Older adults in Florida who no longer can drive themselves have a new option when it comes to finding ways to get around.
The University of Florida and the have created , a website where people can search for transportation options in all 67 of Florida鈥檚 counties.
On the site, users indicate their starting location, their destination and the purpose of their trip. Users also have the ability to specify if they are 60 years of age or older, if they need assistance to and from the vehicle and if they need wheelchair accommodations.
Search results give transportation providers in the user鈥檚 area, how much the trip might cost, reservation requirements, service hours and contact information. Providers include traditional taxi companies, public transportation, nonprofits and ride-hailing services, like Uber and Lyft.
The site is maintained by and is funded by FDOT鈥檚 Elderly Drivers Statewide Safety Resource Centers. Department Chair oversees the project on UF鈥檚 end.
鈥淔indaRideFlorida.org is a website that houses more than 800 transportation options,鈥� Classen said. 鈥淓ssentially what the database does is having a variety - we like to call it a menu - of transportation options for older adults, throughout the state of Florida, that would meet their individual needs as it pertains to transportation.鈥�
While the site also offers services for people with poor eyesight, it鈥檚 open to any user. Classen stressed that the goal of the project is to help older adults live independent lives and continue to interact with others.
鈥淚n order for older adults to live healthy and productive lives, they need to be engaged in their communities, and they need to continue to participate in society,鈥� Classen said. 鈥淲e will all outlive our driving lifespan; we need to think about alternative transportation options. So, we would think that this is a website that can help older adults have adaptable, accessible, acceptable, available and affordable transportation options, basically with the click of a button.鈥�
In 2004, UF and FDOT first introduced an online transportation database. Find a Ride Florida is the latest version, upgraded with a geographic information system.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really an adaptation of years of work that鈥檚 much more refined, and that鈥檚 much more focused, and that鈥檚 much more targeted toward vulnerable populations in Florida, specifically older adults,鈥� Classen said.
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