NOACA’s Specialized Transportation Program helps the elderly and physically disabled in the urbanized counties of Cuyahoga, Lake and Lorain get to work, doctors’ appointments and shopping.

NOACA staff works with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), social service agencies, senior centers, and communities to coordinate the purchase of wheelchair-equipped vehicles for the elderly and disabled where existing transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate. Eighty percent of each vehicle is federally funded.

Organizations requesting a vehicle must apply for Section 5310 specialized transportation funding. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit corporations and public organizations that are either approved by the state to coordinate services or that certify to ODOT that no private nonprofit corporations provide transportation services to the elderly and disabled in their location.

NOACA and ODOT evaluate each application using the following criteria:

• Urgency of need
• Vehicle utilization
• Frequency of service
• Appropriateness of service
• Potential for vehicle coordination with other agencies or organizations
• Flexibility to transport low-income individuals to work