LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program Advisory Committee has outlined the program’s bold mission and vision.
On December 17, 2024, history was made as LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program Advisory Committee unanimously approved transformative mission and vision statements that will guide the future of mobility and inclusion in rural Montana.
At its core, LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program (ARTP) is a bold initiative born out of necessity and compassion — a response to the transportation inequities that have long hindered access to essential services in South Central and Eastern Montana. This program isn’t just about wheels on the road; it’s about driving independence, bridging gaps, and opening doors. The mission and vision statements approved by the ARTP advisory committee reflect this.
Mission Statement:
To bridge the transportation gap in rural Montana, including Native American Reservations, by providing reliable, ADA-compliant transportation, enabling access to education, healthcare, employment, and community engagement by ensuring their right to mobility and inclusion.
Vision Statement:
To be a driving force in promoting independence and eliminating barriers for individuals with disabilities through equitable transportation in South-Central and Eastern Montana.
Transforming Transportation, Transforming Lives
These statements are more than words—they are promises to the communities we serve. They reflect a commitment to reimagining what accessible transportation can and should be.
Rural Montana, with its sweeping plains and remote communities, poses unique transportation challenges. For individuals with disabilities, these challenges can be isolating, creating barriers to vital resources and opportunities. LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program seeks to dismantle these barriers, ensuring that mobility is a right, not a privilege.
The program is being designed to provide reliable, ADA-compliant transportation options that are deeply attuned to the needs of the communities it serves. This includes extending services to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations, where transportation inequities have been particularly pronounced. By prioritizing accessibility, reliability, and inclusivity, the program embodies the Independent Living philosophy that drives LIFTT’s mission.
A Collaborative Journey
Creating these mission and vision statements was a collaborative effort shaped by voices from across our service area’s diverse communities. The Advisory Committee, a dedicated group of stakeholders, brought together expertise, lived experiences, and a shared passion for equity. Their unanimous vote signifies not just consensus but a collective resolve to move forward boldly.
Looking Ahead: A Roadmap to Inclusion
The approval of these statements marks a pivotal moment, but it is only the beginning. Innovation, partnership, and unwavering commitment will pave the road ahead. From establishing transportation routes to integrating advanced technology for scheduling and accessibility, LIFTT is determined to deliver on its promises.
This program isn’t just about transportation; it’s about connection. Connecting people to education, healthcare, employment, and the communities where they live, work, and thrive. It’s about creating a Montana where no one is left behind.
We need your support!
As we look to 2025 and beyond, LIFTT invites you to be part of this transformative journey. Whether you are a consumer, community member, or strategic partner, your support is essential in driving this vision forward. Together, we can redefine accessibility for rural Eastern and South-Central Montana and create a future where mobility and inclusion are realities for all. For updates and ways to get involved, visit www.liftt.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s move forward together, one mile at a time.
To learn more about LIFTT’s ADA Accessible Rural Transportation Program, check out this edition of “Living Well in Montana, where Public Relations Specialst Jed Barton gets the details on the ARTP from Glendive regional manager Jennifer Hawkinson:
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit LIFTT.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.
