New Freedom Assistance Program - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

New Freedom

Application

Eligibility and program provisions

Mobility management

New Freedom program (Section 5317)

The New Freedom program grew out of the New Freedom Initiative introduced by the Administration under Executive Order 13217, “Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities”, on June 18, 2001. The Order states: “The United States is committed to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of the United States” and calls upon the Federal government to assist States and localities to swiftly implement the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C. Executive Order 13217 directed six Federal agencies to evaluate the policies, programs, statutes and regulations of their respective agencies to determine whether any should be revised or modified to improve the availability of community-based services for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Individuals who are transportation-disadvantaged face different challenges in accessing services, depending on whether they live in urban, rural, or suburban areas. Additionally, the geographic dispersion of transportation-disadvantaged populations creates challenges for human service programs hoping to deliver transportation for their passengers.

Over the years, in response to these challenges, Federal, State and local governments, and community-based organizations have created specialized programs to meet particular transportation needs. However, most of these are human service programs that fund limited transportation services to provide eligible participants with access to particular services, such as job training, health care, senior centers, or rehabilitation programs leaving gaps in transportation services and barriers to transportation options.

The President has included funds for the New Freedom program in the annual budget request to Congress since federal fiscal year 2003; however funding was not authorized by Congress until the enactment of the federal transportation bill SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) beginning in federal fiscal year 2006.

New Freedom program goals

The goal of the New Freedom program is to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers Americans with disabilities face in seeking integration into the workforce and full participation in society. Lack of adequate transportation for getting to work is a primary barrier for individuals with disabilities. The New Freedom program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA of 1990.

Funding and apportionments

The New Freedom program is a federal formula program distributed nationally through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The formula is based on the ratio of the number of individuals with disabilities in each area compared to the number of individuals with disabilities in all such areas. The FTA apportionment of the funds is as follows:

60% for large urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000
20% for small urbanized areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000
20% for non-urbanized (rural) areas with populations less than 50,000

Awarded projects and requirements

Selected projects for the 2013 cycle were announced January 4, 2013. Follow the link to the Governor’s announcement and the list of awarded projects.

Additional information

Contact: Judy Foss, judy.foss@dot.wi.gov, (608) 266-8968

Related/Federal links

FTA Circular C 9045.1 (New Freedom Program guidance)

SAFETEA-LU

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Easter Seals Project ACTION