Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) has launched Ride Match, an online regional directory of transportation options for seniors, people with disabilities, or anyone needing to travel in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. This tool can help you, your family members, or your consumers plan trips. Enter your town of origin and your destination, and the database will give you contact information for public, private, and non-profit transportation services that meet your needs. Riders can also specify day and time of travel and accommodations required if they choose. Comprehensive information is available for the GATRA service area and nearby towns, with some information available across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Transportation providers whose services are not already in the database can request to be included.

Starting December 10, individuals who apply for or recertify for THE RIDE will participate in a new in-person assessment process at the MBTA's THE RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC), located at 500 Rutherford Ave, 3rd floor, Charlestown. Assessments will be managed and administered by Innovative Paradigms, a California-based company.

The assessment process is not a medical determination of whether or not a rider has a disability. Disability alone does not determine ADA eligibility. Instead, the decision is based on a customer's ability to use the MBTA's general public transportation. 

To begin your application or recertification, call the TREC at 617-337-2727 to set up an appointment. You will not have to submit a paper application in advance. You may bring information provided by a healthcare provider if you wish, but this is optional. THE RIDE will provide free transportation to your appointment for yourself and one person, or free parking is available onsite if you get a ride from friends or family. The process will start with a 30-minute interview with a staff Mobility Coordinator, after which some applicants will be asked to participate in a functional assessment to test key skills such as walking, balance, and locating bus stops. The entire assessment may take up to 90 minutes. Applicants will be able to explain their circumstances in detail to the Mobility Coordinator, and family, friends, or caregivers can participate in the interview. Mobility Coordinators will also reach out to healthcare personnel to verify disabilities that cannot be tested in a functional assessment, such as visual impairment or psychiatric disabilities. Based on the results, you may be found eligible, temporarily eligible, conditionally eligible, or not eligible for THE RIDE. If you disagree with the results of your assessment, you have a right to appeal.

To learn more, you can find additional information on THE RIDE's webpage, or you can contact the TREC at 617-337-2727.

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) has partnered with human service transportation provider Access Express on a new initiative to bring accessible vans to Cape Cod. With New Freedom funding, CCRTA and Access Express launched Cape Cod Accessible Transportation on November 1. Cape Cod Accessible Transportation makes seven accessible minivans available daily from 5 AM to 2 AM. People with disabilities, seniors, veterans and anyone in need of assistance who live in or visit Cape Cod are eligible for this specialized service, and rates are comparable to taxi fares. Service is door-to-door, and vans are wheelchair-accessible. "We were hearing from our riders that taxis on the Cape could not accommodate wheelchairs, so we are pleased to provide Cape Cod Accessible Transportation to help our residents and visitors move about the Cape more easily," says Tom Cahir, Administrator of CCRTA. To make a reservation or to get more information, please call (508) 746-5715.

We would like to send a huge thank you to Joanne Champa for 30 years of service to our communities through her work at MassDOT. As Manager of Mobility Assistance Programs, Joanne has worked tirelessly to increase community transportation and improve community mobility around Massachusetts. We will all miss her greatly! Please join us in wishing her the best as she leaves MassDOT into what is sure to be an active retirement. We know she has already lined up plans to volunteer at a homeless shelter and take classes in gerontology.

Travel instructors, program leaders, and organizations hoping to start a travel instruction program are invited to join the Massachusetts Travel Instruction Network. The network has launched an email mailing list that members can use to share resources and best practices and brainstorm solutions to common challenges. Starting in 2013, the network also plans to host in-person meetings and/or conference calls. 

You can join the Massachusetts travel instruction email mailing list by visiting its webpage or by sending an email. Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions. We also recently launched a webpage on travel instruction in Massachusetts.

Easter Seals Project ACTION is offering a webinar on Transportation and Self-Advocacy Education to Support Transition for Students with Disabilities to Post-School Settings on December 12 and a webinar on Accessible Taxis on December 19. Click on the links to learn more and find out how to register in advance.

Are you on twitter? If so, follow us @MassMobility for links to community transportation resources relevant to organizations and agencies here in Massachusetts. If you aren't on twitter, you can still see our posts online at twitter.com/MassMobility/.

What social media are you using? Let us know where you like to find information and where you like to share information.

HST has launched a calendar of mobility management events and funding opportunities for Massachusetts.

If you have suggestions for news items or topics to cover in future newsletters, please contact us. Comments, questions, and feedback are also welcome.

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