Monday, September 19, 2016

1:30 p.m.

Registration

2:00 p.m.

Welcome to the Pre-Conference Workshop sponsored by the Insurance Bureau of Canada and presented by the Medically At-Risk Driver Centre (MARD), University of Alberta

An Interactive Workshop on Implementing/Enhancing Transportation for Seniors in Your Community

Facilitators and Presenters:

Atkins, Jeremy - Government of Alberta, Carrier Services

Buzik, Bernie, BEd - Wainwright and District Handivan Association

Dahms, Russ, BA - Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

Dobbs, Bonnie, PhD - MARD, University of Alberta

Mack, Heather - Insurance Bureau of Canada

Pidborochynski, Tara, MSc - MARD, University of Alberta

Visram, Farah, BA BEd - MARD, University of Alberta

Wortman, Frits, CIP - Insurance Bureau of Canada

Yanitski, Chris, BSc - Government Alberta, Vehicles

Transportation is important to the health and well-being of seniors.  As Alberta’s population ages, the need for transportation services outside of traditional modes of transportation (e.g., private vehicles and/or public transportation) will increase.  This 3.5 hour interactive workshop is designed to provide attendees in rural and urban Alberta with information and resources for the successful development and implementation of sustainable, responsive models of Alternate Transportation for Seniors (ATS) in their communities.  Following an overview of the Transportation Toolkit, attendees will rotate through a series of six interactive Information Hubs on Insurance Requirements and Challenges; Vehicle Safety and Standards and Carrier Services; Funding Sources, Grant Applications, and Community Engagement; Organizational Structure – What should we be? Differences between For-Profit, Non-Profit, and Charitable Status; Senior Sensitivity Training; and Regional Collaboration.  Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions and converse with experts in each of the six Hubs.  Attendees also will have the opportunity to network with others, to share their learnings, and become members of a newly established ATS Community of Practice.

2:45 p.m.

Refreshments

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Information Hubs

Insurance Requirements and Challenges

Mack, Heather - Insurance Bureau of Canada

Wortman, Frits, CIP - Insurance Bureau of Canada

In Alberta, as in many jurisdictions throughout Canada, a significant number of seniors rely on community-based organizations for transportation to medical appointments and other essential services.  Having the right insurance coverage for your organization is an important part of your organization’s overall risk management.  In this Hub, representatives from the Insurance Bureau of Canada will provide information on automotive and liability insurance for volunteer organizations including non-owned automobile insurance, Commercial General Liability, umbrella liability, as well as the importance of having a Policy/Best Practice Manual for your organization.

Vehicle Safety and Standards and Carrier Services

Yanitski, Chris, BSc - Government of Alberta, Vehicles

Atkins, Jeremy - Government of Albert, Carrier Services

Vehicles are an important part of any ATS service.  Prior to providing passenger transportation services, it is important to fully understand all regulatory requirements.  In this Hub, a representative from Alberta Transportation’s Safety and Compliance Services Branch will provide information on standards related to providing ATS service in a private vehicle (e.g., volunteer drivers), buses, and/or a handibus.  Detailed information on the D409-02 standards and information in other areas such as vehicle regulation, operator licensing and registration, and license plate requirements will be provided.

A Public Safety Investigator from the Government of Alberta’s Carrier Services will provide information on passenger transportation services with respect to the National Safety Code (NSC) program, Safety Fitness Certificates issuance and requirements, Operating Authority Certificates issuance and requirements, and insurance requirements.

Funding Sources, Grant Applications, and Community Engagement

Buzik, Bernie, BEd - Wainwright and District Handivan Association

Fundraising is central to the ongoing financial sustainability of any ATS service.  Sources of funding for ATS services often are limited.  In this Hub, a representative from the Wainwright and District Handivan Society will provide information on funding agencies, grant applications as well as discuss innovative methods of fundraising at the community-level.  He also will discuss the importance of community engagement; how they garnered continued funding to support the ongoing operation of their service; and the strategies they used to build connections with their community at-large.

Organizational Structure - What should we be?  Differences between For-Profit, Non-Profit, and Charitable Status

Dahms, Russ, BA - Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

An organizational structure is needed for most, if not all, broad community-based initiatives.  Many community-based organizations interested in offering ATS services explore setting up as a non-profit organization.  In this Hub, a representative from the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations will provide information on the benefits of partnering with an existing non-profit organization in your community.  Information will be presented on how to incorporate as a non-profit, along with information on registered charities, foundations, and non-profit corporations. 

Senior Sensitivity Training

Pidborochynski, Tara, MSc - MARD, University of Alberta

Visram, Farah, BA BEd - MARD, University of Alberta

As we age, there are many changes in our sensory (vision, hearing, touch), motor (movement, flexibility), and cognitive (memory, reasoning, language) abilities. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ‘be old’?  In this Hub, representatives from MARD will provide Senior Sensitivity Training.  This Senior Sensitivity Training simulates what it feels like to physically and mentally age.  Experiencing some of the challenges associated with aging will provide you with a better understanding of ways in which these age-associated changes can be accommodated at the service provider level.

Regional Collaboration

Dobbs, Bonnie, PhD - MARD, University of Alberta

A number of our seniors live in rural and remote areas of the province.  For many of these seniors, the availability of ATS services for travel to local and more distant, urban communities would allow them to continue to age-in-place.  However, transportation services often are limited or non-existence.  In this Hub, representatives from MARD will discuss opportunities for and benefits of collaborating and coordinating with existing ATS services in neighbouring towns and rural communities in the delivery of regional transportation services.

5:00 p.m.

Wrap up and Closing Remarks