William G. Bell

Endowed Positions in Gerontology and Geriatrics in Higher Education: Results from a Preliminary Survey.

This article reports findings from a preliminary survey of the growing phenomenon of endowed faculty positions in social gerontology and geriatric units in institutions of higher learning in the United States. Survey informants were largely members of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education who were polled in January and February 1986. It is apparent there has been a distinct upsurge since 1980 in the sheer number of endowed chairs and professorships in gerontological units covered by the survey. Of some 29 endowed positions reported in this survey, 23, or about 80%, were established in the years beginning with 1980. Selected characteristics of this development are identified and described. A follow‐up study on the impact of this emerging trend on the quality and direction of academic programs of gerontological education and research is proposed.

TRANSPORT FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE HANDICAPPED - AN OVERVIEW FROM THE LATE 70'S

Over the last ten years, there has been considerable interest in a number of countries in the accessibility and mobility problems of the transport disadvantaged particularly the elderly and the handicapped. The authors summarize the rationale that has been used in the examination of needs and demand and in the provision of infrastructure in the form of vehicles and installations. The paper outlines some of the more important policies relating to the United States, Great Britain, France and a number of other countries.

STOCKHOLM'S TRANSPORT FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED: AN INTEGRATED MODEL

Stockholms programme of special transportation, administered by the Greater Stockholm Public Transport (SL) is composed of three elements (a) a demand responsive service utilizing commercial taxis for individual trips, (b) a fleet of modified minibuses for routine and repetitive trips, both offering door-to-door service, and (c) continued modification of conventional public transport vehicles and equipment to extend their accessibility for handicapped trip makers. Commercial taxi service is described as the primary source of transportation, with 91 per cent of those eligible being provided with special authorization cards. The user pays three crowns, the current mass transit fare to the driver, and the taxi company is reimbursed by SL at the metered rate. Reimbursement controls associated with the 2500 taxis participating in this scheme are described, and statistics provided on journey details and costs. A fleet of 135 modified minibuses caters for those who cannot or need not use taxis, with three quarters of the trips being associated with home to and from school and clinic journeys. Details of the vehicles, journey schedules and driver training are presented. Reference to public transport accessibility indicates the installation of lifts at all subways, and escalators from street and or ticket levels to station platforms. Financing and costs are discussed. (TRRL)