National Mobility Awareness Month is observed during the month of May. National Mobility Awareness Month encourages people with disabilities to help raise awareness of the mobility solutions available in their community.
Over 18 million people live with mobility issues. Among older Americans, mobility challenges are the most common disability. By raising awareness of mobility issues, the development of solutions is encouraged and progress is acknowledged. Mobility issues shouldn’t stop anyone from getting to their destination. People with disabilities can drive or ride in a safe and comfortable way through increasing developments in automotive equipment options and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Some of the developments include driving controls that allow you to operate foot pedals by hand and fully-converted wheelchair accessible vehicles.
For years now, our friends at Collier Area Transit (CAT) have been providing safe, accessible and reliable transportation to our STARability participants and other individuals with disabilities throughout the community with a Paratransit system known as CATConnect for Collier County. CATConnect is a shared ride door-to-door transportation service provided for individuals who do not have access to any other means of transportation, including the CAT bus service (fixed route). The CATConnect program provides transportation service for eligible individuals through several funding programs, including the Florida Department of Transportation, Agency for persons with Disabilities and Florida Commissions for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
CATConnect can be used for medical appointments, work, school and other trips depending on the funding program the individual qualifies under. Cooperation and flexibility from customers will allow CATConnect to better serve its customers.
How to Apply: To learn more about the eligibility requirements of the system please read below. Individuals who are interested in using the paratransit service must apply through a written application and may contact the Mobility Manager Office at 239.252.7272 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications can be found by clicking here.
If there are any other mobility or accessible transportation resources you’d like to share, feel free to leave a comment below!
