AARP Florida Sponsors First Florida Mobility Forum

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-08-14 07:15:56.481247-04:00

Leaders Gather to Identify Key Issues Facing Aging Drivers

More than 153 transportation planners, aging-service experts, elected officials and AARP Florida volunteers met June 28-29 in Kissimmee at the state’s first-ever Mobility Forum to discuss the transportation needs facing older Floridians who no longer can drive to receive health care and other basic services. 

Attendees heard from officials representing the U.S. Administration on Aging, Federal Transit Administration and Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs, along with AARP National Board Member Dr. Byron Thames, AARP Florida State Director Bentley Lipscomb and AARP Florida State President Judy Thames, who served as moderator and host. 

Workshop topics included Community Planning for Senior Mobility, Safe Driving for Seniors, Transportation Options for Seniors and Emergency Evacuation for Seniors.

During the workshops, attendees were asked to select the key issues in meeting senior transportation needs. The top two issues were decided by workshop participants and presented at the closing session. Using wireless keypad voting technology, participants ranked mobility issues in order of importance to their community.

The final order of the top eight issues, from high to low, was as follows:

 

  1. Indemnify volunteer drivers.
  2. Immediate improvement of signs and markings.
  3. Create mobility counselors to provide information/training to ease transition from driver to passenger.
  4. Provide education of physicians, law enforcement, and judicial system, with regard to elder driver safety issues.
  5. Expand partnerships with businesses, faith organizations and other agencies to increase knowledge of where seniors are located; pre-planning and post-disaster response.
  6. Community assessments – identify tools, training and education on assessments, identify new plans.
  7. Leverage the framework for action through each county ’ s local coordinating board.
  8. Work with public relations companies to develop campaigns to educate about major evacuation plans, PSN shelters and disaster response.

 

The Forum Evaluation Forms completed by participants indicated they were satisfied/very satisfied with the speakers, plenary sessions, workshops and materials and the opportunities to network and share ideas with others.

Joining AARP in sponsorship of the forum were: Winter Park Health Foundation, METROPLAN Orlando, LYNX, Senior Resource Alliance, WPHF, Judith Thames, Director; Federal Highway Administration, Florida Division; Hillsborough County MPO, Carlin-Rogers Consulting and Orange County.

Related Articles

  • Beyond 50.05 A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Katherine Freund: Reinventing Life After Driving
  • Mobility in Europe and North America

Other Resources

  • Mobility for the Aging Population
  • Transit Industry Launches Initiative to Help Older Americans Stay Mobile
Comments

preview