Illinois gets $493K to improve veterans transportation

By Veterans Legal Support Center | Published: November 11, 2011
Posted Nov 10, 2011 @ 07:11 AM

Illinois will get $493,325 from the federal government to improve access to local and affordable transportation for veterans and military families. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the grant as part of a $34.6 million program to help veterans and their families get to work, day care or the supermarket.

Illinois will receive $362,000 to create a transportation resource center website that will have information on transportation choices for veterans. It will include public buses and trains, dial-a-ride and ride-sharing programs and specialized transit. Another $131,000 grant will create a similar system for five existing transportation systems.

The system will be designed for families living in areas where long commutes are expensive and inconvenient. The centralized resource system will also have information on other community services.

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  • Sukhwinder Aujla

    Disabled veterans may qualify for any number of benefits, including wheelchairs, power wheelchairs or scooters and wheelchair vehicles. In some instances, permanently disabled veterans may qualify for a wheelchair vehicle every two years from the Veterans Association. Many dealers have veterans’ programs that help those that served our country acquire the transportation they need to live an independent life.

    When the VA provides a disabled veteran with a wheelchair or scooter, the veteran is then entitled to a mobility lift for his or her existing vehicle or can have it converted to transport the equipment. Different factors determine which or both will be provided. Many dealers will contact the VA for the veteran and handle the discussions necessary to qualify the veteran for this vehicle.

    Before being qualified, veterans must be assessed by his or her physician and provided with a recommendation for such vehicle. In addition, it is important to have your VA identification with you when talking with dealers about buying these vehicles. Most dealers are eager to work with veterans and will help in any way possible to make the process go smoothly.

    Wheelchair Vehicles Available

    Once a disabled veteran is approved for a wheelchair vehicle, there are several options available. The veteran may only require the addition of hand controls to his regular car, or it may require the full gamut of options available in wheelchair vehicles. These vehicles can be customized for the particular needs of the disabled person acquiring it. Wheelchair vehicles have several options available to meet mild or severe disabilities.

    These vehicles can provide room for the driver to remain in his or her wheelchair during the operation of the vehicle, or allow the disabled person to simply ride as a passenger in one of several possible locations. There are also transfer seats available if there is no desire to remain in the wheelchair during movement. These seats are usually located in one of the front seat areas.

    Ramps or mobility lifts can also be added to make entering and exiting the vehicle easier. Or if the disabled veteran simply needs a place to store the wheelchair during operation of the vehicle, those lifts are available as well. They can be installed outside a regular vehicle, or inside many types of vehicles.

    These vehicles can add a whole new dimension to the life of a disabled veteran and that of his or her family as well.

    Sacramento Taxi