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STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE NEXT HEALTH CONNECTOR WEBINAR!
Now is your chance to help in the development of an app that will schedule and manage medical appointments and transportation services in one application.
We are in the design stage within this project and will post updates as we progress.
HIRTA Public Transit provides demand response services to population in 7 county areas, including Dallas County. HIRTA Public Transit applied for a project opportunity from the US DOT to complete a Health Connector Concept. What is a Health Connector Concept? Health Connector: An individual’s ability to go from origin to destination reliably, spontaneously, confidently, independently, safely, and efficiently without gaps in the travel chain.
During Phase 1: Concept Development, work is being completed to establish partners, develop cohort roundtables. We are in the process of developing an app that will schedule and manage medical appointments and transportation services in one application This phase will take up to 12 months.
HIRTA Public Transit and its team members will hold stakeholder meetings and public meetings to get feedback and information from different groups and target audiences. Our goal is to understand the limitations, challenges and options available for individuals.
Over this 24 month period, the HIRTA Public Transit team and partners will work to design, test and deploy a Health Connector Solution. Evaluations on the framework and planning will be completed.
Minimum of 18 months will be spent to demonstrate multiple large-scale deployments. The team will share data and lessons learned.
The overall goal is to sustain operations for a minimum period of five years after the program is completed with no additional funds focused on rural areas.
The Health Connector, led by HIRTA, aims to address the needs and challenges faced by various populations, particularly underserved communities, in accessing healthcare services. The overview is to integrate healthcare appointment scheduling and transportation. The objective is to ensure enhanced and equal access to healthcare options for all residents, with a specific focus on groups such as persons with disabilities, individuals with low income, older adults, veterans, and those with limited English proficiency. For more information and updates, visit the Health Connector website.
We’re glad you’re ready to take the first step to ride Health Connector! To register, please fill out the registration form on the Health Connector website. You can also give HIRTA a call at 1 (877) 686-0029 or email HealthConnector@RideHIRTA.com.
Once registered and briefed by a HIRTA employee, you can book your Health Connector trip using the HIRTA On Demand app or the web portal. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Standard message and data rates may apply. Additionally, there is a kiosk conveniently located at the Dallas County Hospital.
One-way trips within town are $2.50. One-way trips within the county are $5.00. Additional pricing details vary based on funding, distance, and the type of ride needed. Contact HIRTA for the most accurate fare information.
While the Health Connector focuses on healthcare transportation, HIRTA offers other services for general transportation needs.
HIRTA vehicles are 100% ADA-accessible. Riders can request additional accommodations when booking. The HIRTA On Demand app is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic and is screen-reader friendly. The Dallas County Hospital features the use of NaviLens technology which helps riders and patients navigate the hospital with ease.
NaviLens is an innovative navigation system designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating public spaces with ease. It utilizes colorful QR-like codes that can be scanned from a distance by a smartphone camera. The NaviLens app delivers audio feedback about the location, directions, and other relevant information. NaviLens provides users receive real-time orientation and guidance.
NaviLens is designed for people who are blind or have low vision. The NaviLens app provides auditory read-outs. NaviLens Go is designed for sighted users and provides text and augmented reality features. Though NaviLens and NaviLens Go serve different needs, they work together to make public spaces more inclusive and informative. Anyone interested, regardless of whether they use HIRTA or Health Connector, can download the NaviLens or NaviLens Go app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to take advantage of these tools.
Download the NaviLens app for free on Apple App Store and Google Play.
Download the NaviLens GO app for free on Apple App Store and Google Play.
HIRTA offers Travel Training to provide support focused on how to safely and independently use public transportation. The training is completely free and can be done one-on-one, as small groups, or large groups. The training will be personalized to best suit your needs. For more information or to sign up for a Travel Training session, visit www.RideHIRTA.com/TravelTraining.
Visit HIRTA’s website at www.RideHIRTA.com. For additional resources, you can explore the Health Connector's Linktree, which provides easy access to tools, guides, and updates.
The Health Connector promotes rural mobility by improving access to healthcare, supporting sustainability, and addressing rural inequities in transportation.
HIRTA’s volunteer program offers opportunities to contribute. Contact HIRTA for more information on how to get involved.
For more information or to provide feedback, please contact HIRTA by calling 1 (877) 686-0029 or email at HealthConnector@RideHIRTA.com. For more information about HIRTA, review HIRTA’s service policies, FAQs about HIRTA, or contact us with any further questions.
Thank you for contacting us about this project.
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Reach out to HIRTA staff if you have any questions or would like more information about Health Connector.
Phone: 1 (877) 686-0029
Email: info@ridehirta.com
Website: www.ridehirta.com/its4us
Address: 2824 104th Street | Urbandale, Iowa 50322