COMPASS Lab

Main Objectives

The Community Mobility and Participation in Society (COMPASS) lab focuses on enabling access to public transportation for individuals who are transportation disadvantaged so that they may participate in their necessary (e.g. work or medical appointments) and preferred activities in the community. Manageable transportation is a critical element for accessing community services and social engagement. Participating in chosen activities and obtaining health care as needed are critical factors in developing or maintaining optimal health. Through a service grant begun in 2005 with Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IPTC), COMPASS has provided 2570 assessments as of December 2007 to determine ADA eligibility for paratransit services for individuals who have conditions that prevent them from using regular public transportation.

COMPASS has three principle focus areas:

• Conduct descriptive studies of IPTC’s ADA ridership and phenomenological studies of the “lived experience” of consumers using public transportation to determine key questions for further research.
• Conduct systematic reviews of assessment tools that measure the cognitive, physical, sensory, and psychosocial demands required to use public transportation.
• Market a comprehensive public transportation skills assessment/intervention protocol and present evidence-based approaches to resolving public transportation problems at state, national, and international conferences and workshops.

Research Environment

COMPASS is located in IPTC headquarters which provides daily contact with IPTC staff, multidisciplinary service providers, and consumers. To date, COMPASS gave two presentations at national conferences and two manuscripts await review for publication. As we develop an assessment protocol and a travel training program, COMPASS will expand collaboration locally (e.g. service agencies and schools) and nationally (university research centers).