1. National Center for Accessible Transportation Getting to the Airport on Time: Research and Development of a Consumer-Driven Quick Reference Tool for Passengers With Physical Disabilities Anna Long, Ph.D.,Dean Westwood, M.S.W. and Michael McCarthy, M.S.W. Oregon Health & Science University TRANSED 2007, Montreal, Canada

2. National Center for Accessible Transportation Presentation Goals Background Background Focus group methods: recruitment, procedures, data analysis Focus group methods: recruitment, procedures, data analysis Results Results Applying results: A quick reference tool for Project ACTION Applying results: A quick reference tool for Project ACTION

3. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: provider input on:current training, needs, and organizational commitment provider input on:current training, needs, and organizational commitment consumer experiences about air travel and staff preparedness to provide safe, dignified assistance. consumer experiences about air travel and staff preparedness to provide safe, dignified assistance.

4. National Center for Accessible Transportation Why examine getting to and from the airport? Weak link and potential barrier to accessibility in the travel chain Weak link and potential barrier to accessibility in the travel chain Pre-link 1: TripPre-link 2: Link 1: Origin to Link 2: Boarding Link 3: Intermodal Planning, Info Point of Origin Point of Access Transportation Mode Transfer

5. National Center for Accessible Transportation Why examine getting to and from the airport? Airports not always accessible by public ground transportation Airports not always accessible by public ground transportation Airports may be far from individuals’ homes. Airports may be far from individuals’ homes. Luggage Luggage Travel to airport less frequently than other transport maybe more stressful travel experience. Travel to airport less frequently than other transport maybe more stressful travel experience.

6. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Group Recruitment: People with Physical Disabilities Collaboration – air carriers, subcontractors, community-based organizations Collaboration – air carriers, subcontractors, community-based organizations People with physical disabilities who have traveled within the past 12 months People with physical disabilities who have traveled within the past 12 months – Local, regional, and national events – Distribution of recruitment flyer at community-based organizations

7. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Procedure Structured, Co-facilitated focus groups (N=22) Structured, Co-facilitated focus groups (N=22) 4 focus groups of passengers: AZ, OR, MN 4 focus groups of passengers: AZ, OR, MN 2 hours in duration 2 hours in duration 5 to 8 participants per group 5 to 8 participants per group Audio-only recording Audio-only recording $30.00 honorarium to participants $30.00 honorarium to participants

8. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Procedure Outline barriers and strategies : 1) Are there barriers you experience in getting to and from the airport? 1) Are there barriers you experience in getting to and from the airport? 2) Are there strategies you use to overcome these barriers? 2) Are there strategies you use to overcome these barriers? 3) If you had to fly next week, how would you go to the airport? 3) If you had to fly next week, how would you go to the airport? 4) What practical advice would you give to others? 4) What practical advice would you give to others?

9. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Data Analysis Audio to text transcription Audio to text transcription Constant-comparison procedures to develop coding system Constant-comparison procedures to develop coding system Multiple barriers and solutions emerged from this qualitative research Multiple barriers and solutions emerged from this qualitative research One primary coder, one reliability coder One primary coder, one reliability coder

10. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Results Responses were grouped into four broad categories: Responses were grouped into four broad categories: - transportation resources - transportation resources –planning –luggage/personal effects –Other

11. National Center for Accessible Transportation Response Frequencies: Topic Category: Frequency of Total Responses: Planning n=20 (30%) Transportation Resources n=41 (60%) Personal Effects, Luggage, other advice n=7 (10%) Total n=68 (100%)

12. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Results Transportation resources (60% of coded responses). Negative comments included: reservations for accessible transport and not available upon arrival, expense of accessible transport. Negative comments included: reservations for accessible transport and not available upon arrival, expense of accessible transport. Positive comments included: availability of accessible and affordable public transport, and positive experiences with helpful hotel staff, relatives, or friends. Positive comments included: availability of accessible and affordable public transport, and positive experiences with helpful hotel staff, relatives, or friends.

13. National Center for Accessible Transportation Planning Results (30% of coded responses). Negative comments included: problems of plans falling through, not planning far enough in advance, or not having a back- up plan. Negative comments included: problems of plans falling through, not planning far enough in advance, or not having a back- up plan. Positive comments were rare, but one participant shared that planning was easier when he was familiar with resources. Positive comments were rare, but one participant shared that planning was easier when he was familiar with resources.

14. National Center for Accessible Transportation Luggage or other advice (10% of comments) Luggage comments were mixed, 50% of participants recommending traveling to the airport with carry-on only, and others feeling comfortable checking luggage. Luggage comments were mixed, 50% of participants recommending traveling to the airport with carry-on only, and others feeling comfortable checking luggage. Other advice included comments such as keep essentials on your person, fly into larger airports when possible, arrive during the day rather than evening. Other advice included comments such as keep essentials on your person, fly into larger airports when possible, arrive during the day rather than evening.

15. National Center for Accessible Transportation Planning Information Negative: - When I finally landed in Anchorage my taxi wasn’t there even though I had called for one when I was in Seattle. - I had reserved a shuttle, but it didn’t show up. - I guess I hadn’t called far enough in advance. - It turned out there wasn’t anyone at the airport at 1am who could help me. Positive: - I used to live in Cincinnati, so planning what to do when I got there was easy.

16. National Center for Accessible Transportation Personal Effects & Other Info. - I always check luggage at the curb. - I pack light and only do carry- on luggage. - Keep your essentials with you, especially medication. - I just fly into larger airports where there are more resources in general.

17. National Center for Accessible Transportation Transportation Resource Info. Negative: - My cousin said that the bus ran late, but not every bus on the airport line was accessible. - It turned out there were no accessible cabs available. - The shuttle company said their accessible van was on another run so I had to wait for an hour. - I could fit, but there was no way my chair was going to fit in that crowded shuttle with everybody’s luggage. Positive: - The Max train to the airport in Portland takes you right to the terminal and it is 2 bucks. - In Chicago, they have a special phone number you can call to get the wheelchair accessible cabs from every company. - There is a cab driver I have gotten to know at National who I just call directly.

18. National Center for Accessible Transportation Focus Groups: Overall Results More barriers reported at destination than at point of origin (23 vs. 4): More barriers reported at destination than at point of origin (23 vs. 4): –familiarity with resources at origin, ease of planning, and possibly more availability of resources. Preference for public transport due to reliability, reduced planning burden. Preference for public transport due to reliability, reduced planning burden. Overwhelming agreement that advance planning is necessary at most destinations. Overwhelming agreement that advance planning is necessary at most destinations. Mixed advice regarding luggage, etc. Mixed advice regarding luggage, etc.

19. National Center for Accessible Transportation Applying Results Possible content for quick reference tool : Advice about options at the destination Advice about options at the destination Importance of advance planning Importance of advance planning Public transportation reliable option Public transportation reliable option Consider earlier in the day arrival time Consider earlier in the day arrival time Have phone numbers Have phone numbers Keep essential travel items on your person. Keep essential travel items on your person.

20. National Center for Accessible Transportation Quick Reference Tool All possible content was reviewed and rated by passengers with disabilities via an online survey. All possible content was reviewed and rated by passengers with disabilities via an online survey. Highest rated content was chosen. Highest rated content was chosen. Final product is in the form of a small flyer. Final product is in the form of a small flyer. Final product has checklist and spaces for the addition of contact information for local resources. Final product has checklist and spaces for the addition of contact information for local resources. Is available through Easter Seals website. Is available through Easter Seals website.

21. National Center for Accessible Transportation Lessons Learned, Future Directions Analysis of focus group data provides useful consumer-driven information. Analysis of focus group data provides useful consumer-driven information. –rated by consumers, and adapted into a consumers tool

22. National Center for Accessible Transportation Lessons Learned Airport Transportation presents a significant barrier for passengers with disabilities. Airport Transportation presents a significant barrier for passengers with disabilities. The primary barriers: The primary barriers: –availability and knowledge of accessible transportation at destinations, –anticipating amount of planning to ensure a smooth trip.

23. National Center for Accessible Transportation Acknowledgments AUCD Project ACTION -sponsored student research award given to Anna Long AUCD Project ACTION -sponsored student research award given to Anna Long Psychology Intern: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program Oregon Health & Science University Psychology Intern: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program Oregon Health & Science University

24. National Center for Accessible Transportation Center on Self-Determination www.ohsu.edu/oidd/CSD/ Phone: 1-800-452-3563 E-mail: westwood@ohsu.edu Oregon Health and Science University – CDRC P.O. Box 574 Portland, OR 97207-0574

25. National Center for Accessible Transportation The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Accessible Public Transportation is funded under grant H133E030009 from the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The content of this presentation does not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

26. National Center for Accessible Transportation CONTACT US National Center for Accessible Transportation 220 Owen Hall Oregon State University Corvallis, OR, 97331-3212 Tel: 800-916-0099 ncat@oregonstate.edu http://ncat.oregonstate.edu