Here are some links for you to learn more about the issues and documents that are the basis for the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), United We Ride and this initiative:

The Need

For people who cannot drive or afford an automobile, access to transportation services is one of the major barriers of community based living.  Too often, the lack of transportation resources prevents individuals from being able to get to work, seek medical care, attend important events, and participate in recreational activities.  Sometimes, these challenges are even greater for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes.

Transportation plays a critical role in providing access to employment, health care, education, community services, and other activities necessary for daily living.  The importance of transportation is underscored by the myriad of programs that have been created in conjunction with health and human services programs and by the significant Federal investment in accessible public transportation systems throughout the nation.  Ironically, for most people who need transportation help, the creation of more programs has resulted in several unintended consequences: (1) transportation services are often fragmented, underutilized, or difficult to navigate; (2) transportation services can be costly because of inconsistent, duplicative, and often restrictive Federal and state program rules and regulations; and (3) at times, narrowly focused programs leave service gaps, and transportation services are simply not available to meet certain needs.

To mitigate these unintended consequences, the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) was created.

Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility:

The CCAM includes 11 Federal departments (64 programs) that are responsible for providing transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes.  CCAM members include the Secretaries of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veteran Affairs, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, the Attorney General, and the Chairperson of the National Council on Disability.  Collectively, the members work on issues regarding education and outreach, consolidated access, coordinated planning, regulatory barriers, cost allocation, and useful practices.

Early in its existence, the CCAM outlined the key issues and progress towards coordinating transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes in a Progress Report (2005-2007).

United We Ride:

The CCAM created and launched United We Ride (UWR) in 2004 to facilitate coordination between transportation and human services programs.  UWR recognizes that transportation is not a choice but a necessity.  Without ready access to transportation, simple daily activities for many Americans may be challenging or nearly impossible to accomplish.  UWR is committed to supporting a comprehensive, coordinated, human-service transportation system through its education, technical assistance, and funding initiatives.

UWR assists states and local communities with identifying transportation-service gaps and needs, reducing transportation duplication, creating more efficient and productive services, and facilitating the development of local partnerships and coordination plans.

The CCAM established the UWR Action Plan to address the need to coordinate transportation services across 64 different Federal programs.  The current administration will be updating the plan based on ideas generated from the National Dialogue, workgroup sessions with members of the CCAM, and priorities set by each CCAM member.  The 2007-2010 United We Ride Action Plan includes the following goals and objectives:

2007-2010 United We Ride Action Plan

Goal 1:  More rides for target populations for the same or fewer assets

  1. Track the implementation of the ‘Coordination Planning Policy’ and ‘Vehicle Sharing Policy’ adopted by the CCAM. 
  2. Develop, adopt, and implement cost sharing principles. 
  3. Assist communities with full education and inclusion from all stakeholders during the development and implementation of local and state coordination transportation plans. 
  4. Analyze Federal impediments to transportation coordination.

Goal 2:  Simplify access

  1. Implement Phase I and Phase II of the United We Ride/Mobility Service for All (MSAA) Demonstration Grant Program.
  2. Develop and disseminate information on how to use Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for enhancing simplified points of access.
  3. Provide technical assistance and training for communities.
  4. Collaborate with Federal partners on addressing specific transportation needs emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery.

Goal 3: Increase customer satisfaction

  1. Develop and disseminate customer focused information, tools and fact sheets.
  2. Share mechanisms and strategies regarding customer satisfaction.
  3. Conduct a National Leadership Award.

Accomplishments to Date

Over the past six years, the CCAM has made progress in meeting the objectives outlined in the Action Plan including the highlights below:

CCAM Policy Statements:

The CCAM has developed and implemented two joint policy statements: (1) Coordinated Planning and (2) Vehicle Sharing.  Visit the UWR Website to access the complete policy statements:

Coordinated Planning:

“Member agencies of the Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility resolve that Federally-assisted grantees that have significant involvement in providing resources and engage in transportation delivery should participate in a local coordinated human services transportation planning process and develop plans to achieve the objectives to reduce duplication, increase service efficiency and expand access for the transportation-disadvantaged populations as stated in Executive Order 13330.”

Vehicle Sharing:

“Member agencies of the Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility resolve that Federally-assisted grantees that have significant involvement in providing resources and engage in transportation should coordinate their resources in order to maximize accessibility and availability of transportation services”.

United We Ride Framework for Action:

The Framework for Action is a comprehensive evaluation and planning tool to help state and community leaders and agencies involved in human service transportation and transit services, along with their stakeholders, improve or start coordinated transportation systems.  Assessment and planning can be completed in one or two meetings.  Implementation time depends on the action items participants choose to pursue.  The Framework for Action is being used in communities across the country to assess the current status of coordinated transportation services and work forward to develop a coordinated transportation plan.  Click here to access the complete Framework for Action tool.

United We Ride Logic Model:

The attached Logic Model and Measures are designed as a technical assistance tool to help communities and states move their work forward (University of Wisconsin, 2005; W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 2004).  This tool is designed to assist in the difficult work of coordinating systems and blending efforts across service delivery systems at the national, state, and community levels.  These tools join the “Framework for Action” as a means of supporting local and state efforts.  Click here to access the complete UWR Logic Model and Measures Document.

Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan:

The Federal Transit Law, as amended by the Safe Affordable Efficient Transportation Equity Act –A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), requires that projects selected for funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and New Freedom programs be derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan (coordinated plan).  The requirements also outline that the coordinated plan be developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human services providers and participation by members of the public.  These coordinated plans identify the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes, provide strategies for meeting these needs, and prioritize transportation services for funding and implementation.   As a result, hundreds of communities are developing coordinated plans to meet this funding requirement.

Additional Online Resources: