Illinois; Will County Hosts Paratransit Update : Event coincided with anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act 2011

Tuesday, July 26th marked the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Will County recognized this landmark anniversary as efforts continued to expand paratransit services throughout Will County. Local township officials and social service agencies gathered to hear and update on efforts Will County is making to improve transit options.

Nick Palmer, chief of staff to Will County Executive Larry Walsh, led a Will County paratransit update meeting with local elected officials and community groups at Governors State University in University Park.

In attendance were Joe Voccia, program manager of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Bob Howard, Washington Township supervisor and Will County Board member, representatives from Crete, Monee, Will and Rich Townships and leaders from various Will County social services organizations.

“Transportation options are a critical piece of our resident’s quality of life,” Walsh said. “My administration has continued to bring stakeholders from across Will County together to determine the best way we can all work together to improve and expand transit services throughout Will County. In such tough economic times, we must all be working together to maximize efficiencies while still maintaining levels of service.”

The focus of the Tuesday’s meeting was to review the 2010 Coordinated Paratransit Study and update the stakeholders on a new RTA grant that Will County is pursing to fund a Mobility Manager and operational funding for paratransit and dial-a-ride services in the six townships in Eastern Will County. RTA grants are being pursued by the county to hire a Mobility Manager and operational support, both efforts seek to improve cooperation among existing paratransit providers and improve access for underserved areas. A Paratransit Coordinating Council will be established by the executive’s office to continue to advise on future improvements in Will County transit efforts.

“Will County is fortunate to have a number of transit systems that are working well,” Palmer said. “However, we know that there remain gaps in services and a growing need for disabled residents, seniors, and others for trips for medical treatment and employment. We are continuing to seek partners who can help us address these unmet needs.”

Palmer expressed confidence in the program's future, acknowledging support from the RTA and the Will County Board. He emphasized the need for commitment and collaboration among local governments, service agencies and funding partners to pursue expanded transportation to provide seniors and disabled individuals in Will County more freedom to become more active consumers.

Will County remains one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois by total population numbers. The recent 2010 Census put Will County’s population at 677,560 with projections of a population in excess of 1.2 million by 2030. This growth signals the need for greater transportation options to meet this growing demand for services.

Additional information on the 2010 Will County Coordinated Paratransit study can be found on the county’s website at www.willcountyillinois.com.

For more information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit these websites: www.ada.org, the Great Lakes ADA Center at www.adagreatlakes.org, and the American Association of People with Disabilities at www.aapd.com.

# As posted at the Patch Network