United We Ride / Section 5310 Performance Measures Dialogue Now Open

Photo Courtesy of Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Through our technical assistance center, Easter Seals Project ACTION, FTA is sponsoring a national online dialogue through which we are seeking input on proposed performance measures for the Section 5310 (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) program.

Participate feedback is being sought on:

• What performance measures reflect the benefits of the Section 5310 program
• Top ways Section 5310 funding can be used to meet transportation needs
• The extent to which your agency will be able to collect data

The dialogue will run from today, March 31 to April 18. FTA will use the information to make decisions about future investment and policies related to Section 5310 providers.

We want to encourage participation among Section 5310 grant recipients and sub-grantees, Section 5310 service providers, national non-profit and community organizations, state and local agency officials and staff, advocates, and anyone with an interest in transportation service for people with disabilities and older adults.

The dialogue homepage http://fta5310grant.ideascale.com/ includes a link to a Background page http://www.projectaction.org/OutreachCommunity/OnlineDialogues/FTASection5310Dialogue.aspx with more information on Section 5310 and performance measures.  

Thank you for supporting this dialogue, and we look forward to an active discussion in the coming weeks.

This service is provided to you at no charge by United We Ride. Visit us on the web at http://www.unitedweride.gov/. 

FTA National Online Dialogue: Seeking Input on Section 5310 Performance Measures

Join the discussion from March 31 - April 18, 2014

Please Provide Input to the Federal Transit Administration on Section 5310 Formula Grant Performance Measures

Why Participate?

Performance measure data is important to FTA and valuable to Section 5310 grantees for many reasons, including:

• FTA will use this information in part to make decisions about future investments and policies related to Section 5310-funded providers.

• Performance measure data informs policymakers at multiple levels about the needs of States and communities regarding accessible transportation services;

• Grantees can use the information to improve their organizational processes and in outreach and communication with key stakeholders.

FTA is especially interested in hearing from national nonprofit organizations, community organizations, and public agencies that provide technical assistance and advocacy on issues related to transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

What is the Purpose of this Online Dialogue?

The purpose of this online dialogue is to get feedback on what performance measures can be used to best ensure a ride is accessible, available, affordable, and safe. MAP-21, the most recent federal authorizing legislation for the U.S. Department of Transportation, has a new initiative associated with the Section 5310 formula grants—for the Federal Transit Administration to submit a report to Congress recommending performance measures for these community grants.

Section 5310 grants are “intended to enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing funds for programs to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportations services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services.” *

* From the U.S. DOT FTA Fact Sheet: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Section 5310

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