for family caregivers and volunteer drivers of older adults with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The toolkit documents can be downloaded in PDF format in English and Spanish.
Solutions Package for Volunteer Transportation Programs
Website: http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_tsc_volunteer
Summary: A comprehensive package of materials to inform and enhance either new or existing volunteer transportation programs serving older adults and/or people with disabilities. Contains sections addressing: Organization, Volunteer Transportation, Volunteer Drivers, Risk Management, Riders, Working with Your Community and Keys to Success. Sample forms and resources are included.
The Transportation Cooperative Research Program
Website: http://www.tcrponline.org
Summary: The Transportation Cooperative Research Program provides the tools you need to innovate and solve problems in the transportation industry. One of these resources is the Toolkit for Rural Community Coordinated Transportation Services. This toolkit helps rural communities identify elements of setting up and implementing transportation services. The report recognizes coordination as the technique for success when power, responsibility, management, and funding are shared across organizations and throughout the community. Some states have been successful in lowering costs, extending service hours, offering additional routes, implementing door-to-door service and improving emphasis on customer service and safety. Follow this link to download the PDF version of the toolkit: http://www.tcrponline.org/bin/search.pl?keyword=Toolkit+for+rural&go=Search
National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)
Website: http://www.nationalrtap.org/
Summary: RTAP is a training, technical assistance, and outreach program funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Since 1987 RTAP has developed and distributed free training materials, provided technical assistance, and conducted research to improve mobility for the millions of Americans living in communities with populations under 50,000.
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Information Station
Website: http://www.ctaa.org/ntrc/
Summary: CTAA’s Information Station connects you to information and assistance on rural and specialized transportation issues, and links you to important community transportation news, resources and ideas. Whether you’re a transit professional seeking specialized information, a human services agency searching for transportation options or someone just beginning to explore mobility issues in your community, the Information Station provides categorical guides, a glossary of terms, on-line publications, links to related websites and a powerful search engine.
United We Ride
Website: www.unitedweride.gov
Summary: United We Ride is an interagency Federal national initiative that supports states and their localities in developing coordinated human service delivery systems. In addition to state coordination grants, United We Ride provides state and local agencies a transportation-coordination and planning self-assessment tool, help along the way, technical assistance, and other resources to help their communities succeed.
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