By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County can be a difficult place to navigate – with many miles but few public transportation systems. Getting from Point A to Point B is even more problematic for people with developmental disabilities.
But on Thursday, Wood Lane Superintendent Brent Baer talked with the county commissioners about a solution to those transportation roadblocks.
“We have a level of need we are trying to meet for the people we serve,” Baer said.
While transportation is already available to medical appointments and employment, there is no system in place for meeting “quality of life” transportation needs.
“Our system has unique needs,” Baer explained. And many of those needs can’t be met by traditional transportation services.
“Not a lot of Ubers come with wheelchair lifts,” he said.
So the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities will soon be starting a pilot program, contracting with Viaquest Day and Employment Services. The program will use existing accessible vehicles during hours they aren’t being used now, and use drivers already trained in working with people who have developmental disabilities.
Starting April 1, Wood Lane consumers will be able to schedule rides with the pilot program. Their profile pictures and information on special needs will already be available to the drivers. The passengers will be allowed to bring a family member or support staff member with them.
Initially, rides will be available Mondays through Fridays, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., then on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Best of all, Baer said, the program will provide transportation anywhere in Wood County, for non-medical or work destinations.
“We’re ecstatic about that,” he said.
Wood Lane officials have been hearing for years about the need for expanded transportation services.
“The self advocates, they’ve been beating the drum – and we’re really proud to answer the call,” Baer said.
The evening and weekend rides will allow people in Wood Lane residences to go home and have dinner with the families, then return to their own homes. It will allow one young man in particular, who grew up working on his family farm, to spend every Saturday on the farm – and take the pressure off his parents to find accessible transportation for him.
“It’s going to increase family time. It’s a big deal,” Baer said.
Wood County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw applauded the pilot program.
“It gives them so much more freedom and so much more power over their own lives,” she said.
“This is leaps and bounds from where we have been,” Herringshaw said. “This is exciting news.”
Wood Lane Board President Ed Metzger pointed out that the program makes use of “sleeping assets” – existing vehicles that aren’t being used during those hours.
“It’s going to be a benefit in Wood County, for sure,” Metzger said.
In addition to visiting families, the transportation can be used to get people to church, sporting events, and other social activities. Baer is already predicting requests to transport people to Toledo Walleye games, which are quite popular with some Wood Lane consumers.
“We do know there is going to be pressure to expand,” he said.
The accessible transportation will also enable Wood Lane to provide services in local villages that until now had no public transportation.
“This should open up those communities as well,” Baer said. “We’re really excited about that.”
The pilot will start out with a monthly contract for $12,500, supported by the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities. There will be no cost to the individuals being transported.
