A Ride Away Project - By Danielle McGill

1. A Ride Away Project - By Danielle McGill

2. A Ride Away Project • Ann Storck Center was my host organization. It is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities • Ann Storck Center has an FDOT funded Mobility Management Facilitation Program, called “Community Transportation Connections” – Enhancing Mobility for Every Ability! • A Ride Away Project was created by myself and the ASC team because it had the same mission • A Ride Away Project was made as a way to help to individuals with disabilities in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

3. Taking on the Transportation Challenge • MISSION • A Ride Away Projectis to help individuals with disabilities and the transportation disadvantaged on their journey to independence. The Project educates individuals with disabilities about different transportation services within their county while promoting safety when traveling. • VISION • Educate individuals about different transportation options to increase their freedom and accessibility. • Educate individuals on self-advocacy on their journey to independence. • Promote and spread awareness about safety when traveling. • Create a community of inclusion by inspiring others by traveling on the different transportation options through the use of the A Ride Away Guide and A Ride Away Travel Training Workbook.

4. Goals and Objectives for the Journey! OBJECTIVES GOALS Identify public and private transportation challenges in Broward and Palm Beach Counties 1. Create an End-User Survey Peer to peer instruction to empower individuals with disabilities 2. Create Travel Training Tools Create material power point presentations, brochure, and social media to gain the attention of stakeholders and service providers. 3. Self- Advocacy Workshops

5. A Ride Away Project’s Plan of Action Fixed Route Bus Taxi/Uber GOAL: Help people on their journey to independence through transportation access. COMMUNITY INCLUSION & INDEPENDENCE Tri-Rail Community Bus

6. A Ride Away Project’s Resources • End User Survey (Advocacy Tool) • ASCRiderInsider Online Community (Social Media) (Peer to Peer Forum) • Rider Insider Transit Diary Videos (Peer to Peer Instructional Tools)

7. A Ride Away Project’s Resources Continued • A Ride Away Guide Advocates Guide to Getting to places!” • “A Ride Away Travel Pocket Guide” • “A Ride Away Guide” Travel Training Workbook • Ann Storck Center, Inc. Community Transportation Connections & A Ride Away Project Transportation Challenge

8. Resources from a Rider’s Perspective LET’S TAKE A LOOK!

9. Community Inclusion is Only a Ride Away! • Changing perceptions and stigma • Building confidence in an individual’s abilities • Individuals with disabilities have an active role in their communities. • .

10. A Ride Away Project’s Participation Community Presentations Outreach Self-Advocacy Efforts Center Independent Living Arc of Broward Dan Marino Foundation JAFCO Children Services Council Seven largest school districts Palm Beach Local Coordinating Board for Transportation Disadvantaged Human Services Transportation Summit Disability Expo 2017 Teens Transition Summit Inclusion Showcase Palm Beach Resource Fair Family Care Council Nonprofit Executive Alliance Workshop Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Advisory Board Meeting in Broward Transportation Disadvantaged Task Force member National Self-Advocates Council of the Arc CIL Leadership member Transportation Disadvantaged Legislative Awareness Day

11. A Ride Away Project Testimonials!

12. Advocacy Highlights Transportation Disadvantaged Legislative Day SB 1086 and SB 770 To amend the Transportation for the Disadvantaged services authorizing the use of uniformed fare payment system to be used by individuals with disabilities while traveling cross-county boundaries to their destination. As a transportation advocate for individuals with disabilities, I had the opportunity to meet with various Florida Legislators who took the time to listen and offer support of individuals considered to be transportation disadvantaged.

13. Advocacy Highlights Transportation Disadvantaged Taskforce of Florida As a transportation advocate for individuals with disabilities, I was appointed by Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to participate on a state wide taskforce that aimed to support individuals considered to be transportation disadvantaged.

14. Lessons Learned as a Fellow

15. Lessons Learned as a Fellow The Community Transportation Connections team and Ann Storck Center leadership supported me on my journey to independence by letting me discover my abilities. During my year long journey, I learned to utilize different transportation options within the local community and across county lines. With this in mind, our team approached this project to not only help others on how they see themselves on their journey to independence, but help change lives… like mine!

16. A Ride Away Project Leads to a Career In Advocacy • A Ride Away Project is giving me the independence and opportunities to start my own business. • Through this project I now want to do public speaking to help others on their journey! • People expressed interest in my life story not just A Ride Away Project. I have begun to write a book. • I have made new contacts throughout the year and have invited me to come speak at events locally and nationally. • Since May 2017, at the start of this fellowship, I have been employed for over a year.

17. A Ride Away Project’s Future • Travel Training Program: One-to-one or small group peer to peer instruction. • Rider Insider Ambassadors: Expanding the Project to have more skilled and knowledgeable riders, increased use of all modes of transportation, and more community inclusion

18. Facebook: @ASCRiderInsider Twitter: @ASCRiderInsider Toll-Free Telephone: 888-825-TRIP (8747) Danielle McGill Transportation AdvocateAnn Storck Center, Inc.dmcgill@annstorckcenter.org