Section 5310, Elderly & Persons with Disabilities Transportation ProgramThe Federal Transit Administration provides ADOT in excess of $3.9 million in formula FTA and Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds annually through the capital assistance program. While the standard matching rate historically has been 80% federal and 20% local, ADOT may use higher federal rates at its discretion. Program funds are used annually primarily for capital assistance, for the purchase of over 120 van type vehicles and related equipment statewide. In addition, a new federal class of grant called "mobility management" is available to assist agencies and communities with their coordination efforts. Eligible recipients include private non-profit and public agencies that provide transportation to the elderly and disabled. The utilization of special transportation includes:
The 5310 Program has approximately 150 contractors in the field, most of them private non-profit (PNP) agencies or groups. Public agencies may function as grant recipients where no PNPs exist to provide the service, or the state determines such funding is in the best interest of coordination in the region. Moreover, Native American communities have been very active in the Program. At any given time these recipient providers represent over 350 vehicles on ADOT lien (for a "useful life") of four years or 100,000 miles. Examples of Section 5310 providers are senior centers and programs for the physically, mentally (including seriously mental ill or SMI) and developmentally disabled (DD) populations. Successful applications for the grant program are initially adjudicated through a regional application evaluation and screening process, which includes ADOT and non-ADOT transportation and human service professionals. The 5310 Program utilizes the assistance of COG (Council of Government) and MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) planning offices to screen applicants within the state's nine planning regions. ADOT then makes the final decision regarding awards based on this input and available budget. Reviewers look at the proposals from the perspective of a number of evaluation factors including expressed need for service and/or equipment, population served, financial capability to support funding, existing fleet inventories, coordination efforts, and previous performance.
Coordination is a key element which is now required for all FTA programs. In order to be awarded grant assistance, successful applicants must be included in their Regional Coordination Plan and have participated in related activities. The following link is a U.S. Department of Transportation web site containing information to help ensure safe and secure transportation for persons with disabilities in the event of a disaster or emergency. The site includes advice on emergency preparedness, transportation accessibility, and evacuation methods for rail and transit systems. Disabled individuals and transportation providers can learn how to respond during disasters or emergency situations ranging from evacuations of mass transit systems to being trapped in a car during a blizzard or hurricane. The site also includes links to Department of Homeland Security web pages that provide information on preparing for specific emergencies, including natural disasters such as severe weather, fire and earthquakes, as well as man-made disasters such as spills of hazardous materials. USDOT Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Please contact Ms. Loretta Crimi for Section 5310 assistance. |
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