“Advancing Access and Equity” is the theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This awareness month is observed every October to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and economy. NDEAM also showcases inclusive employment practices and policies to help both employers and employees. Resources to celebrate NDEAM, such…
Guest Blogger—Alvaro Villagran is director of federal programs for the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC). The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is a public-interest organization and an international thought leader in shared mobility. SUMC is working to replace car-centric transportation with people-focused shared mobility to fight climate change, promote equity and universal access, and strengthen community. Since…
Guest Blogger—David Stephen is the senior communications specialist for the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) and leads the development of #ConnectingMyCommuity, the National Transit Frontline Worker Toolkit and Campaign. Learn more about the toolkit at transitworkforce.org/connect, or contact him at dstephen@transportcenter.org. Guest Blogger—Shayna Gleason is a research associate with ITLC. She conducts varied research projects,…
Transportation providers serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers understand that transportation is vital to the health of their riders, but often health is thought of in broad terms, and mental or behavioral health gets overlooked. Yet statistics show that behavioral health, a term which encompasses both mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs),…
Guest Blogger – Tracey Shifflett serves as the Strategic Communication Specialist for the FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC). She works with agency leadership and subject matter experts, as well as disability stakeholders and interagency partners, to provide information and resources that help people with disabilities before, during and after disasters. Reach her…
Transportation plays a critical role in a person’s ability to access the services, programs, jobs, and support they need to live in their communities. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy for a transportation agency is stronger when it is truly reflective of our community and services are usable and accessible to all people. Accessibility…
Transportation allows individuals with disabilities to achieve and sustain employment, and as employment opportunities expand for people with disabilities to work in integrated settings, transportation services to these jobs become even more important. While Medicaid waiver programs often cover transportation costs, some communities struggle to provide reliable transportation options afterhours or to employment outside of…
An Interview with Dona Sauerburger, COM This interview was conducted by NADTC staff Ken Thompson with Dona Sauerburger. Dona is a certified orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist, providing O&M to adults in their communities in Maryland and DC. She has had a special interest in preparing people who are blind or have low vision to…
Guest Blogger – Victoria Wright, Program Manager, Transit Planning for All Project, U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). The Administration for Community Living (ACL) focuses on maximizing the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers. ACL’s vision for all people, regardless of age and…
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion! We hear these words a lot, in the media, in our workplaces, even in everyday conversation…but what do they mean when applied to transportation? These are complex issues without simple answers, deserving of time and attention by all who care about the availability of accessible transportation for all who live in…