Pierce County Resource Guide to Services and Supports for Individuals
Who Experience Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
(section links below).
Please call our office at 253.564.0707 to make arrangements to pick up your copy!
Dear Reader:
This Pierce County Resource Guide is dedicated to the hard work and commitment of those who have endeavored
timelessly over the years to “keep the promise.”
We want to acknowledge the generous support of Pierce County Human Services, Developmental Disabilities
Program, in providing the funds to update and print this important comprehensive guide to services and supports
for individuals who experience intellectual/ developmental disabilities. This important tool will assist you in
navigating the public and private programs and services available throughout Pierce County and beyond.
The Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2) welcomes the opportunity to assist individuals
and families in finding the services and programs that best meet your needs. We are here to answer your calls
if you need further assistance. Whether you are an individual who experiences an intellectual/developmental
disability, have a family member who experiences an intellectual/developmental disability, work within the disability
field, or are in the general community, we welcome your questions and concerns.
We acknowledge that, when compiling this complex list of resources, there are changes that can occur during the
production process. Please know that every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of agency
information.
Absolute Mobility Center offers new and used wheelchair accessible vans, vehicle rentals, powered wheelchairs and scooters, adaptive equipment such as restraint systems, hand controls, and transfer seats, as well as ramps and lifts to make your vehicle as easy and safe as possible to use. Feel free to call or visit our website for more information or to see listing of available vehicles.
Absolute Mobility Center offers new and used wheelchair accessible vans, vehicle rentals, powered wheelchairs and scooters, adaptive equipment such as restraint systems, hand controls, and transfer seats, as well as ramps and lifts to make your vehicle as easy and safe as possible to use. Feel free to call or visit our website for more information or to see listing of available vehicles.
Angel Flight West is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. Our network of 1,400+ pilots throughout the 13 western states donate their aircraft, piloting skills, and all flying costs to help families in need, enabling them to receive vital treatment that might otherwise be inaccessible because of financial, medical, or geographic limitations.
Family owned and operated, Around the Sound/TransPro is pleased to be the foremost transportation service in the Puget Sound area, serving those with special needs, as well as customers seeking point-to-point driver services. Our drivers have a superior track record for safety and satisfaction, and our vehicles are designed to accommodate any and all unique needs you may have.
Beyond the Borders transportation service helps eligible riders in east and south Pierce County, who are outside of the Pierce Transit service area, access public transit, medical services, employment and shopping. The service is free for eligible riders including people with disabilities, seniors 65+, youth aged 12-17, and those who identify as low income.
We believe the elderly should be able to live in security and dignity. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services provide a variety of services to seniors and to people with disabilities that dignifies each individual while providing the needed tools to help extend independent living and promote physical and mental well being. As our senior population continues to grow, we are constantly looking for new ways to provide solutions to a variety of care challenges and opportunities. Historically, CCS has provided home care services that enable seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their own homes. In addition, we provide this to people with low or no income, as well as to people who are able to pay for the service. An outgrowth of our home care programs has been the recognition that low income seniors who are not homebound need nutritional meals and socialization. To this end, numerous senior meal sites as well as Meals on Wheels have been established in Pierce County. Other services to seniors and people with disabilities include referrals through Volunteer Services, a vast network of help that matches volunteers to the needs of seniors and others; low income housing, and volunteer transportation.
Envoy America provides the safest and most reliable senior transportation plus assistance and companionship services. We are trusted by seniors, their families, senior living communities, healthcare organizations and religious institutions because of our safety, ease of use, and reliability standards. Driver Companions must be verified through background checks and driving assessments. Seniors, their families, and businesses can make reservations by calling or booking through our online portal. Seniors and patients can expect timely, exceptional service with every appointment. Services include: door-to-door service, extra assistance, professional driver companions, wait & return, multiple stops and reserve in advance. We serve the following areas in western Washington: Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Spanaway, and Tacoma.
Our vision is a coordinated transportation network that allows all people to access the services they need. FindARide.org includes information about a wide range of transportation resources to ensure that the mobility needs of veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and others are met. Increased awareness of and simplified access to transportation services will allow site users to connect with service providers and community resources.
Our mission is to help those with mobility needs to live the most active, and independent life as possible. The Goldenwest Mobility goal is to provide wheelchair vans, handicap vans and mobility equipment in Washington tailored to the client's needs for safe and secure transportation. We feel that it is necessary to evaluate each client's abilities, their vehicle needs, transportation requirements as well as financial considerations, before making recommendations. We keep a variety of wheelchair vans and handicap vans in stock and ready to fulfill those recommendations. Goldenwest Mobility now has Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda wheelchair vans to match the needs of discriminating clientele. Rental units are available to try before purchase. Goldenwest Mobility also keeps a wide range of mobility equipment in stock as solutions to fit our clients' other needs.
The mission of The Mustard Seed Project is to ensure choices for healthy aging on the Key Peninsula by connecting elders with innovative programs and resources. The vision of the Mustard Seed Project is to create an elder-friendly Key Peninsula, where our neighbors may choose to safely “age in place” with dignity and respect. Our services include: community volunteer network, Key Peninsula senior ride program, key senior information center, our Key Peninsula assisted living project, support groups, forums, and classes.
Northwest Transport Inc. provides convenient, affordable, safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for individuals with special needs. Our courteous employees are dedicated to providing prompt and efficient transportation in and round the Puget Sound area. We work in King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties or anywhere you need to go. Our employees are especially trained in serving people of all ages and disabilities. Our drivers greet all our customer's with a smile. Northwest Transport is ADA compliance. Please contact us for more information about contract services and to make reservations.
Paratransit Services provides Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) brokerage services under contract with the State of Washington's Health Care Authority (HCA). Services include door to door trip coordination and scheduling as well as the distribution of bus passes from local municipalities to qualified recipients. Paratransit Services is one of six transportation brokers contracted by the HCA to provide Medicaid Transportation and associated services. Paratransit Services currently operates in ten Washington Counties and it's headquarters is in Bremerton Washington.
Pierce County Coordinated Transportation Coalition
The Pierce County Coordinated Transportation Coalition (PCCTC) is a group of people representing human services agencies, private and nonprofit transportation providers, the Medicaid transportation broker, local public transportation agencies, and people who use transportation services. The PCCTC works to make it easier for seniors, individuals with disabilities and people with low incomes to get to work or school, medical or social service appointments, shopping, recreation and social activities. The PCCTC develops the local Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan outlining strategies to meet the ever increasing transportation needs in Pierce County, including rural areas such as Buckley, Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Eatonville, Graham, McKenna, Orting, Roy, Sumner and Wilkeson.
Pierce Transit Community Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG)
The Pierce Transit Community Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG) is a nine-member advisory group that provides input to the Board of Commissioners. It was chartered to offer an opportunity for community stakeholders to provide feedback and suggest improvements and recommendations on plans, policies, and services offered by Pierce Transit. CTAG was created to provide a forum for interactive discussions that encourages community stakeholder input, creating a two-way conduit to inform and get information out to the public; represent the interests of the community and assist staff and the Board of Commissioners in meeting strategic priorities. They provide input to the Board of Commissioners on local public transportation issues such as: service changes, Title VI requirements, strategic plans, budget, fare structures, transit amenities, and other issues.
ORCA smart cards simplify fares and transfers. The card is purchased one-time and riders add value to the card to cover their fares. You can use an ORCA Card like cash to pay your bus fare. The card stores cash value which can be used as fare on your trips. You can store value from $5 to $300 on your ORCA card. The card itself has a one-time $5 purchase fee which can be purchased online, by phone, or in person at any Pierce Transit Bus Shop. Visit orcacard.com for complete information. ORCA is accepted on: Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. Just tap your Orca card on the card reader when you board and the fare will be deducted from the value on the card.
Ridematch is a simple, easy, and secure way to find a rideshare partner any time of the day for everything from carpools, vanpools, SchoolPools and biking to work, to one-time special events like ballgames and concerts. You can even create your own personal event and invite others to share the ride to the event. Your event is private so only those you invite can see it.
SHUTTLE is a shared-ride service for people who, because of their disability, are unable to ride a regular Pierce Transit bus. SHUTTLE provides door- to-door service, or in some instances, transportation to transit centers or bus stops to connect with regular bus service. To qualify for SHUTTLE service you must meet one of the following conditions, as set by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act: you are functionally unable to get on or off a transit bus, even with use of a wheelchair lift; you are physically unable to get to or from a regular Pierce Transit bus stop; you are unable to understand and follow transit directions or understand information signs for reasons other than language. Please visit our website for more information and certification process.
The Lakewood Walmart has contracted with a private company to provide free transportation to seniors and people with disabilities from their homes directly to Walmart. Transportation is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They ask for a 48-hour minimum advance reservation but can take reservations several weeks out. Their service area is fairly broad - DuPont, Steilacoom, Fircrest, University Place, Tacoma (and maybe Parkland). The service is contracted by Walmart to MTR Western in Seattle.
Established in 1982, Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation (RFWF) is a community-based non-profit organization that mobilizes our community to address the critical issues of hunger, access to healthcare, mental health and student success. Our mission is to create and support a healthy community. We convene and collaborate with donors, volunteers, clients, businesses, local government and faith and community leaders to meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens and solve our community’s toughest challenges. RFWF carries out its mission through community-wide, core initiatives including the Care Van and Neighbors Feeding Neighbors; initiatives designed to meet emerging needs including mental health and integrated student supports; mini-grants to other organizations that align with our mission; and by providing meaningful opportunities for caring citizens to serve and invest financially in their community. Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation serves seniors, veterans, disabled, families, and elementary and middle school students in the Enumclaw and White River School Districts. Our service area includes southeast King County and northeast Pierce County serving the communities of Plateau and Foothills. Specific areas include Enumclaw, Black Diamond, Cumberland, Ravensdale, Buckley, Carbonado, Green Water, and Wilkeson. Please visit our website for more detailed information on programs and how you can donate to the Foundation.
Roads to Independence provides free rides to low income and special needs clients in East Pierce Co. and South King Co. All riders must be referred to the program by their case managers.
We plan, build and operate express buses, light rail, and commuter train services for the central Puget Sound Region so that people can get to where they’re going, safely and economically.
Owned and operated in Bonney Lake, the Paddy Wagon is a “for hire” transportation and ride service company servicing Bonney Lake and it’s surrounding area. Whether you need a ride to the store, bus station, airport, or just a ride home from the local tavern, we’re here for you.
Travel Training is a personal service geared toward your needs. It is free and available to seniors and those with disabilities seeking independence by using transit. After working with your personal trainer, you will feel confident and comfortable riding the bus. Public transportation is a safe, reliable, and economical way to get wherever you want to go! Pierce Transit Travel Trainers are friendly and respectful. They customize individual training sessions to fit your needs. You’ll walk to your bus stop together, and review bus schedules and fares. You will learn everything you want to know to make bus riding simple such as how to: plan your trip to specific destinations using the easiest and safest route, read and understand route maps and schedules, recongnize bus numbers, stops and landmarks, travel to and from bus stops, board the bus with mobility device, pay fares and purchase passes, locate and transfer to other buses, know where and how to safetly cross the street, travel independently and confidently by bus, and use stop request cards.
The mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is to ensure our nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world, which improves the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and increases the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses.
Our volunteer transportation service provides low-income elders and disabled adults with the transportation they need to be able to get to their medical appointments, the grocery store, and to other essential errands. In some areas, we also provide rides to individuals referred by Medicaid. Our volunteer drivers are generous, well-trained individuals; the service helps maintain independence and dignity and really “Brings Community Home.” Call for Intake/Client Services & All Transportation.
