Sponsored Project with the Council of University Transportation Centers

Student Research Fellowship in Accessible Transportation

2009 Program Description

Washington, D.C.-based Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) is a 20-year-old federally funded program that supports the interests of public transportation and people with disabilities in the attainment of (in the words of the project’s acronym) Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation.

In cooperation with the Council of University Transportation Centers, ESPA is pleased to announce an opportunity for post-baccalaureate students to contribute to this mission through research and development. Awards of $5,000 will be presented for up to two project grants to trainees in the CUTC network.

Program objectives

The purpose of the project is to:

• Produce a project report on a topic of significance to public transportation as it relates to accessibility or impact on people with disabilities;
• Complete a research project using original or existing data and prepare a manuscript, with an ESPA-selected co-author, to submit for publication in transportation-related journals.

Two current, post-baccalaureate students enrolled in transportation or related programs will be selected through a competitive application process and awarded a $5,000 stipend to expand upon their interests as they relate to customers with disabilities and accessible transportation. Applicants have flexibility in their choice of topic but will consider that the report must be prepared for submission to academic journals or professional publications related to accessible transportation. Timelines will be defined with each student and the project must be completed by Aug. 31, 2009. A panel of ESPA and CUTC staff and faculty will make the final selection.  

About the sponsoring partners

CUTC is a is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with membership representing more than 60 of the nation’s leading university-based transportation research and education programs. Established in 1979, CUTC promotes and supports continued dialogue among its member institutions and provides a forum for the centers to interact collectively with government and industry. Collectively, CUTC members have advanced the state of the art in all modes and disciplines of transportation and made significant and lasting contributions to the nation’s mobility, economy, and defense.

ESPA is a national technical assistance program funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration. Established by Congress in 1988, ESPA facilitates cooperation between the transportation and disability communities and works to increase the availability and use of accessible transportation for people of all ages with disabilities. ESPA provides a variety of training, technical assistance and products, and supports research opportunities and projects.

Rules for applications

Applications should be consistent with the following ESPA goals:

• Assisting transportation planners and providers, disability organizations, individuals with disabilities and others in the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
• Advancing the creation and use of coordinated accessible community transportation services for people with disabilities, seniors, and people with low incomes;
• Increasing the awareness and use of accessible transportation by people with disabilities through the development of stimulating and informative strategies, techniques and materials;
• Eliminating barriers in the pedestrian environment that prevent people with disabilities from using accessible transportation services and facilities;
• Facilitating independent travel options for people with disabilities, including youth and older adults, addressing concerns of people with disabilities and their families regarding general safety, security and other considerations.

Applicants are encouraged to review examples of ESPA resources by visiting the Easter Seals Project ACTION Store.

Download the ESPA-CUTC application (PDF) document, or for people using screen readers and other assistive devices, download a plain text (.txt) format. The application must be received in the Easter Seals Project ACTION office by Jan. 30, 2009, no later than 4 p.m. EST. 

Please contact Ken Thompson at 800-659-6428 or kthompson@easterseals.com for any additional information.  Applicants interested in research and secondary data analysis of public transportation systems data are welcome to discuss potential transit partners with Mr. Thompson.   
 
Easter Seals Project ACTION is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and is administered by Easter Seals, Inc.