Access Services In this issue: Volume 7, Issue 7 2014 LBUSD Transition Fair……… 2 5th Annual Access Roadeo ……… 2 April 18, 2014 Spirit Accessibility Award………… 3 USC Extern Students……………… 3 Access Fun Fact…………………… 4 Rider Comments…………………… 4

Behind the Scenes Executive Report AM General officially starts new It’s budget season again and production of the MV-1 we have been working with our partners at Metro on our funding Unfortunately, last year, Vehicle request for next fiscal year. Many Production Group (VPG) ceased of you are familiar with our budget production of new vehicles and the process, which like most things in company laid off all employees. AM ADA paratransit is guided by the General subsequently reached an ADA, its regulations and various agreement to acquire the assets of legal decisions. VPG. AM General created “Mobility Ventures LLC”, a wholly owned • Our first step is always to subsidiary to again produce and work with our consultant, HDR Charlie Hall AM General distribute the MV-1 through its dealer Engineering, Inc., on ridership network and restarted production. projections for the coming year. About 6 months ago, Access This year, for the first time, we Fleet Operations announced the had HDR project ridership for the arrival of the new CNG MV-1 unit, system as a whole and for individual which was the first purpose-built, service regions. This will help us accessible CNG vehicle. The better plan the service and allocate resources across Los Angeles MV-1 was designed and financed County. by the Vehicle Production Group • After we get the projections, we and manufactured under contract develop a basic budget for Access by AM General in Mishawaka, which guides our funding request Indiana. In order to test the MV-1 to Metro. This year, this budget was in service, Access purchased 28 AM General MV1 attendees reviewed by a subcommittee of Last Tuesday, March 11, marked a our Board and then subsequently approved by our Board. historic day for Mobility Ventures • After our funding is approved by LLC, and the disability community. the Metro Board in May, staff starts Mobility Ventures officially kicked working on our line-by-line budget off its 2014 MV-1 production which is taken to our Advisory with a ceremony at AM General’s Committees for comment and then Commercial Assembly Plant in to our Board for final approval in Mishawaka, Indiana. Attendees June before the start of the fiscal included myself, local, state and year. MV1 Plant Tour federal political leaders, dignitaries from transportation and disability Shelly Verrinder vehicles. These 28 units have now Executive Director advocacy groups, commercial traveled over 900,000 miles, and and consumer customers, dealers, have demonstrated that they are suppliers, and union officials. dependable and actually have a lower maintenance cost than the current gasoline-powered Dodge Continued on page 4 minivan. 2

The 2014 LBUSD Special Education Transition Fair The fair was to provide important what they would do without the information which will support options that Access supplies. The their students, ages 14 and older State of California Department to transition towards greater of Rehabilitation’s Staff Services independence. Joe Gawel, the Manager 1-Team Manager, Vernard 2014 Transition Fair Committee A. Johnson visited the Access kiosk Chair, invited community to share a comment. Mr. Johnson members, the LBUSD’s Adult wanted Access to know that he Community Transition Program, was a driver for the service in the Harbor Regional Center and the 1990’s, when drivers were using Department of Rehabilitation to the Thomas Guide for directions join forces. The goal of the fair is to and that Access was the catalyst On Friday, March 21, 2014 inform the school facility, parents for his career with the Department Access Services Mobility and students of options for youth of Rehabilitation for which he will Management staff participated to become productive citizens and always be very grateful. at the annual Long Beach to support them in their efforts to Unified School District’s Special be as independent as possible. Education Transition Fair held Mobility staff spoke with Access Stephen Wrenn at Cabrillo High School. The riders who stated that they were Senior Mobility Management fair was to provide support their really fortunate to have a service Counselor students, ages 14 and older to like Access and they didn’t know

5th Annual Access Roadeo way, breaking their run at a three champions from winning their peat in 2012. But as the saying 2nd back to back titles? Will San goes “winners never quit and Gabriel Transit, who placed 2nd in quitters never win” California Transit 2013, finish the job and come up not only came back in 2013 and on top? Or will it be Diversified placed 1st as a team, they held the Transportation, who had their first top individual performer in their look at the Annual Roadeo last year, lineup as well. make a Cinderella run and take the The question is who’s going to gold? The competition is gearing come on top this year? up to push the throttle to the limit in hopes of knocking the defending Will it be Santa Clarita who brought champions, California Transit, out of 10 drivers to compete for the first 1st place. Just 79 days before Access’ most time in 2013 and currently holds the anticipated event, the 5th Annual recent Jerry Walker Award recipient Don’t miss the action at the 5th Access Roadeo!!! on their roster? Could it be Global Annual Access Roadeo on Saturday, Paratransit Inc. who displayed June 28, 2014 at the Rose Bowl in It’s been a series of dominant Pasadena! performances by California Transit impressive individual performances since the Annual Roadeo has with two team members placing been a part of Access, winning 3 2nd an 3rd respectively? Will MV Transportation play the upset card Jack Garate out of the 4 Roadeos. Only MV Operations Administrator Transportation has stood in their again and knock the defending 3

Spirit of Accessibility Award Recipient present and honor this year’s Spirit of of Rehabilitation from 2003 to 2008. Accessibility Award recipient Richard In 2010, President Obama appointed Devylder. As a charter member Devylder as the first Senior Advisor of Access’ Community Advisory for Accessible Transportation at the Committee and later a member of U.S. Department of Transportation, Access’ Board of Directors, Richard where he advised on effective policy Devylder has played a prominent strategies to ensure all modes of role in ensuring that persons transportation are accessible and with disabilities are able to live integrated to meet the diverse independently. Born without arms functional needs of the public. and legs, Richard exemplifies what it means to be an accomplished On June 2013, Richard Devylder individual and to live life beyond was appointed by Governor Brown limitations. After graduating from to lead the Office for Access and Cal State University Long Beach, Functional Needs at the California Richard Devylder Richard began his career at Southern Governor’s Office of Emergency As Access Services celebrated California Rehabilitation Services Services. its 20th year anniversary, it was Inc. from 1992 to 1998 and at important to recognize individuals CSULB from 1998 to 2000. He Matthew Avancena who have made a profound served as Executive Director of the Manager, Planning and Coordination impact to improving access to Dayle McIntosh Disability Resource public transportation for persons Center from 2000 to 2003, and with disabilities. At the Annual was appointed Deputy Director of Membership Meeting held on March Independent Living and External 26, 2014, Access was proud to Affairs at the California Department

Access Services Hosts USC Extern Students team who currently works in their L-R: Jarrett field of interest. This allowed each Stoltzfus, Faye Moseley, Fred student to get personal insights Chang, Jesus into the job and career path. The Herrera, Samuel group attended an Access Services Zneimer, Vy Board of Directors Meeting in the Phan-Hoang, afternoon. The day culminated Boyang Zhang, with the externs spending close to an hour with Chairman of the On March Board, Doran Barnes, discussing the 17th, Access program exchange and Ms. Yoko meeting, career opportunities and Services hosted five students from Igawa, Procurement Manager from APTA. Doran serves as Secretary USC who are currently enrolled in Foothill Transit, also participated Treasurer of APTA. Access will be the USC Sol Price School of Public in the day’s events. The day was working closely with USC and other Policy. In conjunction with the USC jammed packed with introductions universities in the future to promote Office of Career Services, four were from the Access Executive transit, specifically paratransit, to the graduate students in the Masters Management Team, a presentation next generation of employees and of Public Policy Program and one about paratransit and Access leaders. in the Bachelors of Policy, Planning and a tour of a contractor site. and Development. In addition, Mr. The highlight of the day came Jarrett Stoltzfus, FTA Transportation when each student met one-on- Iwalani “Evie” Palicz Program Specialist, currently on a one with a member of the Access Manager Training and Development “Thank-you, soverymuch Thank you Access Services!” You are like myfamily Rider Comments accessla.org Email: Fax: Tel: El Monte, PO Services Agency Consolidated Transportation Access Services 4 for prayers, andeven, give for youroutstandingservice drivers. and knowledgeable, patient me somethingtosmileabout! members---because youmake sure that Igettowork, church- Rider since2013 Phyllis Box 213 213 [email protected] . 5728 . 270 270 CA 91734 . . 6000

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