Luther Home of Mercy is a Williston, Ohio-based ministry that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At nearly 100 years old, this organization enriches its Northwest Ohio community with on-site housing and day habilitation programs. This article is based on an interview with Megan O'Brien, Vice President of Luther Home of Mercy and an advocate for accessible transportation.
For individuals with disabilities, a lack of accessible transportation is a major barrier in life. Even when accessible transportation is an option, it is often expensive and restrictive, especially in rural areas. This inaccessibility leads to long waiting times, requiring riders to wait within a time frame that can take up most of their day.
For Luther Home of Mercy, TESCO is the main provider of these accessible vehicles. By offering opportunities to travel, individuals can experience life like anyone else.
The goal is for all community members, including those who use wheelchairs, to have the same access to the community that everyone else has.
Throughout the interview, O'Brien emphasizes how people who cannot drive have a lack of demand response. They can't drive to the grocery store if they run out of milk or run to McDonald's if they're craving a burger. They must plan to leave their home well in advance of their scheduled outing.
Transportation affects your lifestyle, whether you think it does or not. Luther Home of Mercy's goal is to give everyone the experience of going out. Whether it's for fun, work, or appointments, it's important to keep the Luther Home of Mercy community active.
Author's Note: While visiting Luther Home of Mercy's Day habilitation program, we spoke with many residents about what accessible transportation means to them. During this time, each mentioned how an accessible bus or van takes them on fun day trips like seeing movies, attending sporting events, or visiting with family and friends.
Wheelchair lifts and ramps are, of course, the top accessibility features. Each creates a unique entryway into the vehicle that is necessary for someone in a wheelchair to ride.
Entering a vehicle comfortably is essential, the more wheelchair space the better, especially space for bigger wheelchairs. Even if a vehicle claims to have the capacity, it doesn't always mean it'll fit all types of wheelchairs and sizes. Having room within the van or bus is crucial for the well-being of passengers and the driver.
Additionally, having heat throughout the vehicle improves the overall ride experience for passengers and drivers. Everyone deserves a pleasant ride, and sometimes it's the small details that make that possible.
At Luther Home of Mercy, staff can become drivers if they pass a test from the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) and a physical. These individuals should know the ins and outs of each vehicle and be trained in operating each. They should be knowledgeable about accessibility features like wheelchair tie-downs and know how these features differ from vehicle to vehicle.
To ensure comfort and reliability, a manager will ride along with a driver in training to be confident that they can handle driving a bus or van over 55 mph. Drivers should also be able to manage the unique needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while maintaining focus on the road.
Luther Home of Mercy continuously looks for funding opportunities through grants and donations. With a mission to keep accessible travel available for residents, there can never be enough transportation. Luther Home of Mercy partners with the Ottawa County Public Transit Agency to provide even more travel opportunities for residents.
Over time, Luther Home of Mercy will continue working with TESCO to have quality vehicles on hand. Within the next decade, the organization hopes to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the people in its care.
TESCO Bus & Van Sales offers a wide range of new and used buses and vans, including wheelchair accessible vehicles, available for nationwide delivery. Call us at 800.227.3572 to speak with a sales representative or fill out an information request form to have an associate contact you. We look forward to working with you to find the perfect vehicle for your organization.