OREGON'S MOBILITY NEEDS: SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER SURVEY

In 1998, the Oregon Department of Transportation undertook the Social Services Provider Survey as part of an investigation of the transportation needs of mobility impaired individuals in Oregon. This survey was designed to gain information about the transportation needs of the low income, elderly and disabled from the perspective of organizations who work closely with mobility impaired populations. It followed statewide surveys of transportation needs from the perspectives of the mobility impaired individuals and public transportation providers. Local offices providing state- or federally-supported social services were mailed a written survey. Over 400 agencies responded representing education, senior and disabled services, health, vocational rehabilitation, community colleges, mental health and others. The study found that nearly all agencies serve the mobility impaired, with approximately 40% of their clients having one or more mobility impairments. The findings showed that 75% of the agencies provide some type of transportation for their participants. Only 4% of the agencies charge for transportation. Funding comes from a wide variety of sources, some requiring specific limits on types of trips or groups of participants. Policy limits increase the travel limitations of these programs. Agencies rated public transportation's ability to provide trips. Nine of ten felt that their clients had additional transportation needs not currently met by public transportation. Over half estimated that an average of two or more additional trips per week was needed, with 18% noting the need for more than six additional trips. Social/recreational, work, personal business and shopping trips were the most difficult to obtain. More services, more hours and days of operation, and better connections with other services were key recommended improvements. Findings were consistent across the three surveys. Transportation needs for social service clients are similar to the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. Statewide, there is a need for more transportation services. Service improvements are needed, though specific improvements vary geographically.

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• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14420
• Corporate Authors:

  Northwest Research Group, Incorporated

  400 108th Avenue NE, Suite 200
  Bellevue, WA  United States  98004

  Oregon Department of Transportation

  Research Section, 200 Hawthorne Avenue, SE, Suite B-240
  Salem, OR  United States  97301-5192

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1999-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 59 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Low income groups; Mobility; Needs assessment; Persons with disabilities; Social service agencies; Surveys; Transportation disadvantaged persons
• Geographic Terms: Oregon
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00769458
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-OR-RD-99-27,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: SPR 395
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 15 1999 12:00AM