Para 103

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Para 103
Paratransit 103Self-Advocacy Tools
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Focus of Paratransit 103

• Self-Advocacy Tools
• Definitions
• When to Use Them
• How To Use Them
• Where to Find the Information You Need
• Things you need to know
• Before You Take Your Trip
• During Your Trip
• After The Trip

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Definitions Paratransit

• Paratransit Services
• Paratransit service grew in the United States
  following the Americans with Disabilities Act
  which required complementary paratransit be
  provided alongside most public transit services
  in the United States which receive funding from
  the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). ADA
  complementary paratransit service is for people
  who are unable to ride buses by virtue of a
  disabling condition. (Wikipedia)

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Definitions Travel Training

• Travel training or travel instruction, is
  one-to-one individualized instruction designed to
  teach seniors and people with disabilities (other
  than blindness or visual impairment) to travel
  safely and independently on fixed-route public
  transit. This type of transit includes buses
  operating on regular routes and commuter rail
  systems.
• Participants learn travel skills for following a
  specific route, typically to a school or a job
  site. Travel instruction professionals determine
  how different disabilities affect a person's
  ability to travel, and they develop methods to
  teach travel skills tailored to each persons
  needs.
• The benefits of successfully completing a travel
  training program include
• More choices and flexibility for travel
• Greater self-esteem and independence
• Better access to employment, job training,
  post-secondary
• education and recreation

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The Basics

• Know your rights
• Know your responsibilities
• Know the steps you can take from easiest to most
  serious

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Basic Tools of Advocacy

• Riders Guide (with essential phone numbers)
• Pad of Paper
• Pen or Pencil
• Tracking Form/ Trip Log
• Essential Phone Numbers (supervisor, advocates)
• More Troubleshooting Tools on Website
  www.paratransittexas.org
• Asking for Driver Information

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Before Your Trip

• Reservations/Subscriptions
• Trip Changes/Will Calls
• Cancellations/No Shows
• Mentioning a Personal Care Attendant
• Curb to Curb vs. Door to Door services

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During The Trip

• Passenger Assistance
• PCA/Companion Service
• Restraint/Securement
• Maximum Ride Time
• Trip Changeschanges during the ride

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During The Trip

• Passenger Assistance
• PCA/ Companion Service
• Restraint/ Securement
• Maximum Ride Time
• Trip Changeschanges during the ride

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During The Trip

• Passenger Assistance
• PCA/ Companion Service
• Restraint/ Securement
• Maximum Ride Time
• Trip Changeschanges during the ride

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During The Trip

• Passenger Assistance
• PCA/ Companion Service
• Restraint/ Securement
• Maximum Ride Time
• Trip Changeschanges during the ride

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During The Trip

• Passenger Assistance
• PCA/ Companion Service
• Restraint/ Securement
• Maximum Ride Time
• Trip Changeschanges during the ride

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After The Ride Ends

• Offering Feeback to your provider best practices
• Suspension
• Appealing To Get Service Back
• Where To Get Help For your Appeal

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Advocacy Scenario 1

• Understanding the rules and terminology of the
  provider can help you make your case.

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Advocacy Scenario 2

• Whether things go good or bad with a driver,
  always know how to directly contact the provider.

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Advocacy Scenario 3

• Writing down the details helps you to understand
  your schedule and to track your rides.

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What Advocacy Services Can I Use?

• Local and State resources
• Independent Living Counselors can help at your
  local Center for Independent Living for local
  info call 1-877-371-7353 or www.txsilc.org
• Advocacy, Inc.s mission is to advocate for,
  protect, and advance the legal, human, and
  service rights of people with disabilities. For
  local info call 1-800-252-9108 or
  www.advocacyinc.org/index.cfm
• PEAC offices In Tyler, Fort Worth, and El Paso
  for local and statewide info call 1-877-542-5101
• or www.paratransittexas.org

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What Services Can I Use?

• National
• National Council on Disabilities
• Independent federal agency making recommendations
  to the President and Congress on disability
  policy. www.ncd.gov/
• Easter Seals Project Action
• promotes cooperation between the transportation
  industry and the disability community to increase
  mobility for people with disabilities
  ...http//projectaction.easterseals.com/
• Federal Transit Administration
• FTA's mission includes ensuring
  non-discriminatory, equitable, accessible and
  safe public transportation, enhancing the social
  and economic quality of life for people
  with disabilities... www.fta.dot.gov/civil_rights.
  htm

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Summary

• Dont be a passive rider
• Have emergency numbers with you
• Develop a rapport with the driver
• Observe bus/lift conditions
• Show appreciation for good service

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Closing

• Paratransit 104 Travel Training
• Please evaluate this training on Paratransit
  Self-Advocacy Tools at www.paratransittexas.org/pr
  esentations-0
• Thank you