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Entries tagged: Aarp

Last week, AARP celebrated the public launch of its Network of Age-Friendly Communities. This program is the national affiliate of the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and begins this year in Georgia, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

An Age-Friendly Community is defined as an “inclusive and accessible environment that encourages active and healthy aging.” An important aspect of these livable communities is to create transportation networks and safe, affordable mobility options that allow its citizens to age in place.

Read about the WHO’s Guide to Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and learn more about its new AARP affiliate program. In the coming months, the Alliance will share success stories and model campaigns of its member organizations working on equitable transportation for seniors. 

Last week, we hosted a trio of top-notch advocates and agency staff on our Safe Routes for Seniors Mutual Aid Call.

For years, many Alliance organizations have worked on Safe Routes to School programs that encourage more kids to walk and bike to school. In 2003, advocates with Transportation Alternatives in New York City applied that concept to the aging population, launching their Safe Routes for Seniors initiative. The effort was the first program of its kind to address the unique needs of elderly pedestrians and consider the role of street design in maintaining good cardiovascular health in old age.

How did TA fund and win their campaign? How has the New York City Department of Transportation implemented and advanced the program as its own? How have advocates and partners outside the city limits built on the successes of NYC?

Learn more by:

• Listening to the call recording
• Downloading the call Tip Sheet
• Reviewing the host of new resources in our online library, including a host of reports from TA’s campaign

Thanks again to our incredible panelists for sharing their time and insight: Noah Budnick, deputy director for Transportation Alternatives, Ann Marie Doherty from the New York City Department of Transportation and Will Stoner with the New York state AARP.

If you’re working on Safe Routes for Seniors in your community and have resources to share, send them my way: Carolyn@PeoplePoweredMovement.org.