Teaching the blind and visually impaired to travel safely and independently, transporting individuals to receive early and timely cancer screening and treatment, and equipping vans with safety devices for people with developmental disabilities are a few of this year’s initiatives supported by the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
Social service agencies that provide transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities are set to receive a significant funding boost to their programs, thanks to OKI’s 5310 Grant Program.
OKI’s Executive Board approved $2.1 million for 12 agencies across the region in a resolution unanimously passed at its March 12 meeting.
“For these communities, reliable transportation is more than just a means of getting around. It’s a lifeline to independence and to daily essentials,” said OKI Program Manager Summer Jones.
Several of this year’s funded programs will expand community access and independence for older adults and individuals with disabilities. One will enable medically vulnerable patients to safely participate in community activities, while two new accessible vans will help riders with disabilities travel to senior centers, medical appointments and other essential destinations.
OKI funding will also support travel training for about 300 blind or visually impaired individuals and adults with disabilities, helping them become self‑sufficient travelers. Additional initiatives will fill evening and weekend transportation gaps for elderly and disabled riders — providing roughly 300 evening trips and twice‑monthly weekend service. Another will introduce new twice‑a‑month routes linking several area senior centers to grocery stores and other key services.
“The 5310 program ensures that these populations can access critical services, including doctor appointments, groceries, work, education, and the connections that keep them engaged with family and community,” Jones said. “These services don’t just provide transportation; they empower people with the freedom and dignity they deserve.”
This year’s 5310 recipients: Butler County Regional Transit Authority ($120,328); Cancer Justice Network ($179,150); Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired ($403,572); Clermont Senior Services ($168,218); Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio ($423,982); Easter Seals Redwood ($203,673); Jewish Family Services ($135,894); Northern Kentucky Area Development District ($160,000); Point Arc of Northern Kentucky ($138,380); Scheben/Community Service of NKY ($9,779); Warren County Community Services ($114,308); and Wesley Community Services ($51,891).
5310 supports capital and operational expenses that enhance transportation services for the populations they serve. Eligible recipients include state and local government authorities, private nonprofit organizations, and transportation operators.
With these OKI grants, agencies purchase accessible vehicles (such as wheelchair-accessible vans and buses); mobility management technology (software for scheduling and dispatching rides); driver and client training programs (to ensure safe and efficient transportation); and operating assistance (funding for driver salaries).
Composed of experts in the disability and senior advocacy fields, OKI created the 5310 Oversight Committee to better assess both the challenges and benefits of serving these communities. It plays a vital role in reviewing and approving funding recommendations to ensure they align with OKI’s coordinated plan.
Each year, the committee evaluates and recommends Section 5310 funding allocations, working collaboratively with OKI staff to reach consensus on final funding decisions.
OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development potential of the tristate.
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments