The purpose of the New Freedom program is to provide new public transportation services and public transportation alternatives beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that assist individuals with disabilities with transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services.  The New Freedom formula grant program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing persons with disabilities who seek integration into the work force and full participation in society, noting that lack of transportation is a primary barrier to work for individuals with disabilities. 

Thus, the RTA New Freedom Program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to persons with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA.  Examples of public transportation services that go beyond the ADA requirements include expansion, spatially or temporally, beyond what is minimally required; the provision of same-day service; door-through-door service; vehicles and equipment that accommodate larger mobility aids; feeder services; accessibility improvements at non-key stations; and travel training.  New initiatives may include the purchase of accessible vehicles for accessible taxi, ridesharing and/or vanpooling programs; administration of new voucher programs; the support of new volunteer driver/aide programs and; development of new mobility management and coordination programs among public transportation providers and other human service agencies providing transportation. 

New Freedom Eligible Projects