Transportation Ambassador Program (TAP)
Save the date for the next TAP Meeting on May 21, 2024, at 1 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and resources regarding human services transportation for older adults and persons with disabilities. Presentations will include updates from Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and BeConnected. You can register for the TAP meeting now.
Sprout Film Festival
The Sprout Film Festival is back. This year's festival will be held on April 26, 2024, at Pollack Tempe Cinemas. There will be three showings focusing exclusively on films celebrating the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Tickets go on sale April 1, 2024. For more information, visit arcarizona.org or email us at arc@arcarizona.org.
The Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy and meaningful lives. DDD provides supports and services for eligible Arizonans. Including those diagnosed with developmental disabilities. DDD has recently posted the following announcement: DDD has limited affordable housing opportunities in Maricopa and Pima Counties. Contact your Support Coordinator or the DDD Customer Service Center at 1-844-770-9500 (TTY/TDD 711) for more details.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public comments on a new proposed rule designed to ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity. The proposed rule has several provisions addressing accountable when airlines damage or delay the return of a wheelchair to its owner by making it an automatic violation of the Air Carrier Access Act to mishandle wheelchairs. For more details on the proposed rule, please visit this webpage or read DOT’s press release. Comments may be submitted online at this link, by mail or fax, or hand delivered through May 13, 2024.
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The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is offering new funding opportunities for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) programs. The purpose of RERC programs is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting research and development of innovative technologies designed to solve rehabilitation problems or remove environmental barriers. Proposals for the grant opportunity to support an RERC program on Technologies to Enhance Independence and Community Living Among People with Cognitive Disabilities are due on April 24, 2024. Proposals for the grant opportunity to support an RERC program on Technology for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are due on May 6, 2024.
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The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) is hosting a webinar Strategies to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness for People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers. Presenters will discuss the unique impact of dementia on social isolation and loneliness, tools for measuring these experiences, and common types of programs for addressing social isolation and loneliness among people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. Register for the webinar, occurring on April 23, 2024, 11:00AM (MST).
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The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC) is offering a new grant opportunity. The primary purpose of the grant is to increase the knowledge among individuals with I/DD, caregivers, support professionals, and provider agencies on how to recognize unsafe and/or harmful internet practices. The grant amount is up to $100,000, and the deadline to apply is due April 25, 2024, 3:00PM (MST). For more information about the grant and how to apply, visit the ADDPC's grant webpage.
 The Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced new funding opportunities under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) program for health and function research. The purpose is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities. The two funding opportunities focus on projects that propose research or development projects aimed at improving health and function outcomes of people with disabilities. Proposals are due April 8. For more details visit the ACL Research and Development funding websites.
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MAG offers trainings and workshops facilitated by our subregional mobility managers monthly. The trainings and workshops cover topics such as drivers’ safety, fleet management, and include an opportunity to discuss current service providers topics. The next workshop will be a Driver Safety workshop led by Justin MacGregor, Subregional Mobility Manager, from STARS. The workshop will cover driver safety techniques, vehicle care, and documentation required by MAG. Justin will also include a section on, Knowing Your Driver, with questions to ask a driver such as,
- What do you like most about driving?
- What types of vehicles have you driven?
- Do you feel comfortable driving the vehicle?
Driver Safety Workshop
If you have a suggestion for a story, an announcement you would like to share, questions about transportation program best practices, or would like to provide feedback for the newsletter, contact DeDe Gaisthea at DGaisthea@azmag.gov.
The Transportation Ambassador Program (TAP) values the diligent work of drivers and staff at agencies providing transportation services to the community. Nominations are now available to recognize an Outstanding Driver or staff member Years of Service at your agency. Selected nominees will be recognized at TAP meetings. Nomination forms for Outstanding Drivers and Years of Service are available in our website and are due 2 weeks before the TAP meeting. We greatly appreciate the support you provide for our community members!
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