About: Transportation Coalition
What is the Accessible Transportation Community Initiative (ATCI)?
The Accessible Transportation Community Initiative (ATCI) Project is a systems change model designed to improve access to and use of transportation options in the community. This model combines Easterseals Project Action Consulting (ESPAC) facilitation, technical assistance, and public engagement skills to assist selected communities increase or improve accessible transportation. Selected communities receive on-site facilitation and targeted technical assistance during a two-day event to learn the ATCI model and develop an accessible transportation plan. ESPAC continues to provide targeted technical assistance over the subsequent year including an on-site visit while communities implement this plan.
Supports the creation and maintenance of strong and equal linkages among the disability community, the transportation industry, and other community groups interested in independent mobility;
Attracts commitment at the highest levels of organizations to work on mobility solutions;
Assists a coalition to either build on or create a new plan to address mobility issues; and
Promotes meaningful systems change in accessible transportation within livable communities.
The ATCI framework is a model designed to reach consensus from diverse stakeholders regarding the commitment needed and actions necessary for improving mobility. Over the two-day event, ESPAC staff will facilitate discussion designed to complete the steps below.
Step 1: Establish a sense of urgency – gives everyone an opportunity to bring forth the critical issues around independent mobility for your community.
Step 2: Create a clear vision – allows the group to reach agreement around what you want accessible transportation to be in your community while helping you to become comfortable with the process of working together as a group.
Step 3: Develop an action plan – puts in writing measurable objectives and concrete steps toward achieving the change you agree is needed, including a timeline and assigned tasks.
Step 4: Grow your coalition – allows you to add members to your coalition to include the additional knowledge, influence and support it will need.
Step 5: Structure your coalition – puts in place the things needed to sustain progress over an extended period of time, such as a consistent message to communicate about your efforts and ways to maintain contact among members and keep your group viable and effective.
Southwest Washington Has Two Accessible Transportation Coalitions!
Vision: Develop Accessible, Coordinated and Sustainable Regional Transportation and Mobility Options and Choices!
The Accessible Transportation Coalition for Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties began with a Technical Assistance Award from Easterseals Project Action. This Coalition was 1 of 10 around the country to receive the Technical Assistance Award based on a grant application submitted in 2012 by C-Tran, Bob Sellers representing the low/no vision community, and Community in Motion (formerly the Human Services Council). This Coalition continues to meet quarterly to identify transportation barriers and challenges for at-risk populations and develop solutions to ensure all residents have access to safe, affordable transportation.
The Accessible Transportation Coalition representing Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties was also 1 of 10 grantees around the country to receive a Technical Assistance and Financial grant from Easterseals Project Action in 2017. This grant application was submitted by the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Council of Governments, Twin Transit, representatives from the State Agency on Aging and Disabilities, Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services, and Community in Motion (formerly the Human Services Council). The Coalition is working diligently to support transportation options for all individuals in this five county area to access services in the region. Coalition members are currently working on the recruitment of additional volunteer drivers in all five counties, education and marketing to ensure residents are aware of the various transportation options available to them, and will also be assisting with the expansion of the Community in Motion's Trip Resource Center (TRC) to include online trip planning tools for Pacific, Lewis and Grays Harbor Counties; Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Klickitat resources are already available through the TRC.