About Mama of three

Dear Mama of 3,

It is great to see a concerned friend, neighbor step in to try to help someone in need. This is the way it should be.

Have you considered that a vehicle may not always be the best solution?

You stated that they are both on SSI and if they were to acquire a vehicle, the insurance, gas and maintenance may be more than they can afford.

As a disabled person in CT, they should be able to access free or reduced cost transportation for the scheduled medical treatments. They should inquire about benefits with a patient advocate at the treating facility and discuss all their needs and concerns so that they may direct them appropriately.

See the following info excerpted from this web page: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/age/rpt/2002-R-0880.htm

"TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AVAILABLE TO SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT Seniors and people with disabilities in eastern Connecticut have access to the same modes of transportation as the general public (fixed route public buses, for half fare, which are now fitted with wheelchair lifts or have low floors to make them physically accessible), railways, and private taxicabs, to the extent they are able to use them. Rail services also have "key stations" that are accessible to people with disabilities. Those seniors and disabled people who cannot use these modes of transportation may have access to dial-a-ride programs sponsored by their town or senior center or to dial-a-ride programs sponsored by their transit district under the federal ADA paratransit program. In some cases, dial-a-ride programs may also serve the general public (including seniors and disabled people) in rural areas where there are no public buses. "Dial-a-ride" is an informal term that covers a variety of services by various towns, nonprofit agencies, senior centers, and regional transit districts serving several towns. Some programs serve the elderly only; others serve the handicapped, including elderly people who are handicapped. They usually provide door-to-door or curb-to-curb transportation for medical appointments, shopping, or other social purposes for a small fee or requested donation and require at least 24 hours advance notice. These services are supported by a mix of federal, state, and municipal funds. ADA Paratransit Services (Handicapped Access Program) The existing state Handicapped Access Program mainly serves disabled people, but many elderly can qualify. The state uses this program to meet requirements under the ADA. It is part of ADA paratransit services and is limited to those who cannot ride buses or get to bus stops. The ADA requires every entity receiving public funds for fixed-route bus transit to offer equivalent ("complementary") paratransit services to ADA-eligible people in the service area and during the service hours of the fixed-route operation. The services must, at a minimum, be provided to people with qualifying disabilities whose travel origins and destinations are within ¾ of a mile of the fixed route services. The transit districts provide these paratransit services either through accessible buses or dial-a-ride. To use ADA paratransit, individuals must be certified as disabled according to federal law. The state subsidizes the operating costs for these services through its Handicapped Access Program. The state budget for FY 2002-03 contains about $ 8. 2 million for the Handicapped Access Program and another $ 2. 5 million for "dial-a-ride", which also goes to ADA paratransit. The legislature first appropriated the extra $ 2. 5 million in 1998 to make up for federal elimination of funding for operating expenses in large urban areas and has kept this appropriation level each year since then (the money goes to Greater Bridgeport, Greater Hartford, Greater New Haven, Middletown, and Milford transit districts)."

Best of luck in your efforts.