Welcome to Extra, Easter Seals Project ACTION’s monthly newsletter.
ESPA News
Communities Announced for Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative
The Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative is a systems-change model designed to improve accessible transportation options for people with disabilities. Selected communities receive on-site facilitation and targeted technical assistance during a two-day event to learn the ATCI model and develop an accessible transportation plan. ESPA is pleased to welcome the 2012 ATCI communities.
ESPA Kicks Off Secondary Transition Inclusive Transportation Service-Learning Pilot Program
ESPA has launched an inclusive service-learning program for students with disabilities enrolled in middle and high school. The purpose of this pilot program is to provide students with and without disabilities opportunities to engage in service-learning projects that enhance their understanding and use of accessible transportation. For more information, contact Judy Shanley, ESPA director of student engagement & mobility management.
BerkshireRides Gives ESPA Resource to Paratransit Riders
The ESPA in Action section on the Project ACTION website highlights how organizations are using ESPA’s resources to further accessible transportation. This month, ESPA features BerkshireRides in western Massachusetts and how the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is striving to make the ADA complementary paratransit eligibility application process more user-friendly by providing customers with ESPA’s Transit Customer Rights & Responsibilities Bookmark. Email Whitney Gray to let ESPA know how you are using our resources!
Upcoming Presentations
ESPA staff will be presenting at the following conferences. See ESPA’s online calendar for a schedule of upcoming events.
March 18-21: 1st Technical Assistance and Tribal Transit Program Conference and Roadeo (sponsored by National Rural Transit Assistance Program, the Federal Transit Administration and the National Tribal Transit Association) in Scottsdale, Arizona
May 6-9: American Public Transportation Association Bus and Paratransit Conference in Long Beach, California
May 7: Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act National Conference (funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration grant hosted by the PACER Center) in Charlotte, North Carolina
May 8-10: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Capacity Building Institute (funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs grant hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte) in Charlotte, North Carolina
May 9-10: Mobility Management Conference (hosted by the Partnership for Mobility Management) in Long Beach, California
Upcoming Training
Excellence in Service for Paratransit Managers―Online Course
ESPA will hold Excellence in Service for Paratransit Managers April 25-June 27. This free, 10-week virtual training course is designed for ADA complementary paratransit managers who are new to the field. Course content highlights the history of the disability movement and how to engage the disability community in different service areas while helping participants gain a greater understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to better serve people with disabilities. Class members will complete five learning modules consisting of readings, videos, audio recordings, activities, forum entries, and quizzes and will participate in in-depth homework activities and one live closing teleconference. For more information, please contact Krystian Boreyko by email or by phone at (800) 659-6428. Application deadline: April 13.
Introduction to Travel Training in Portland, Oregon
Applications are now being accepted for the Introduction to Travel Training course scheduled for June 18-20 in Tampa, Florida. This intensive, three-day course is a free training initiative designed to help increase the skills, knowledge and abilities of travel training professionals. It includes both classroom and field instruction. For questions, contact Krystian Boreyko by email or phone at (800) 659-6428. Application deadline: May 11.
Webinar on VTCLI, VTS and Veterans Transportation
On March 22 at 2 p.m. EDT, the National Resource Center on Human Services Transportation Coordination will host the webinar Promising Practices: What You Need to Know About VTCLI, VTS and Veterans Transportation. Led by Chris Zeilinger, director of the Center, the webinar will focus on practical information and valuable tips for getting the most out of the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative grants and partnerships with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Transportation Service and other community stakeholders. For more information, contact Ginger Ammon.
Industry News
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Update
On February 29, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published a Notice of Funding Availability for the FY2012 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants. Through this announcement, HUD is making available approximately $5 million for planning grants which may be up to $300,000 each. HUD expects to award 17-20 grants, and awards will be made by the end of September. Application deadline: May 1.
Apply to Be in the 15th Leadership APTA Class
Beginning May 2 through the end of June, the American Public Transportation Association will accept applications online for the Leadership APTA Class of 2013. Leadership APTA is APTA’s premier professional development program designed to develop and support future leaders of APTA and the public transportation industry. Program participants are sponsored by the public transportation system or organization where they are employed.
ATI Annual Conference Call for Papers
The Association of Travel Instruction has announced a Call for Papers for the 2012 ATI Annual Conference, taking place August 10-12 in Boulder, Colorado. This year’s conference theme is Beyond Lifts: Expanding accessibility in our communities. Questions may be addressed to one of the conference co-chairs: contact Susan Unger by email or by phone at (610) 892-9440, or contact Peggy Schmidt by email or by phone at (215) 699-2733. Submission deadline: April 1.
New Directory for Wounded Warriors Available from Disability.gov
Disability.gov has announced the availability of the National Resource Directory, which provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration for military service members and veterans. The Transportation & Travel section provides information on military travel pay, free transportation, modifying personal vehicles to accommodate a disability, and off-duty travel resources. Locate Resources in Your State.
Research
U.S. DOT Launches Searchable Database Research Hub
The U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration has launched the U.S. DOT Research Hub website, a searchable database of the latest agency-sponsored research, development and technology projects. The database acts as a central location for information on projects funded by U.S. DOT operating administrations, providing access to the Department's research portfolio at the project level. The database also provides links to research reports and other products generated by completed projects. The website has been released as a test version in order to solicit feedback from the transportation community that will be used to help develop future database versions.
CDC Introduces Disability and Health Data System
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced the Disability and Health Data System (DHDS), an online interactive system that helps translate state-level, disability-specific data into information that can be used by state health departments, national disability and health organizations, policymakers, researchers, educators, and others. Register online for a webinar on the variety of ways to use DHDS on March 16, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EDT, or register online for a tutorial on how to find and view data or how to use the interactive maps, bar charts, trend lines, and tables on March 21, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT.
For Easter Seals Project Action, visit:
http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_homepage
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