ESPA Distance Learning Opportunities

Easter Seals Project ACTION extends its range and scope of FREE learning opportunities through a series of “distance learning” events. These events are accessed from home or office, and they feature guest speakers who are experts in the topic to be discussed.

How does it work?

For audio conferences, participation is as simple as dialing a toll-free telephone number and letting the operator know that you wish to join the call. ESPA asks that participants register (online or by telephone) and send any questions they may have for the speakers in advance.

We are also pleased to introduce a new form of distance learning, the Webinar. The first Webinars were conducted in August, and more will be announced soon. Access to the program is via telephone and computer with an Internet connection.

Schedule of upcoming events in ESPA's Distance Learning series

Event Date	Course Description
Nov. 5, 2008 2-3 p.m. Eastern	Audio conference: "Traveling with Service Animals," first event of a nine-part distance learning series titled "People on the Move: Using All Transportation Options (ADA and Beyond)." Donna Smith, ESPA training manager, will share basic information about service animals and the use of public transportation.
Began Oct. 1, 2008	Online Training: "Excellence in Service for Paratransit Managers" is a free eight-week online training course designed for paratransit managers who are new to the field. Participants are learning about the history of the disability movement and how to engage the disability community in a service area, while gaining a greater understanding of and sensitivity toward people who have disabilities.

Watch this page and subscribe to the Extra (Project ACTION's electronic newsletter) for announcements on upcoming Distance Learning events.

Looking for information on past distance learning events? 

Transcripts may be obtained for past ESPA audio conferences approximately 45 days after each event.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view PDF files. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• August 2008: "On-Time Performance in ADA Paratransit," with Marilyn Golden, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Berkeley, Calif., and Russell Thatcher, TranSystems, Boston, Mass.
• March 2008: "Fixed-Route Driver Responsibilities Under the ADA" with David Knight, ADA Team Leader, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights.
• February 2008: "Selected Topics in Paratransit Eligibility: Conditional Eligibility" with Karen Hoesch, Executive Director of ACCESS Transportation Systems, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• January 2008: "Securing Funding for a New Travel Training Program" with Sarah Green of The Rapid in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Frances Rankos of Pierce Transit in Lakewood, Wash.
• January 2008: "Paratransit Eligibility 101" with Kristi Ross of Easter Seals Project ACTION
• November 2007: “Accessible Formats 101: Resources for Transit Providers and the Disability Community" with Eli McCormick of Bloomington Transit, Bloomington, Ind., and Ike Presley of the American Foundation for the Blind, Atlanta, Ga.
• August 2007: "MPOs Engaging the Disability Community in the Coordination Process: Success Stories in Planning and Accessibility" with Wendy Klancher of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, David C. Sharp of the Montgomery County Commission for People with Disabilities and Vicky McLane of North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.
• July 2007: "Strategies for Increasing Community Awareness and Support for Public Transportation”
  Presented by Liz Moore of ESPA and RoseAnn LaBella-Voils of Palm Tran, Palm Beach County, Fla.
• July 2007: “You Can’t Get There from Here: Increasing Access in Pedestrian Circulation to and from Public Transportation” with Dennis Cannon of the U.S. Access Board, Washington, D.C.
• December 2006: "Pathway to Mobility: Assessing the Path of Travel for Transit Customers" with Donna Moss, King County Metro Accessible Services, Seattle, Wash., Richard G. Long, Ph.D., Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Jerry Markesino, P.E., Otak, Inc., Lake Oswego, Ore.
• July 2006: "Wheels on Wheels: Wheelchair-Accessible Taxicabs” with Cleadis Newman, Houston, Texas, and Michael Muehe, Cambridge, Mass.
• June 2006: “Service Animals and Transit: How to Develop a Working Relationship” with Dave O’Connell of Mason County Transit, Shelton, Wash., and Donna Smith of ESPA, Washington, D.C.
• March 2006: “Small Urban and Rural Community Transportation: Innovative Funding Solutions” with Terry Parker of Lane Transit District, Eugene, Ore., and Ronald Baumgart of River Cities Public Transit, Pierre, S.D.
• November 2005: “What’s on Your Mind? A General Session on the ADA” with Cheryl Hershey and David Knight from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights