February 2018 Featured Discussion: What are some promising ways to obtain affordable, accessible transportation using self-direction strategies?

Questions about Self-Directed Supports or Self-Determination

I want to make sure that everyone has looked at the 

Dane County TimeBank 

Transportation project

The TimeBank transportation project aims to create pools of drivers who are interested in helping members with various types of transportation needs including rides to medical appointments, restorative justice and youth court related rides, social/recreational rides, errands, rides to work, and more.  When someone has a ride need we try to match them with an available driver.  This works best when it is planned in advance.  The TimeBank is always looking to increase our driver pool to increase our chances of being able to find an available driver.  Approved drivers can earn gas cards for every 250 miles they drive.

Medical Transportation

Drivers for medical transportation help those people in need of rides for health related appointments access safe, affordable transport. Drivers receive TimeBank hours for their time driving and can earn gas cards for every 250 miles driven. In collaboration with Dane County Transportation Services and local health providers, medical transportation fills gaps in services for those needing access to regular medical appointments who have limited personal or financial resources. The focus of this program has been to find transportation solutions for people living outside the city of Madison where public options for transportation are limited and rides cover a longer distance; however, all Dane County residents are eligible for services.

Details of Medical Driving

• Weekly rides are provided for those needing transportation to regular, reoccuring medical treatment, for example dialysis. We may be a resource to help those who need to access other medical appointments with less predictable schedules. 
• Many clients in need of services live in the communities outlying the Madison metropolitan area, including (but not limited to) Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Stoughton, McFarland, and Oregon.
• We provide a bulk of service to two main dialysis centers in Dane County located just outside of Fitchburg.  A smaller center is located on Madison's far east side close to Sun Prairie. Non-dialysis rides are provided at various health centers in the city of Madison, primarily.
• Drivers pick up client at their home and bring them to their appointment at the dialysis center OR pick-up at dialysis center to return home - sometimes taking more than one rider. Some drivers commit to one or more ride in a week, and are matched based on schedule compatibility and geography. 
• Non-dialysis rides are matched with drivers who can not commit to weekly rides, but are available to help fill-in when needed. Drivers commit to bringing to the appointment and the return ride home (sometimes waiting with the client), and are matched based on schedule compatibility and geography.
• Clients will be released to a driver only if in safe, medical condition.  Some clients have additonal health needs or use a wheelchair/ walker.  Drivers are provided with necessary details, and matched with riders who they feel they can transport safely and comfortably.
• There are rare instances where we are unable to match a rider with a driver due to low number of available drivers or other factors

Benefits for Drivers

• Maintain a regular schedule providing an invaluable service to strengthen our community
• Meet new and interesting people - have a great conversation or be a quiet presence
• Make new friends with unexpected people
• Earn TimeBank Hours for your time providing transportation and waiting at medical appointments
• $20 gas card for every 250 miles of wellness-focused transportation you provide

Requirements for Drivers

• You are extremely reliable
• You have your own vehicle in safe, operating condition
• You carry automobile insurance with state minimums
• You are willing to complete background screening and driving record check **
• You are patient, kind, and have a comfort with a variety of people
• For more information or to become a driver, please email Bunny  - TimeBank Coordinator, or call 608-663-0400.

** We can not approve drivers with a record of multiple OWIs, reckless driving, or more than 90-day revocation of license. A criminal history of major theft, fraud, sexual or physical abuse especially of vulnerable persons is also prohibited for drivers in this program.

Requirements for Passengers

• It is not necessary to be a member of the TimeBank to recieve medical rides; however riders must be approved by Dane County Transportation Services. Please call 608-242-6489 to see if you qualify for medical transportation with DCTB.
• If you are a member of the TimeBank, you may contact other members to arrange transportation for any of your needs, medical, pharmacy, recreation, activities, or other medical. Please call 608-663-0400 to sign up as a TimeBank member.
• Passengers with folding wheelchairs, walkers, or canes can be transported by some of our drivers - we currently are not able to transport motorized wheel chairs or scooters.
• Passenger must be in stable medical condition when recieving rides. Drivers have the right to decline service if a passenger is not able to be transported safely or needs medical attention.

For more information about TimeBank transportation programs, please email Bunny - Transportation Coordinator, or call 608-663-0400.

  Receiving Service:  Arranging Transportation with the TimeBank

• Please consider the TimeBank Medical Transportation program as an option for helping to meet transportation needs for medical appointments. Our main focus has been providing transportation to rural dialysis patients, providing assistance with transportation when family, friends, or other resources are not available. We may have the capacity to help with other medical appointments, please inquire about available service.
• TimeBank drivers must pass all background screening requirements, carry state insurance minimums, and follow all traffic laws when transporting riders.
• All rides are non-smoking and require passengers wear a seatbelt. We are not able to transport power wheelchairs, although some drivers are able to manage folding wheelchairs, walkers, or similar mobility devices. Please indicate specific needs when making a referral or requesting service.
• TimeBank volunteers are reimbursed for gas and given time credit by the Dane County TimeBank for their service transporting clients - TimeBank drivers are never paid by the client, nor are riders billed for services. It is not necessary for riders to be members of the Dane County TimeBank to receive services, although all people are welcome to join, if interested. For general information about TimeBank membership call 608.663.0400. 
• It may take a month or more to make an appropriate match with an available driver(s) - please have an alternative while a match is made. Rides that cover great distances or that are at odd hours typically are more difficult to schedule, but may be possible - please, indicate all days and times rides are needed when making a referral or requesting service. Passengers approved for medical transportation are subject to approval by Dane County Transportation Service. Please call 608-242-6489 to learn if you qualify.
• Drivers are volunteers who are committed to a regular schedule, but may not be able to help beyond their current schedule. Please contact Bunny, TimeBank Coordinator to make a referral, schedule additional rides, or to discuss services: email or call 608-663-0400.

If you'd like to be approved as a medical driver please fill out this application and return by email totransportation@danecountytimebank.org or by mail to Dane County Timebank, 1202 Williamson Street, #107, Madison 53703.

https://www.danecountytimebank.org/projects/transportation

I would like to spread the awareness in each of the other 71 counties of Wisconsin to put this project in place in each county of Wisconsin.   

2017 Self-Determination Conference

Open Discussion

Stacy,

We have over 28 programs for adaptive water skiing, and we are building a great relationship with the folks at myTeam Triumph.    I completely respect that you would never partake in that, and that you have your own perspective on that.      There are other groups that do power soccer and so forth.      Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (WASA) is a great group for all the team sports.      To see what you missed at Emergency Preparedness, I welcome you to check out https://cpd.wisconsin.gov/toolkit.htm    

If there is anything I can do to help the kick-off event and the dance to be more attractive and satisfying for all attendees with physical disabilities, I am happy to help any and all of these new ideas and interests.

Thank you for sharing your personal opinion as I believe that these are the conversations we need to be having.

The VA coordinated with the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2014 and 2015 to run a very impressive EveryBODY Plays! Adaptive Sports and Recreation Expo which evolved to over 50 experiences right on the grounds of Nathan Hale High School in West Allis.     I proceed with the premise that if it is possible to do this for an event, it is possible to deliver over 50 options to folks at home all across Wisconsin and for Conference information and experiences like the Self-Determination Conference.  

2017 Self-Determination Conference

Open Discussion

The Self-Determination Conference had Ben Barrett Chairperson of the Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities, Karen Secor Chairperson for the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit by the Council, and me as Vice-Chair of the Council present on the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit.     I hope that our workshop entirely made people with physical disabilities feel like you all belong.        I also enjoyed tremendously the work done by My Team Triumph with their booth, the keynote, and the workshop.     This has huge belonging for people with physical disabilities.      I don't mean to negate Stacy's point.     I point out a couple of these experiences for me as if there is anything I can do with the organizers of the Self-Determination Conference to help assure in upcoming years that people with physical disabilities are experiencing their expectations being met, I feel it is the role I have taken on in volunteerism.        I am happy to be of service in any and every way that I can.

I know the Self-Determination Conference to be a great success of the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and the other networks they rely on.    This was my first time being able to experience the Conference thanks to Adaptive Community Approach Program (ACAP) of Waukesha.     When I was involved with Ben, Karen, and Micki (DHS staff), I added the breakdown that the Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities encompasses I/DD, deaf, blind, physical disabilities, alcohol and other substance abuse, and mental health.      I am completely impressed with what the I/DD community has done to lead the charge on this Conference now 10 years strong.        The Toolkit we presented was inspired by the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf and others through that network in how they created a Toolkit for emergency preparedness with the deaf community in mind.         I think we are at the cusp of bringing these different factions of the entire disability community together like never ever before.         I applaud whatever the Wisconsinites who have a physical disability want to do to propose more attraction and satisfaction with being involved as they seek to be with the event within the Conference.        Thanks for making this conversation available online like this.   

I got into this channel of disability services and activities through adaptive water skiing brought to our Ski Club by ACAP Waukesha 25 years ago.     My work throughout the year is wildly in the realm of over 50 options for adaptive sports, recreation, hobbies, leisure, pastimes, and therapeutic activities.    I am thinking that My Team Triumph has lived up to their name and perhaps created a great pathway by which to keep rolling into this direction of activities which is remarkable by and for people with physical disabilities.

Huzzah!