Transportation is a cornerstone of livability, but older adults and people with disabilities face growing transportation challenges. Losing mobility can mean losing access to health care, groceries, pharmacies, and social connections that support health and well-being. Human Services Transportation (HST) provides a critical network of accessible, often low-cost ride options designed to help older adults, people with disabilities, and residents with low incomes reach essential destinations. This webinar will explore the role HST plays in supporting independence and access, challenges facing riders and providers, lessons from local efforts in San Diego and other communities, and opportunities for policy, partnerships, and innovation to strengthen these important transportation resources.
Meet the Speakers
David Azevedo
Director, Advocacy and Community Engagement
AARP California
Israel Hernandez
Associate State Director, Advocacy
AARP California
David Azevedo
David is an Associate Director, Advocacy and Community Engagement, based in the California State Capitol office in Sacramento. In this role, David leads community-centered advocacy campaigns for AARP California, working with elected officials, state agencies, and community partners throughout the state.
In his Livable Communities work on transportation policy, David developed key AARP wins in the California State Legislature, from lowering speed limits in high-traffic-violence corridors, to securing historic levels of funding for active transportation projects. David has also contributed to AARP’s successful advocacy for housing affordability, helping to bring costs down for older adults and their families. In addition, David represents AARP in high-profile regulatory cases before the California Public Utilities Commission, winning major victories for AARP members, from cutting a rate hike in half for sixteen million utility customers, and defeating several multi-million dollar attempts by corporations to remove landline phone access. David also manages AARP CA’s climate and disaster resilience projects and is the chair of AARP’s national Green SEERG (Employee Resource Group)
David began his career with AARP in 2016, managing the organization’s largest local ballot measure campaign, Measure M, that won with a commanding 71% of the vote and is delivering $120 billion worth of transportation projects in Los Angeles County. In the wake of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, and the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, California, he helped manage AARP’s community support and wildfire recovery efforts.
A native Californian, with roots in the Central Valley and a decade of career experience in Southern California, David is an avid swimmer, adventurous pedestrian, and vinyl record collector.
Israel Hernandez
Israel Hernandez is an Associate State Director for Advocacy with AARP California, based in San Diego. In this role, Israel leads local advocacy, community engagement, and volunteer efforts across San Diego County, working with elected officials, public agencies, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to advance policies that help people remain independent, connected, and engaged as they age.
In his Livable Communities work with AARP, Israel focuses on transportation and mobility, age-friendly communities, housing, disaster resilience, and consumer protection. He has helped lead regional efforts to improve transportation access for older adults and people with disabilities, strengthen local investment in safer streets and multimodal infrastructure, and build partnerships across transit agencies, local governments, and community-based organizations. He also supports AARP’s work with Age-Friendly jurisdictions throughout the region and helps connect local priorities with broader state advocacy opportunities.
Israel leads AARP San Diego’s volunteer advocacy team and works closely with volunteers on local government engagement, public comment, community outreach, and issue campaigns. His recent work has included transportation and budget advocacy, cryptocurrency kiosk protections, emergency preparedness, and regional convenings focused on the future of age-friendly mobility in San Diego County.
Israel previously served five years in the United States Marine Corps as a Ground Intelligence Specialist, including a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. After leaving the Marine Corps, he worked in the human services field as a case manager, crisis prevention and intervention instructor, and director of a family housing agency serving adults with developmental disabilities.
A San Diego native, Israel holds a B.S. in Health Communication from San Diego State University and an M.A. in Psychology and Human Behavior from National University. Outside of work, he enjoys music, walking through new cities and communities, and camping.
November 12
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hosted by: AARP California
