SPONSOR:   

Rep. Longhurst;  on behalf of all Representatives

 

               

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

145th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 28

 

 

CREATING A DART PARATRANSIT CELL PHONE PILOT PROGRAM.

 

WHEREAS, in FY 2008 DART paratransit services provided more then 850,000 rides to Delaware residents with physical or cognitive disabilities or other physical limitations; and

WHEREAS, many of the individuals who rely on DART paratransit services lack the financial means to own a cell phone, thereby making it difficult for these riders to communicate with DART regarding missed, delayed, or mis-scheduled transportation services; and

WHEREAS, individuals with disabilities and older Delawareans risk adverse health outcomes when doctor’s appointments are missed, and their well-being may be jeopardized if they cannot contact DART in the event of missed, delayed, or mis-scheduled services; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes individuals with disabilities and older Delawareans should be afforded every opportunity to live as independently as possible; and

WHEREAS, the high volume of DART paratransit services makes accurate and timely customer pick ups imperative to efficient DART operation. 

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 145th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that a DART Paratransit Cell Phone Pilot Program (“Program”) be created to provide cell phones with limited service to twenty-five (25) at-risk individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities or other physical limitations.  The Program will begin on August 3, 2009, and last for three (3) months, after which an evaluation will be made as to the effectiveness of the Program. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives expresses its sincere thanks to Verizon Wireless of Delaware for its generous donation of the phones and service necessary to establish this important Program at no direct cost to the citizens of the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Council for Persons with Disabilities will assist with coordination of the Program, and manage the Program evaluation with the support of DART, Verizon Wireless, and AARP.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an evaluation of the Program will be provided to the House of Representatives on or before January 21, 2010.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon passage, a suitably prepared and duly authenticated copy of this resolution be forwarded Verizon Wireless of Delaware in recognition of their generous donation to the Program.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution creates a pilot program to provide cell phones with limited service to twenty-five (25) individuals who rely on DART paratransit services and who are at risk of adverse health and emotional outcomes in the event of delayed or missed service appointments.  Cell phone service will be limited to dialing DART Reservations and 911 in the event of an emergency.