Project Recommendation #7
Project Recommendation #7
The Area Agency on Aging will coordinate with transportation, active mobility, and wayfinding organizations and decision-making bodies to advocate for and implement accessibility solutions.
California's 5 Bold Goals: Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation
AARP's 8 Domains of Livability: Transportation
To achieve an age- and disability-friendly Merced County, accessibility must be prioritized at every stage of public and private projects, from planning to implementation. Projects should encourage innovative approaches and partnerships to meet urgent needs in underinvested neighborhoods and rural communities within the unincorporated county. All public transit infrastructure must meet consistent standards, regardless of location or frequency of use. By identifying and collaborating with relevant, existing agencies, advisory committees, and task forces involved in implementing transportation, active mobility, and wayfinding projects, the Area Agency on Aging will help ensure stakeholder voices are consistently represented and greater levels of accessibility and affordability are achieved, especially in the more rural areas of Merced County.
The Area Agency on Aging’s collaboration efforts would include securing seats at existing advisory committee and task force tables; sharing information about and expanding resources related to accessibility projects; uniting efforts and priorities between plans and across agencies; and exploring potential partnerships and fund development. This level of collaboration would strengthen interagency and intersectoral relationships, ensuring the needs of older adults and people with disabilities are addressed at every level, and approaches are streamlined and cohesive.
The Area Agency on Aging would also develop and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers such as The Bus, Merced's regional transit system, and the Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County, to keep them informed of accessibility barriers and issues identified through service providers within the County’s aging and disability network.
In addition to advocating for new accessibility projects, the Area Agency on Aging would also act as a partnership broker to connect The Bus’ new Travel Training program to interested community groups across the county. The Travel Training Program trains local ambassadors to make presentations and ride the bus with residents to build their confidence in using public transit.
Since July 2017, The Bus utilizes a portion of Measure V funds to provide free fixed route bus service countywide to seniors (62+), veterans, and ADA-eligible individuals. Seniors aged 60 and 61 can also ride free by getting passes through the Area Agency on Aging, the Human Services Agency, and/or the Center of Vision Enhancement (COVE).
Based on feedback from residents living with disabilities, accessible infrastructure projects and implementation considerations should include, but are not limited to, maintained sidewalks with widths adhering to ADA codes and standards allowing access to wheelchairs and other mobility aids; accessible and maintainable landscaping and tree planting design; sufficient timing and tactile surface indicators at crosswalks; curb ramps with detectable warnings at crosswalks; accessible wayfinding, including large font and braille signage at stops, consistent accessible pedestrian signals at intersections, and audible route signs at bus stops and stations; protected, covered transit stops with seating; enforcement of existing (as well as more) accessible parking, especially at senior centers, agencies for people with disabilities, and grocery stores; bathrooms at transit stations; more room for service dogs/animals in transit vehicles; more interconnectivity of transit options across counties; and assistance to riders with disabilities when public transit options are out of service.
Collaborating with incorporated and unincorporated cities, service providers within the County’s aging and disability network, and transportation, active mobility, and wayfinding committees and task forces, Merced County Area Agency on Aging staff will require more than twenty-four (24) months after the adoption of this Action Plan by the County Board of Supervisors to impact the implementation of accessibility solutions.
The Area Agency on Aging will join at least one (1) new transportation, active mobility, and/or wayfinding committee or task force by June 30, 2026.
As part of an annual survey of older adults and people with disabilities, Merced County will assess its success advocating for the implementation of accessible transportation, active mobility, and wayfinding improvements in communities across the county. In comparison to a baseline rating determined at the start of fiscal year 2025-26, 20% more older adults and people with disabilities will assess the accessibility of their community as excellent or good by June 30, 2030.
As part of the next Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA®) report, 60% of Merced County older adults will assess the overall quality of the transportation system in their community as excellent or good.
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