Making Public Transportation Accessible Developmental Disabilities Update UCSF School of Medicine and the UCSF School of Nursing Laurel Heights Conference Center San Francisco Presenters: Bruce Oka, former Commissioner, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Marc Soto, General Manager, Veolia Transdev, Paratransit Broker for the SFMTA Thursday, March 6, 2014 Disclosures: None Where it all began…………. 1977 CBS Evening News- 504 Sit In April 5, 1977 VTS 01 1 MP4.mp4 March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 3 4
The ADA mandates accessibility and specialized Accessibility: It’s the law! transportation for . . . The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides a legislative framework for the entire USA . . . Persons with disabilities, including sensory and cognitive- related disabilities & other mobility impairments March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 5 6 The ADA applies to all modes of Major components of accessible public transportation include regulated public transportation - streets and sidewalks - bus - rail • Accessible sidewalks and crossings - air, ferries - vans, minibuses, taxis • Accessible bus and rail features In terms of including tactile markings & audible - universal design (“no barriers”) - trained staff announcements - fares - other areas • Paratransit services March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 7 8
Crossing the street at a Metro stop in San Francisco Accessible sidewalks & crossings are required for pedestrians to get to transit stops and stations March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 9 10 Accessible bus services are found in every Bay Area Accessible rail services are found in several Bay county (Muni, AC Transit, SamTrans, Golden Gate Area cities and counties (Muni Metro, BART, San Transit, and many others) Jose’s light rail, etc.) March 6, 2014 11 March 6, 2014 12
Dedicated sedans and regular taxis (including ramp taxis) usually provide paratransit services Unlike accessible “fixed route” trains and buses, paratransit services are more direct, usually curb-to- curb or door-to-door . March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 13 14 . . . as do vans or mini-buses. Paratransit services are available to eligible persons with disabilities when they are unable to use “fixed route” buses or trains, that are otherwise accessible, due to their disability. March 6,2014 15 March 6, 2014 16
We can encourage persons with Health and social service professionals can refer developmental disabilities: clients to fixed route service and to paratransit services as appropriate. - to be aware of their rights • Contact the local transit or under the ADA paratransit agency and have information and an - to be aware of all their application form sent to a options for the use of public person who may qualify for transportation paratransit services. March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 17 18 Dementia Parents and friends also have a role: •Worldwide, 35.6 Million people have • Be aware of local bus, rail, and dementia and there are 7.7 million new paratransit options, as well as other cases each year. resources to promote independent •Dementia is one of the major causes living to the maximum degree possible. of disability & dependency among older people worldwide • Encourage travel training for those •Dementia has a physical, who will benefit from independently psychological, social & economical impact on caregivers, families and using accessible fixed route public society. transportation . March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 19 20
Alzheimer's Disease Challenges Caregivers Face •An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. This number has •Balancing work and immediate family doubled since 1980. •Financial challenges •Alzheimer’s disease is the 6 th leading •Unexpected legal Issues cause of death among American adults, •Care for loved ones and the 5 th leading cause of death for •Emotional and physical fatigue adults aged 65 years and older. •Anger (towards self, others) •Mortality rates for Alzheimer’s disease are •Denial on the rise, unlike heart disease and •Not understanding the illness cancer death rates which are continuing to •Internalized guilt decline. March 6, 2014 21 March 6, 2014 22 Travel Training Travel Training Travel training can: •Provide the skills that an individual needs to identify and appropriately solve problems when they travel alone. •Independent traveling can improve the quality of a person’s life - allows travel to employment, school, medical appointments, shopping and social events independently March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 23 24
Travel Training Travel Training March 6, 2014 March 6, 2014 25 26 Travel Training – One-on-One Travel Training – Group Orientation Group Orientation is scheduled, drop-in information orientation open to all senior and persons with disabilities. At these sessions participants can learn: •How to obtain Transit information in accessible formats to help plan a trip •How to route plan and ride •Practice boarding an accessible bus; talk to a real driver •Meet other riders, including seniors and persons with disabilities •Hear about One-on-One Travel Training March 6, 2014 27 March 6, 2014 28
Some contact numbers to apply Some websites of Local paratransit providers for local paratransit services March 6, 2014 29 March 6, 2014 30 21 Operators in the Bay Area March 6, 2014 31 March 6, 2014 32
Other Resources -Easter Seals Project ACTION Q & A -Independent Living Centers -Other programs such as Lighthouse for the Blind (O&M Training) -Individual Transit Agencies -School-based programs March 6, 2014 33 March 6, 2014 34 For Additional Questions and Comments Please contact: Bruce Oka bruceoka55@gmail.com Marc Soto Thank you! General Manager Veolia Transportation Services, Inc. (415)351-7010 Marc.soto@veoliatransdev.com March 6, 2014 35 March 6, 2014 36
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