Aging Services – Freedom Through Partnership

Since 1976, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services has been helping older adults and 
adults with disabilities, attend medical appointments, go shopping, and remain connected to 
their communities. Through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 grant, DHS Aging 
Services assists more than 150 non-profit organizations and government entities purchase 
accessible vehicles to use for transportation programs.

[No Audio: Laura Corff, Transit Director, United Community Action Program, Inc.]

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services administers the Section 5310 grant program and 
we make application for capital assistance for vehicles. We’re able to replace our vehicles um to 
provide service to our seniors and individuals with disabilities and others in the community that 
need transportation.

Each year, nearly 600,000 people ride vehicles purchased through DHS and the 5310 program. 
People like Barbara Young.

[No Audio: Barbara Young, Transit Rider, Ponca City]

I don't drive anymore and this is perfect for me ‘cause I can go where I need to go and then I'm 
not having to worry about calling a taxi and maybe not getting there 

[No Audio: Ron Covill, Transit Rider, Ponca City]

Winnie’s president and I'm the program chairman for the Lions Vision support group here in 
Ponca and we can get around we can go places 

Because I lost my sight completely I'm now totally blind and Winnie is legally blind so we 
neither of us can drive and it gets us where we want to go when we want to go and riding the 
transit we can be independent. we don't have to depend on family or friends or something to 
come and get us we just depend on the transit to give us our lives back and they do (they do) 

I can not only go grocery shopping and to the doctor but I got to the movies and that is great 
that I can just go to the movies at any time I want to see something 
 
[No Audio: Winnie Covill, Transit Rider, Ponca City]

It's just Independence and when you can't see to drive that's one of the hardest things in the 
world and to be able to go places is life-saving

Our partnership with the Department of Human Services allows us to have a transportation 
program that we can offer to our riders. Because we’re able to get new vehicles, and replace 
the old ones, we can maintain a dependable service. Um, our customers rely on us, they rely on 
our drivers to show up every day, and they rely on our vehicles to be able to stay on the road

Safe dependable transportation means freedom to many of our riders and their families.

[No Audio: Safety, Health, Independence, Productivity.]

[No Audio:  Oklahoma Department of Human Services logo.  Produced by Office of 
Communications and Community Relations, Oklahoma Department of Human Services 2017]