Help TransLink make transportation more accessible to all!

Disability Alliance BC is partnering with TransLink to set up an online focus group discussion to receive feedback on TransLink’s social equity evaluation framework. We are looking for people with disabilities, seniors, youth at risk, newcomers to Canada, people for whom English is not their first language, or people living on a low income, to join a 90 minute, online focus group discussion Wednesday February 16th from 10:30 am – 12:00pm.

The purpose of this focus group discussion is to help make regional transportation more accessible to all, by looking at ways in which some people may experience barriers to accessing TransLink and its services. This focus group discussion will attempt to answer questions like:

  • What kind of communities will benefit from specific transportation investments?
  • In what ways will these communities benefit?
  • How much will they benefit relative to other communities, or relative to other investments?

Interested participants do not need to be active TransLink users in order to join the focus group discussion. TransLink is also interested in hearing from non-transit users to identify what barriers may exist to using TransLink’s services.

The focus group discussion will include a presentation by a TransLink facilitator, who will go over the main thematic areas within the social equity evaluation framework. This presentation will be sent to participants a few days ahead of the focus group discussion.

After attending the focus group discussion, each participant will receive a $75 honorarium and a 1-month 3-zone transit pass.

TransLink and Disability Alliance BC respect the privacy of interested participants and wish to assure that any feedback received during the focus group discussion will not be connected or recorded in any way so as to identify any specific person. Additionally, TransLink will only be requiring participants’ email addresses in order to send the meeting link for the online focus group discussion. DABC will be handling the distribution of honoraria and monthly transit passes, and will be requesting some contact information depending on whether the participant wishes to have it mailed to them or to pick it up at our office in downtown Vancouver.

If you are interested in participating in this focus group discussion, please send an email to jloh@disabilityalliancebc.org as soon as possible. A maximum of seven participants will be selected to join this focus group discussion. We anticipate there may be a high volume of interested participants, and so only selected participants will be contacted for further details.

In your email, please identify any accommodation requests you may have for the focus group discussion.

TransLink is recruiting for new members of the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee!

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) is accepting applications for the 2022 HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee (HDUAC) until October 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

The purpose of the HDUAC is for HandyDART customers and their representatives to provide advice and guidance on HandyDART plans, programs and other initiatives, and to advise TransLink on matters to improve HandyDART service for customers. The HDUAC allows TransLink to hear directly from customers and stakeholders and ensure the service meets their needs.

HandyDART customers, or individuals who have direct experience working with them, are eligible to sit on the HDUAC. If you take a collaborative approach to improving the service, we encourage you to apply. Members serve for two-year terms, with the option to extend for a maximum term of four years. Members attend a minimum of four meetings per year, hosted by TransLink. Members are appointed by the TransLink Board.

Please note, that meetings are currently being held virtually, and this may continue for the foreseeable future.

For more information or to apply online, visit the Access Transit page or call 778-375-7665.

Custom Transit Service Delivery Review Stakeholder Workshops

DABC has received the following notice from TransLink:

Dear HandyDART Stakeholder:

You’re invited!

In June 2016, the TransLink Board committed to undertake a review of the delivery model and policies for HandyDART. This was in response to a number of questions that had been raised at Board meetings, particularly around responsiveness to customer concerns, HandyDART and taxi service standards and quality, and the HandyDART service model and operations. This review will inform the Board of recommended changes to HandyDART policies and the service model.

Working with a project Stakeholder Advisory Committee composed of HandyDART customers, advocates, and front-line staff, we have identified key policies areas for change and are exploring service delivery model alternatives. Now, we want to hear your thoughts.

Background
TransLink initiated a Custom Transit Service Review in 2012 to understand how HandyDART could better meet the transportation needs of people with disabilities. As a result, positive changes have been made to the current service. Given recent customer feedback, the TransLink Board committed to undertake a deeper review of the design of HandyDART service delivery operations and service quality policies.

The current review considers best practices of peer agencies in other regions and input from key stakeholders with the goal of helping customers with disabilities get where they need to go safely and efficiently.

This is an ongoing review and no decisions have been made. Because of your extensive experience and knowledge of HandyDART service, we would like to invite you to participate in one of three Custom Transit Service Delivery Review Stakeholder Workshops which will take place on January 18 and 19. At this workshop, TransLink will share the changes that have been implemented since the completion of the last review in 2014, provide an overview of the service policies and delivery model alternatives that have resulted from the project process so far, and solicit your thoughts and opinions pertaining to the delivery model and policies.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 11, 2017 for one of the following three workshops by contacting Sarah Chung at sarah.chung@translink.ca or 778.375.6868, stating your preferred workshop date and time. If you require accommodation in order to participate in the dialogue, please contact Sarah to discuss your needs. Further information will be provided to registrants closer to the event dates.

Date:
Wednesday, January 18
Location:
Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 West Hasting Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B1L6
Time:
Registration: 1:15pm
Workshop: 1:30-3:30pm

Date:
Thursday, January 19
Location:
Pinetree Community Centre
1260 Pinetree Way
Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 7Z4
Time:
Registration: 11:45am
Workshop: 12:00-2:00pm

Date:
Thursday, January 19
Location:
Surrey City Hall
13450 104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3T 1V8
Time:
Registration: 6:15pm
Workshop: 6:30-8:30pm

To ensure we hear from a variety of perspectives, we ask that organizations limit attendance to a maximum of three representatives. Note that a separate event is being organized for HandyDART operations staff.

If you are unable to attend a session in-person, we still want to hear from you. An online survey will be available for you to provide your feedback.

We look forward to working with you on this important project to shape the future of HandyDART service for Metro Vancouver. Do not hesitate to contact Sarah Chung at sarah.chung@translink.ca or 778.375.6868 if you have any questions.

Kind regards,
Sarah Ross
Director, System Planning
Louise Hearty
Director, Access Transit Service Delivery

To download the invitation, please click here.