1 00:00:00,072 --> 00:00:03,888 (gentle music) 2 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,090 - Ride Connection is a nonprofit organization. 3 00:00:09,090 --> 00:00:11,730 Our mission is to link accessible responsive 4 00:00:11,730 --> 00:00:13,620 transportation with community need. 5 00:00:13,620 --> 00:00:16,980 Really focusing on the individual and what is available 6 00:00:16,980 --> 00:00:20,070 in the community and making the connection where necessary. 7 00:00:20,070 --> 00:00:21,630 - I think from the healthcare side, 8 00:00:21,630 --> 00:00:24,450 we knew that transportation was a huge barrier for people. 9 00:00:24,450 --> 00:00:26,730 To be able to get to their medical appointments, 10 00:00:26,730 --> 00:00:29,040 to access food or get to a job, 11 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:32,220 - The need for transportation, it's universal. 12 00:00:32,220 --> 00:00:34,890 Everyone at some point in their life 13 00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:37,530 is going to need help with transportation. 14 00:00:37,530 --> 00:00:40,920 - So back in 2013, what we had identified 15 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:44,370 is really the need for a different approach 16 00:00:44,370 --> 00:00:48,120 to transporting people to dialysis treatment. 17 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:51,000 People were so worried about missing their ride 18 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:53,250 that they would end their treatment early 19 00:00:53,250 --> 00:00:54,900 in order to make their ride, 20 00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:56,820 and we knew we needed to change that. 21 00:00:56,820 --> 00:00:58,860 - Ride Connection was able to get funding 22 00:00:58,860 --> 00:01:00,870 for their Mobility for Health program. 23 00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:03,060 - [Julie] There became an opportunity available 24 00:01:03,060 --> 00:01:04,950 through the Transit Planning 4 All. 25 00:01:04,950 --> 00:01:06,570 We had an advisory committee 26 00:01:06,570 --> 00:01:10,260 that was made up of 50% patients and other clinicians. 27 00:01:10,260 --> 00:01:12,690 We had a driver on our committee, 28 00:01:12,690 --> 00:01:14,940 as well as others within the community. 29 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:17,520 There were four components that we wanted to work on 30 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:18,660 to affect change. 31 00:01:18,660 --> 00:01:20,730 Education, outreach 32 00:01:20,730 --> 00:01:23,220 and having a specific volunteer driver program 33 00:01:23,220 --> 00:01:25,230 for dialysis transportation. 34 00:01:25,230 --> 00:01:27,990 As well as we wanted to test the ideas 35 00:01:27,990 --> 00:01:29,880 that had come out of the focus group. 36 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:33,390 By including patients in this process, 37 00:01:33,390 --> 00:01:38,220 we really learned there were some small changes we could do 38 00:01:38,220 --> 00:01:39,660 to operational protocols 39 00:01:39,660 --> 00:01:41,280 that would make the world of difference. 40 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,080 - [Leslie] Ride Connection will pick you up 41 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:44,490 and take you right there. 42 00:01:44,490 --> 00:01:46,890 Knowing that I can get somewhere safely, 43 00:01:46,890 --> 00:01:48,270 it just means everything. 44 00:01:48,270 --> 00:01:50,553 It makes everything possible. 45 00:01:50,553 --> 00:01:52,950 - So we really, as an organization, 46 00:01:52,950 --> 00:01:54,840 looked at planning for the future 47 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,750 and how could we implement the changes we made 48 00:01:57,750 --> 00:02:00,090 in order to better serve the community. 49 00:02:00,090 --> 00:02:01,020 - [Rachel] We were able to do 50 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:03,480 a lot of different programs together since then, 51 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,540 really trying and seeing how can some of these 52 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:08,970 you know, non-emergent medical transportation 53 00:02:08,970 --> 00:02:12,060 partnerships work for specific disease conditions, 54 00:02:12,060 --> 00:02:13,650 as well as different vulnerable 55 00:02:13,650 --> 00:02:15,411 and marginalized communities. 56 00:02:15,411 --> 00:02:19,451 - It is very easy to call the service center 57 00:02:19,451 --> 00:02:23,640 and arrange rides in advance. 58 00:02:23,640 --> 00:02:25,560 - Engaging community members. 59 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,440 Having them take ownership of the program 60 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,960 and having them even name the program 61 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:35,520 and brand the program really spoke volumes to the community. 62 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:36,870 There were three individuals 63 00:02:36,870 --> 00:02:38,370 that I met through this process 64 00:02:38,370 --> 00:02:40,770 that I believe changed the way that I think 65 00:02:40,770 --> 00:02:42,450 about independent mobility. 66 00:02:42,450 --> 00:02:45,180 Troyce, Andrea and Elizabeth 67 00:02:45,180 --> 00:02:49,200 made significant commitments, sacrifices, 68 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,680 and created a space where we could learn from them. 69 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,110 We built this for the community, 70 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:56,340 with the community. 71 00:02:56,340 --> 00:02:59,130 - I was on a committee for Ride Connection. 72 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:03,690 It felt wonderful to know that my voice was heard. 73 00:03:03,690 --> 00:03:05,910 They actually called me 74 00:03:05,910 --> 00:03:08,880 and that made me feel my input was valuable. 75 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,850 - And we truly believe that any planning, 76 00:03:11,850 --> 00:03:15,450 any work, any data analysis that has to do 77 00:03:15,450 --> 00:03:17,040 with members of the community 78 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,320 that are affected by the transportation service 79 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:20,370 you're going to create, 80 00:03:20,370 --> 00:03:22,770 are involved in the process. 81 00:03:22,770 --> 00:03:25,710 - For older adults and people living with disabilities. 82 00:03:25,710 --> 00:03:28,290 A lot of systems are not built to accommodate them. 83 00:03:28,290 --> 00:03:30,600 I think what sets Ride Connection apart 84 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,830 from other organizations, is the focus on every individual. 85 00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:37,470 Everybody coming in has a different story, 86 00:03:37,470 --> 00:03:38,550 has a different need, 87 00:03:38,550 --> 00:03:42,420 making sure that they act with an equity and mission lens, 88 00:03:42,420 --> 00:03:44,100 but being very customer focused 89 00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:46,244 in every element of their work. 90 00:03:46,244 --> 00:03:51,118 (gentle music)