PORT ANGELES — Disabled veterans of the North Olympic Peninsula now have another way to get to their medical appointments.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, is offering a wheelchair-accessible van for non-ambulatory veterans who need a lift to the VA hospital in Seattle, the VA clinic in Port Angeles or any other VA-approved medical appointment.
The vehicle was provided by the VA on a trial basis for the Peninsula.
Few veterans have used the service so far, and the van eventually will be moved to another region if there is no demand, longtime Clallam County veterans advocate Venay Money said.
“We know there’s a need, but a lot of it has to do with getting the word out,” Money said.
How to schedule ride
Veterans throughout Clallam and Jefferson counties can schedule a ride on the specialized van by phoning 360-457-5251.
The two-wheelchair, five-passenger vehicle has a mechanical lift to hoist wheelchairs, scooters and veterans who use walkers.
The Veterans Transportation Service, or VTS, van is separate but complementary to the colorful Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, van that makes regular trips to the Seattle VA hospital, Money said.
The DAV van is operated by the Volunteer Transportation Network.
The difference between the two programs is that the VTS van can accommodate more disabled passengers and has a more flexible schedule, veterans advocates said.
Funding for the VA-owned and -maintained VTS van comes from the 2010 Veterans Omnibus Health Care Act.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
