Easter Seals Project ACTION Announces Its Latest Addition to the Mobility Planning Services Program

The 2010 Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative (ATCI)

The application deadline has passed. Communities accepted for this program will be announced soon.

• Is your community determined to increase accessible, reliable transportation options?
• Does your community have leaders willing to work together to tackle challenging transportation issues?
• Is your community ready to actively engage community leaders, transportation providers, transit customers with disabilities, and others to develop a plan for meaningful systems change?

If the answer to all these questions is “yes,” ESPA wants to support your efforts by coming to your community to facilitate a two-day Accessible Transportation Coalition event to be scheduled between the months of April and October. There is no charge for this program but acceptance is through a competitive application process.

What is the Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative?

The Mobility Planning Services: Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative, or ATCI, is a one-year process designed to support systems change at the local level. This process begins with your community’s selection to participate in a two-day ATC event to be facilitated by ESPA staff, and continues through team development and event preparation, the team’s development of an action plan, and one year of follow-up technical assistance to support implementation.

The Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative:

• Supports the creation and maintenance of strong and equal linkages among the disability community and transportation industry
• Attracts commitment at the highest levels of your organizations to work on transportation solutions
• Fosters learning and networking among colleagues working in communities like yours across the U.S.
• Provides the community with tools and technical assistance both during the ATC event and afterward
• Promotes meaningful systems change in the area of accessible transportation

What will happen during our ATC event?

If your community is selected, ESPA staff will facilitate a two-day event in your community in which your ATC will decide how it will increase accessible transportation options. On Day 1, ESPA will set the stage for consensus-building and will help the coalition find at least one accessible transportation goal upon which everyone can agree. On Day 2, ESPA will facilitate a discussion regarding who will do what, and when, to achieve that goal. This will become the coalition’s action plan to increase accessible transportation options.

PLEASE NOTE: Because the ATCI events will be hosted within the respective selected communities, those communities will be expected to provide an accessible meeting location as well as on-site logistical support.

What should our community expect after the ATC event?

ESPA is prepared to offer one year of individualized follow-up technical assistance and support to the communities selected to participate in the Mobility Planning Services: Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative. Your coalition should be prepared to meet regularly, to continue the work you start at the ATC event, and to periodically report your progress to ESPA, as requested.

How do we apply?

To apply, you are required to assemble a three-member planning committee that has:

• One member who is a high-level decision-maker representing a transportation provider;
• One person with a disability who is a transit user and has demonstrated leadership in the area of accessible transportation;
• A third member who plays a key role in your community in making accessible transportation decisions.

The requirement to assemble this committee is to ensure that perspectives from both the transportation industry and the disability community are reflected in your application and subsequent planning, and to establish a foundation for the ATC of strength, cooperation and commitment.

Because this activity requires a significant amount of teamwork, it is very important that the three planning committee members fill out the application together. This committee should be prepared to decide:

1. That accessible transportation is a priority need that will receive focused attention
2. Who are the other key leaders with the ability to influence systems change
3. What is the current structure for addressing accessible transportation concerns
4. What works well about the current process and what can make it better

Using this collective wisdom, the committee will be prepared to work together to complete the ATCI application.

What will happen prior to our ATC event facilitated by ESPA?

If your application is selected, you will then need to select the remaining community members to complete your Accessible Transportation Coalition. Each ATC should consist of between 15 and 25 members and should reflect the diversity of your community. In addition to the three required planning committee members listed above, you should include:

• Other transportation providers (i.e., human services, taxi, etc.)
• Other people with disabilities who use public transportation
• Individuals engaged in the technical aspects of transportation planning at the community level (i.e., planners, engineers, Metropolitan Planning Organization staff)
• Community leaders in formal leadership roles (i.e., elected officials, transit board members)
• Other “movers and shakers” in your community, including those individuals who might not be currently working on accessible transportation issues, but who know how to get things done

Prior to the two-day ATC event, the planning committee will meet with ESPA staff to coordinate the logistical and outreach aspects of the event. The planning committee members will play a central role in organizing the ATC event and in communicating with the other participants. Each participant will complete an online survey assessing perceptions of the status of accessible transportation in the community as well as the degree to which collaboration is currently successful. This will be an opportunity to share expectations and community-specific information. 

If our community is selected, what are the logistical and financial obligations?

Selected communities will be required to do the following:

1. Participate in conference calls with ESPA, as needed
2. Provide a meeting facility that is fully accessible to people with disabilities
3. Ensure the availability of accessible transportation to and from the event location
4. Provide audiovisual equipment including a projector and microphones
5. Provide assistance with arrangements for catering
6. Recruit other coalition members to reflect the diversity of the community including: community leaders, people with disabilities who use public transportation, public and private transportation providers, human service providers, transportation planners and other community members with influence to affect systems change
7. Ensure that each coalition member completes an online survey provided by ESPA prior to the event

Because ESPA will cover the cost of travel and lodging for its staff to facilitate the ATC event, there are minimal financial considerations for the communities. Potential costs to the community could include:

• Travel to and from the event by local coalition members
• Provision of an accessible facility including audio/visual equipment
• Materials and time to support the organization and outreach of the coalition

ESPA will provide the following for the two-day ATC event:

• Two experienced facilitators
• Training and resource materials
• Lunch for 15 - 25 participants
• Wages for personal care attendants, as needed

Getting Started

The application period closed on January 29, and accepted communities will be announced soon. If you have questions about the 2010 Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative, contact Penny Everline at 800-659-6428 or peverline@easterseals.com.