About every two years the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) selects and awards federal grant funds to projects and initiatives throughout the region aimed at improving mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. Over the years, dozens of non-profit agencies, local governments, transit agencies and private-for-profit providers of transportation have received funding through the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program.

At a COG-hosted forum on May 29, grantees were invited to gather and share their ideas and experiences improving transportation for people with limited mobility with each other. The goal of the forum is to showcase the work of the grantees, but also to encourage partnerships and the replication of best practices to benefit the region and spark ideas for future funding applications.

Federal Enhanced Mobility Program

The grantees in attendance at the forum received funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The goal of the program is to improve mobility by removing barriers and expanding transportation options. The funds can also be used to operate or provide public transportation or alternatives to public transportation that assist older adults and individuals with disabilities.

The TPB’s role is two-fold. First, through its administrative agent, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the TPB receives and helps administer the federal grant dollars for the region. The TPB works with its Access for All Advisory Committee (AFA) to confirm priority projects  for the region, which include travel training, wheelchair-accessible taxis, vehicles for non-profit organizations serving people with developmental disabilities, and volunteer driver programs. Second, the TPB solicits applications, convenes an independent selection committee of local and national experts on transportation, aging, and disability, and makes final recommendations. Then a list of recommended projects is taken to the full TPB board for approval. Since 2012, the TPB has awarded more than $16 million dollars in Enhanced Mobility grant to 46 projects.

MORE: Get the list of the funded projects to date.

The next solicitation is set to begin in September 2019, with final project selection and approval coming in early 2020. Approximately $5.6 million is available. Application is through an on-line system and includes responses to questions about how the project addresses seven criteria, identified in the TPB’s 2018 Update to the Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan, that include coordination across agencies and jurisdictions, capacity to manage a Federal grant and, new this year, serving Equity Emphasis Areas.

An opportunity for peer learning

The Best Practices Forum began with a grantee fair and networking opportunity where grantees got to know each other and learned about the variety of projects and methods enhancing mobility in the DC-MD-VA urbanized area. Non-profit, local governments and for-profit providers of transportation displayed materials about their programs and talked with attendees about what they do. Participating organizations included Dulles Area Transportation Association, which helps to hire bilingual drivers and volunteers for transportation providers in Northern Virginia,  Regency Taxi which operates wheelchair-accessible taxis in Montgomery County, the Jewish Council for the Aging, and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services. Two national technical assistance centers, funded by the Federal Transit Administration, also participated; the National Center for Mobility Management, and the National Aging & Disability Transportation Center.

MORE: See COG case studies of some of the grant projects.

Grantees had a chance for networking and peer learning at the forum. Non-profit, local governments and for-profit providers of transportation displayed materials about their programs and talked with attendees about what they do. (TPB)

Evaluating projects by pairing with higher education

Once attendees got to know each other and their programs, presenters highlighted program evaluation, stakeholder engagement and outreach, and the use of wheelchair accessible minivans for community-based activities.

Peter Leisen, Project Coordinator for the Tech for Independent Living program, at the Arc of Northern Virginia, focuses on administering, training, and implementing TravelMate. TravelMate is a tablet-based technology platform that’s used in Travel Training. Travel Training helps individuals with disabilities learn skills and strategies to travel independently. The Arc of Northern Virginia has partnered with the Special Education Department at George Mason University to evaluate its Train the Travel Trainer program. A doctoral student, with guidance from their professor, is evaluating the Train the Travel Trainer model and the TravelMate curriculum. The arrangement helps both the Arc and the student since the results are published and the student can fulfil a degree requirement. Peter also provided some tips for who may be interested in partnering with higher learning institutions to evaluate their mobility programs. Peter suggested approaching the appropriate department which might find the grant project applicable (i.e. Special Education, Social Work, Nursing – Gerontology & Developmental Disabilities). And, looking to board members, contributors, and employees within the organization who might have university contacts to make the connection easier. He also mentioned that determining what the research will look like and navigating the university internal review board can take some time.

The Capitol Hill Village serves its members who use all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, and using transit. (CHV) 

Community engagement’s role in program evaluation

It is also important to include users in developing and evaluating programs. Capitol Hill Village (CHV) serves older adults aging in place on Capitol Hill in DC. CHV’s Executive Director, Molly Singer, shared how the village makes sure its members are heard in mobility planning by using peer models and community engagement. CHV facilitates village members’ wishes for outcomes when it comes to meeting mobility needs of all types, whether bicycling, walking or volunteer driving. Partnerships and peer support give village members problem solving skills and confidence. A Transportation Advisory Board and focus groups involve older adults in providing feedback and make talking about their needs and seeking answers normal. These methods help increase village members’ awareness and knowledge about these programs and the programs’ become more familiar with the communities they serve. The community engagement helps programs evaluate what they do and can inspire a commitment to change. Partners benefit from user feedback about transportation services, clarity about who the users are, accurate information about options communicated to users, and friendlier practices.

Using wheelchair accessible vehicles

Laura Lear, Administrative Director for Community Support Services (CSS), spoke about the programmatic and operational advantages of using wheelchair accessible vehicles to transport individuals with intellectual and mobility disabilities. The advantages include:

• Utilizing support staff as drivers
  • Not requiring specialized driver’s license or driver training (other than defensive driving)
• Allowing individuals to choose preferred activities and accommodations can be made for each person as needed.
• Individuals use the same vehicle for regular trips, become familiar with the process of boarding, riding safely, and disembarking in a safe manner with the support of trained staff.
• Promotes Community Integration:
  • Minivans are commonplace in the community
  • Enables small groups to access community locations which promotes inclusion.
• Not requiring special parking
• Lower insurance and maintenance costs.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles can be useful to transport individuals with intellectual and mobility disabilities. (CSS) 

Enhanced Mobility projects impact lives

Enhanced Mobility projects impact lives by enabling older adults and people with disabilities to remain active participants in their communities. By sharing ideas and getting to know one another, the grantees can adapt and replicate what they have learned to better serve the region. The upcoming 2019 Enhanced Mobility Solicitation provides opportunity to bring the new concepts to fruition.

MORE: Learn more about the 2019 Solicitation 

For questions about the Enhanced Mobility program and project eligibility, please contact Lynn Winchell-Mendy at lmendy@mwcog.org or 202.962.3253.

For questions about the Enhanced Mobility website and the application, please contact Sergio Ritacco at sritacco@mwcog.org or 202.962.3232.

Lynn Winchell-Mendy is a COG  transportation planner. She is the grants manager for the Enhanced Mobility program and serves as staff to the TPB's Access for All Advisory Committee.

​