Expanding Freedom to Ride: Measuring the Efectiveness of Michigan's Transportation Voucher Program

MI-Developmental Disabilities Institute, UCEDD/LEND
Program Type	UCEDD	Fiscal Year	2012
Contact	Barbara LeRoy, PhD
Email	[email protected]
Phone	313-577-0334
Project Description
The rationale for this study is to help fill the gap that currently exists in the literature regarding the effectiveness of transportation voucher programs for people with developmental disabilities. To help people with developmental disabilities overcome transportation barriers, Michigan implemented transportation voucher programs in eight counties throughout the state. Other states have implemented similar transportation voucher programs. While there are published reports on the structure of transportation voucher programs, little research has been published on how such programs improved participants? community connectivity and quality of life. The goal of this study is to answer the following question: How did Michigan?s Transportation Voucher Program improve the quality of life and community connectivity of its participants? The study aims to show that the Michigan Transportation Voucher Program did improve the quality of life and community connectivity of its participants. The results of the study will provide information on program effectiveness to others who may be considering starting a voucher program in their communities. To be eligible for this study, individuals must be adults with developmental disabilities in Michigan who received a transportation voucher through the Michigan Transportation Voucher Program funded by the DD Council from 2005 through 2008.