Transportation Innovation Online Dialogues Panel 1: Access and Mobility for All: An Interagency Mission

States play a major role of implementing public transit and health and human transportation. Why can the VA or Medicaid implement a program that includes transportation without any coordination, planning, or discussion with the state transportation professionals, State DOTs?

A long time policy of the Veterans Administration in a partnership with the Disabled American Veterans organization does not allow mobility impaired (in wheelchairs) or Veterans using oxygen to Board the DAV-VA national transportation program vans where all other Veterans get FREE transportation to their nearest VA Medical center. I would like to ask all of the panelists to present this problem to all stakeholders and... more »

When the CIL program was under RSA there was an agreement to allow CIL Federal Funding as matching funds for 5310 grants. When will ACL allow this?

How do you propose breaking down barriers in funding that allow for better coordination and access to transportation services? An example being funding received through Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative for rural areas allowed for the purchase of capital equipment. A particular county received a grant that support the purchase of a vehicle in a rural county get to a veterans medical center several... more »

How can your agency help ensure that the various interfaces and platforms connected to AV will be designed with inclusion and accessibility in mind so that all PWD are able to use them? Who might you work with to make this happen?

Frank would like to express his appreciation of the transportation services provided by KYTC and FTSB. Frank is a member of a rural community and relies on services provided by FTSB on a weekly basis. Although grateful for the services, Frank has some concerns that he would like to share. There is a 45 minute window rule that is in place within FTSB. Frank has been told that their drivers can arrive 45 minutes prior to... more »

I would like to address this question to Secretary Chao and Secretary Carson. Transit Oriented Developments (TOD's) have been promising. However, in implementation, Housing has been built that does not meet ADA Standards for Accessible Design in some of these projects in New York state. What means does HUD have to survey and correct the lack of accessible housing in these developments and what can I do to help HUD? On... more »

For many Americans with mobility disabilities new and emerging technologies have provided lower cost alternatives to traditional mobility devices. These OPDMDs' such as a Segway PT, are beneficial to those who injuries or illness prevent them from being able to sit for long periods of time. While there has been guidance from the Department of Justice issued supporting the use of such devices, there continues to be instances... more »

In many rural areas, coordinated transportation was started by a local government and not by a truly coordinated process involving the community. In these areas, real coordinated transit remains an undone process where local elected leaders dictate to communities rather than empowering collaboration. What steps could be taken by local and state advocates to create community collaboration and a true understanding of coordinated... more »

In many rural areas, bus systems have eliminated paratransit...even in the cities in rural counties. How can equivalency be determined and discussed, in the simplest terms, with local transit operators and local government officials? Please cite any applicable legal references, administrator letters or guidance documents that include STRICT and CLEAR terms that could be easily understood by non-attorneys and local officials... more »

Innovative and high-tech mobility options work better when there is a complete and accessible sidewalk network to get to them. Who is making sure that the old-fashioned sidewalk is not being neglected while we chase after the latest shiny object?

On the ground, it is evident that there is often a big overlap between transportation needs and mental health care needs for seniors and individuals with disabilities. FTA programs, like the Section 5310 program, provide funding that helps meet the transportation needs of these populations, but many of these folks still go unserved because transportation providers are not trained as mental health care providers. Holistic... more »

I represent the National MS Society and we hear from our activists that to make air travel truly accessible that they need to be able to travel in their own wheelchair when on the aircraft. How can we make air travel more accessible for those who need to be in their own wheelchair?

With accessibility in rural areas a priority for this Administration, the importance of Medicaid-supported Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) trips as a match for federal Section 5311 rural transit funding is not well-understood beyond the transit industry. It's only more urgent as waivers for states to avoid supporting NEMT service altogether have been considered. How can we ensure this essential program continues... more »

What R&D Projects currently underway are potentially scaleable to serve the Older Adult population? Provide timelines for potential implementation and what level(s) of government would be involved and or the private sector.