Searching for Transportation For People With Disabilities

Transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities living in the Champlain District.

Provided by a collaborative of 26 Community Support Service (CSS) organizations, divided into four catchment areas

Help with transportation to, from:

• medical appointments
• discharge from hospital
• day programs
• occupational therapy (OT) assessment
• daily living activities such as work, grocery shopping, banking, Diner's club, pharmacy, etc.

Centers need between one to seven days notice for transportation

Delivers services, support and advocacy for and with people with spinal cord injury

Regional services:

• staff members provide practical help, advocacy and assistance from injury right through rehabilitation and into the community

Connect Peer Program:

• matches people who are newly injured, and their family members, to people who have lived experience with a spinal cord injury

Cortree Disability Education Centre:

• online learning platform for people with SCI and other physical disabilities and their families
• information on relevant topics around living with a disability
• available for professionals

COVID-19 (7 Aug 2020): prearranged free transportation to non-urgent medical and essential appointments available.


Non-emergency transportation to local medical appointments and regular activities such as grocery shopping and banking * volunteer drivers

Provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families

Supports and benefits available:

• accommodation
• basic living expenses
• prescription drugs
• basic dental care

Other supports and benefits may be available such as:

• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• special diet allowance
• diabetic supplies
• ostomy supplies
• Extended Health Benefits
• surgical supplies
• emergency home repairs
• transportation needed to attend medical appointments
• guide dog allowance
• Upfront Child Care Benefit
• wheelchair/mobility device repairs and batteries

Door-to-door accessible transportation service

• drivers will offer assistance to riders to enter and exit the vehicle
• service animals welcome in the vehicle
• all vehicles should be able to accommodate an assistive device, such as a folding wheelchair or scooter

Carefor Ottawa does not have a transportation program - a Transportation Specialist works with other Ottawa CSS agencies to coordinate drives.

Transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities living in the Champlain District.

Provided by a collaborative of 26 Community Support Service (CSS) organizations, divided into four catchment areas

Help with transportation to, from:

• medical appointments
• discharge from hospital
• day programs
• occupational therapy (OT) assessment
• daily living activities such as work, grocery shopping, banking, Diner's club, pharmacy, etc.

Centers need between one to seven days notice for transportation

Transportation to medical appointments and regular activities such as:

• grocery shopping
• personal shopping
• social activities
• day program
• congregate dining

Non-emergency transportation to local medical appointments

• volunteer drivers
• rides are scheduled in advance and must be booked with at least 10 days notice

In-home health care services

• care management
• personal care
• companionship
• quality of living care
• Alzheimer's and dementia care
• transportation
• convalescent care
• foot care
• respite care
• home medical equipment and supplies
• educational services and seminars

COVID-19 (8 Nov 2021): the office located at 925 Belfast Rd is closed to the public until further notice

Shared-ride, book-in-advance, door-to-door public transit service

• available for casual as well as regular (ongoing for at least one month) bookings
• customers are helped in and out of vehicles and service is provided from one accessible building entrance door to another - this means that drivers will help a person using a wheelchair up or down one step only

Support Persons: customers must provide a letter from their doctor to Para Transpo Administration, the letter must indicate whether they require a support person occasionally, or all the time

• the Province of Ontario put out an updated list of health care professionals who can authorize a Support Person in a document
• Para Transpo uses this list which is also accessible on the website
• if required for all trips, the customer's registration file will be updated to indicate that a support person is required for all Para Transpo trips
• for safety reasons, persons who require a support person will only receive service when they are accompanied by a support person
• customers must be six years or older
• the support person traveling with the customer will travel free

Companions: customers travelling with a companion should indicate that they are doing so, and tell the booking agent when they are making the trip reservation

• only one companion is allowed, and that person will be charged the regular fare

Community Pass: available to Ottawa residents who receive benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

EquiPass: reduced monthly pass or per-ride fare for persons who are below the low-income threshold

• the EquiPass monthly pass is about half the cost of an Adult pass ($58.25 per month in 2018)
• the EquiPass single-ride fare is half the cost of a regular fare ($1.75 per ride in 2018)
• only available on Presto or ParaPay
• the Presto card is free for people who qualify for this program

ParaPay: new card-free system that lets customers pre-pay their Para Transpo fares

• activate the account, load money or a monthly pass, then book trips and ride with Para Transpo
• ParaPay cannot be used to pay for trips on OC Transpo buses or the O-Train
• for more information call 613-741-4390

Taxi Coupon Program: allows Para Transpo customers to take discounted taxi service as an alternative to Para Transpo

• you can book your trip - at your convenience, with participating Ottawa taxi companies and save 40% off the regular fare
• if you have any questions or comments about the Taxi Coupon Program, please give us a call at 613-842-3670 / TTY 613-741-5280

My Para Transpo: a new online application that allows customers to

• book a next-day trip
• cancel a booked trip
• track the location of a vehicle for an imminent trip
• manage their customer profile information

Programs and services for seniors

Kosher Meals on Wheels:

• delivers Kosher meals weekly to seniors and adults with disabilities and convalescents
• frozen and fresh meals

Leisure Activities and Meal Programs:

• meals in a social setting
• referrals to other leisure programs for active seniors
• weekly social program for Russian Seniors

Transportation:

• transportation for medical appointments and shopping for seniors and adults with disabilities

Friendly Visiting:

• offers regular visits by volunteers to isolated seniors living at home

Teleshalom:

• Tele-assurance links a volunteer caller with a senior and adults with disabilities living alone by means of a daily telephone call
• if there is no answer, an emergency system ensures the client is not at risk

Community Chaplain:

• a Chaplain visit to Jewish seniors and palliative clients living in long-term care facilities

Home Visits and system navigation:

• social workers go to the senior's home to provide an assessment of needs and referrals to appropriate services

Caregiver Support:

• therapeutic counselling to a caregiver or a family member who has an emotional, behavioural, mental health, or severe stress problem that is impeding their ability to provide care and support for the client
• time-limited and goal-directed

Long-Distance Caregiver Support:

• guidance for adult children who live in other cities and have concerns for their Ottawa parents' well being or for those who have parents living outside of Ottawa

Claims Conference:

• compensation, home care and social work services available to Jewish victims of the Holocaust
• application required

Chauffeur services

• drives clients home in the client's vehicle
• not a taxi service
• driving services after any medical appointment or types of surgery or procedures that require anesthetics, or after special events like weddings or celebrations
• creative driving services, including errands

Taxi company

• drivers trained in transportation for people with disabilities
• specialty vehicles available, including accessible vans

COVID-19 (October 24, 2022): The Centre continues to provide grocery and prescription delivery, medical transportation and other supports to vulnerable seniors and adults with physical disabilities living in Ottawa's West End. Call 613-829-9777 or email info@oldeforge.ca for assistance. This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page and website. The Olde Forge will follow Ottawa Public Health Guidelines with regards to resumption of in person services. Information and referral service to access support in the community.

Services:

• information and referral
• friendly visiting
• telephone assurance
• luncheon program
• seniors day program
• respite care
• grocery delivery
• recreation program
• grocery shopping bus service (resumption date to be determined)
• transportation to medical appointments and non-urgent transportation.
• caregiver support

Home and Yard maintenance:

• snow removal
• light and heavy house-cleaning
• minor repairs and odd jobs

Fitness and Social Programs:

• The Olde Forge Programs provide barrier-free, low cost recreational and physical fitness activities, social and educational programming to local seniors 60+ and adults with disabilities who want to maintain their independence in the community by keeping socially connected and/or keeping physically active

Foot care clinics:

• examination of feet and legs
• prevention care and health teaching
• treatment of ingrown toenails and thick nails
• trimming and filing of nails
• calluses and corn care
• nail care
• referral services

Snow Go and Snow Go Assist program:

• matching service for those looking to hire a contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways
• eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities may also apply to receive financial assistance to pay for a portion of their snow removal costs through this program

COVID-19 (25 March 2022): Olde Forge continues to offer transportation with improved social distancing and plexiglass protections

Non-emergency transportation to local and long-distance medical appointments and regular activities such as grocery shopping and banking

• volunteer drivers
• escorted transportation to non-urgent medical appointments, Olde Forge day programs, weekly luncheons
• grocery bus
• community shopping van (not currently running)
• run around rides program

Companionship and physical assistance to attend medical appointments, social outings and assistance with weekly errands

• drivers are retired professionals who have experience working with the elderly, including people with dementia
• wheelchair accessible vehicles available upon request

All staff have:

• cleared a records check with the Ottawa Police for working with vulnerable individuals
• clean driver abstracts issued by the Ministry of Transportation.

COVID-19 (31 Mar 2020): EORC continues to offer transportation services through COVID19.

Transportation to essential services

• priority given to transportation to medical appointments

COVID-19 (2 April 2020): Medically necessary transportation still offered.

Non-emergency transportation to medical and non-medical appointments in suburban and rural areas.

Community support program

• Meals on Wheels (fresh and frozen entrees)
• diners programs
• weekly grocery delivery
• respite
• caregiver support and training
• social/recreational activities (fitness/crafts/information sessions)
• adult day programs
• information and referral

Accompaniment and companionship while providing safe and reliable transportation

• seniors, children and individuals with disabilities

Transportation services for/to:

• medical and dental appointments
• medical procedures (cataracts, colonoscopy, sedation, etc)
• weekly appointments (exercise classes, physiotherapy, card games, etc)
• adult day programs (dementia or stroke)
• shopping and running errands
• airport service
• scenic drives
• companionship

Enabling seniors and adults with disabilities to remain independent and safe in their own homes

• other site in Manotick

Program includes:

• Meals on Wheels (fresh and frozen entrees)
• diners programs
• transportation to medical appointments
• weekly grocery delivery
• friendly visiting
• weekday daily telephone calls (telephone assurance program)
• foot care clinics
• respite
• caregiver support groups
• social recreational activities (fitness/crafts/information sessions)
• adult day program
• information and referral

Community services for rural residents

Support services include:

• low-cost transportation coordination
• Meals on Wheels delivery
• local volunteer opportunities
• home maintenance
• information and referral services

Applications for the Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP) and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• (OESP) for discounts off monthly hydro bill
• (LEAP) a one-time emergency financial assistance
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed

COVID-19 (March 25, 2020): Only medical transportation is available until further notice

Non-emergency transportation to medical appointments, shopping

• volunteer drivers

COVID-19 (March 25, 2020): Only medical transportation is available until further notice

Non-emergency transportation to medical appointments, shopping

• volunteer drivers

Community services for rural residents

Support services include:

• low-cost transportation coordination
• Meals on Wheels delivery
• local volunteer opportunities
• home maintenance
• information and referral services

Applications for the Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP) and Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• (OESP) for discounts off monthly hydro bill
• (LEAP) a one-time emergency financial assistance
• agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed