Parent Summit

MCIL focus on Transportation

By Allison Donald

The Parent Summit and Transition Fair that was held on October 22, 2016 at the Colonial Middle School. The Fair is a one stop shop for information and resources for parents of children and young adults with disabilities that caters to parents who are looking for post-secondary education options.   

There are many choices for parents in areas ranging from education and employment to educating themselves and their children on the different modes of transportation.  Parents have the opportunity to speak with as many vendors as they like about their respective programs and how the programs can assist their child or young adult.  

“I am very pleased that our visitors, community members and vendors are willing to connect parents and guardians with resources and services today,” said Celia Moore, the Director of Shelby County Schools Exceptional Children and Health Services. “I’m grateful to each of you and thank you for your support and for your participation.”

During the breakout sessions which last no more than thirty minutes the vendors present on a particular subject that pertains to the transition of young people and their parents from a school setting to community living.

The Memphis Center for Independent Living breakout session for this year’s summit was centered on transportation options for people with disabilities in Memphis.  Our presentation was primarily focused on letting the parents know that transportation is a vital part of independence for people with disabilities.  

Also, Christina Clift and I wanted to introduce these parents to other modes of transportation aside from them transporting their child everywhere they needed to go.   The most important piece of information I think we wanted to leave them with is independence is a process that can start by teaching your child how to travel independently.

Success Happens Here!

Finding affordable, accessible, integrated housing is difficult in Memphis

By Tim Redd
It’s no secret that our community, people with disabilities face many challenges. In September I met a woman with a disability who was looking for housing. I provided her with several resources to get started in her housing search. I followed up with her on a weekly basis, offering more information as it was needed.

On October 12^th I received the news from the woman that she had found housing would be moving on the 24^th of this month. She thanked me for all my help. I am happy to help people and I celebrate her success. MCIL is a place of action and we encourage self-advocacy. I am happy to help empower my community, success happens here!

Build Your Own Transportation Toolbox

MCIL Workshop on Transportation Options

By Christina Clift

On Thursday, September 15, 2016 members of the community were given the opportunity to build their own Transportation Toolbox by attending a workshop on Transportation Options at the Memphis Center for Independent Living.  During the two hour workshop attendees were reacquainted to familiar transportation options and introduced to new ones.  MCIL knows that access to affordable, reliable, and accessible transportation is a barrier for the disability community and by holding this workshop we hope to provide information to assist you in getting where you want to go.

Over the past two years the transportation landscape in Memphis has gradually started to change.  It now consists of traditional options such as Memphis Area Rideshare, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), MIFA, and taxi cabs, but now includes new providers such as Uber and Lyft, Point A 2 Point B Transportation Inc., Midsouth Express Shuttle, Prosperity Transportation, and Strong One Transportation.  These new providers are providing low-cost transportation options to people with disabilities and going into areas that our current public transportation does not.  While not all of these new providers have wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleet, they all indicated that it is a priority for their company to purchase one as soon as possible. 

Veronica MacKinney says, “Having  wheelchair accessible vehicles will truly broaden the transportation options for all people with disabilities and will begin to challenge MATA in providing better service.”  While the Memphis Area Transit Authority was invited and agreed to attend during this workshop, they did not show up.  So our attendees were not able to examine the new vehicles or find out about the changes MATA’s done over the past year to improve service.

Below you will find brief information about each of the providers that attended:

Memphis Area Rideshare: Sonya Owens
Phone: (901) 222-9000
E-mail: sonya.owens@shelbycountytn.gov
Offers emergency rides home for persons whose primary transportation to and from work is by bus or carpool.  You can apply online by visiting http://www.midsouthcleanair.org.  Wheelchair accessible vehicles are currently available for wheelchair users who use this program. 

Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA): LaBarbara Houston
Phone: (901) 722-7138
E-mail: lhouston@matatransit.com
Operates fixed route buses, paratransit (MATAplus), and trolley services seven days a week.  Fares range between .80-$5.10 one-way depending on the mode of transportation you use.  

Memphis Express Shuttle and Touring Service
Phone: (901) 356-1719
Fares begin at $7.00 one-way.  They have a wheelchair accessible vehicle.  Reservations should be made at least one day in advance.

MIFA: Monique BaldridgePhone: (901) 527-0208
E-mail: mbaldridge@mifa.org

Point A 2 Point B Transportation Inc.: Phylantyniese Stone
Phone: (901) 216-5437
E-mail: pointa2pointb14@gmail.com
Operates Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM.  Reservations must be made three days in advance.  Rates are $5.00 one-way

Prosperity Trans1. Inc.:
Phone: (901) 833-3656
E-mail: Ptrans1@outlook.com
Fares range between $7.00-$20.00 one-way depending on where you are picked up or dropped off.

Strong One Transportation: Cassandra Strong
Phone: (901) 833-7152
E-mail: strongonetransport@yahoo.com
Operates between 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM seven days a week.  Reservations must be made at least one-day in advance of your trip.  Rates range between $5.00-$9.00 per leg depending on the length of your trip.
Uber and Lyft are rideshare services that connect individuals to transportation through the use of smartphone apps.  Individuals must download and install the app on their smartphone device and register.  Both services provide same-day transportation but currently do not have any wheelchair accessible vehicles in the Memphis area.  Fares are based upon the miles and time your ride takes.

MCIL will continue to monitor the progress of these new transportation providers as well as traditional providers to ensure access for all.  Please contact us if you have any problems or for more information.

Tennessee Set to Redetermine TennCare Eligibility

What You Need to Know About TennCare Redetermination Process  

By Tim Redd and Allison Donald
The TennCare Redetermination Process is tedious to say the least. The packet comes in two formats. The standard packet is 98 pages long and if you assert a disability you will fill out a total of 119 pages.

Several challenges have been revealed in the wake of this process like the extensive questioning.  Also the packets are not being mailed to the right address and each packet includes an individualized bar-code, so every page is related to an individual recipient. Explaining and communicating with diverse populations and some people are prevented from reapplying. Failure to complete the process in a timely fashion will leave many TennCare recipients with no health insurance.

The most important thing you need to do is call the Tennessee Health Connection 1-855-259-0701 to verify your address and inquire if you are scheduled to receive a redetermination packet. You have 90 days to submit your completed form. If you receive any mail that requires you to send in more information you have 10 days to respond.

The catch is, you really only have only 50 days to return the redetermination packet, which is based on the day the packet is mailed out. Please keep a copy of the information you receive.  You may produce a paper trail so nothing is lost by sending a fax to the Tennessee Health Connection is 1-855-315-0669.

“The most vital part of this entire equation,” said Michael Heinrich a volunteer with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, “is to make sure your correct address is on file with the state of Tennessee, and ask if you are supposed to receive a redetermination packet.”

You should be able to get help with your packet from the Department of Health and Human Services and Tennessee Health Connection. Enrollees do not have a case worker that will fill out the redetermination packet, you must call the Department of Health and Human Services (901) 320-7200 to get assistance.