Helping People with Developmental Disabilities Utilize Public Transport

Stories, photos and video testimony from individuals who with the assistance from the Project Ride staff have developed the skills to become regular, independent users of fixed public transportation.

After the successful completion of his Travel Training session with Project Ride; Andrew�s accomplishment is recognized by receiving a certification of completion during a small ceremony held at SEEC. Below is a comment from Andrew regarding his training experience.

��I would like to specifically my Travel Trainer (Mr. Bailey) for building my confidence and rebuilding my focus towards my dream of becoming independent. And to be able to get around on my own....��

"My experience to using the MARC train was very relaxing. I now have knowledge of valuable transportation information for my many trips to come."

My knowledge has grown to where that I am visiting places with others that I have never had the opportunity to visit. This experience also broadened my own knowledge of places in Washington Metropolitan Area . This gives me more places to visit for my own pleasure. Now through my own personal knowledge about public transportation, I have been able to find a job that I can now teach others to independently use public transportation.

"I want to take the bus, train, and how to be safe at the same time."

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Catina's eagerness of learning how to take the bus and train showed how important it is for her to take public transportation to places that she enjoys going to for her daily activities. She expresses how much fun it is to take the bus and train as well as it being a reward for herself to know how to get to places on her own and being safe at the same time.

Crossing the congested streets of Potomac and Georgetown were one of Keshav�s greatest challenges during his travel training session. He seemed oblivious of the foot traffic, the stripes on the pavement and the street signs. Keshav�s goal was to learn how to go to his new job at a public relations firm.. Paying attention to details such as reading the bus schedules and replicating his route to work would be a couple of the tactics which the travel trainer had used to reach the goal of sharpening Keshav�s focus and ability to get to and from his destination safely.. Other lessons which he had experienced during his training were; asking the bus driver for assistance in getting to his destination and locating landmarks. Though hard work, dedication and time Keshav can now ride to any choosen destination.

Daniel contacted Project Ride to ask for assistance to help him learn how to independently use the Metro bus and rail system within his community to go to the places that he had never been before on his own. At the beginning Daniel was trained on how to use the public bus to go to and from a local mall. He picked up the skill very quickly. The next goal working with Daniel was to train him to travel to chosen destinations by using the rail system. He now travels from county to county alone.

"I feel more comfortable about where I want to go now!"

Arnold Stein requested the services of the Project Ride program to learn to travel safely and independently to his job, as well as, to social activities. One location that Arnold love to go to, but had never been able to get to on his own is to Westfield Montgomery Mall. In fact Arnold had choosen this location to have his travel training completion ceremony. Throughout his training experience Arnold has learned to independently navigate both the bus and rail systems to get to the places that he chooses to go.

David sought to participate in the Project Ride Program to learn how to successfully travel on the MARC train to Baltimore, MD. To prepare him for attend the DORS Workforce and Technology Program in June 2007.

"I can�t wait to travel outside the state of Maryland."

Within a short period of time David mastered riding the MARC
train from Union Station in Washington, DC to Baltimore; with his trainer providing minimal support. Now David�s travel options are limitless. He plans to start his new exploration of different locations by having his training completion ceremony held at the National Museum of Natural History.

"I loved going to Baltimore and using the MARC train, it was fun!"

Carolina requested Project Ride to help her to get to the DORS Technology and Independent Training Center, in Baltimore. To do this she had to learn how to use the MARC train. She accomplished completing the program with sheer confidence and flying colors. Now Carolina travels every where by her self, to work and to her daily outings. She wants to help others by showing them how easy it is to get to where they need to go by using public transportation.

Monique came to Project Ride wanting to learn how to travel by bus, metro rail, and the MARC train to and from her new school in Baltimore. At first she was a bit nervous but once she was explained and shown how the process of training was she then was very confident about what she can do and is capable of doing. She mastered the training course in such a short period of time because she was always ahead of the game. She would review all of the information that was given to her ahead of time and would call to ask questions that she didn�t understand. Monique is an ambitious young lady that is always prepared for any challenges which she makes them seem so easy to do.

Chris asked Project Ride to help him learn how to travel by bus to and from his home. He knew exactly where to go and what times the bus comes by his house. He also knows how to be safe and the rules of taking public transportation.

Chris completed the travel training course in a short time with great expectations to travel more on his own to places that he can go and do his daily activities. He is looking forward to new adventures.

Martin is a very enthusiastic young man that wanted to learn how to travel by bus and Metro rail. When he came to Project Ride he was so excited about learning how to use public transportation which made it very easy for him to learn and pick up a lot of much needed information. Now that he has finished the travel training he wants to go and visit his family members by himself during the holidays.

Marche' Green
Marche' wanted to learn how to travel on his own to meetings, so he contacted Project Ride. He was eager to start traveling and learning how to get route information. He will always travel with success, because of his attention to detail, as he did during travel training.

Alicia Banks
Alicia is a young ambitious lady that came to Project Ride to learn how to travel by bus. During her travel training sessions she successfully traveled on her own to and from the local grocery store. Alicia was always ahead of schedule and prepared fro the next phase. Now she is traveling independently and doesn't have to ask her mother for a ride.

Melissa Sachs

Melissa came to Project ride for a refresher course in using public transportation because she had not done so for some time. She was very excited to be using public transportation to travel on her own and with friends to social outings. She succeeded in completing the course in a few short sessions because of her determination. Melissa can now travel to meet with friends or go anywhere she wants, with more confidence, by using public trasportation.

Leah Taylor

Leah was a nervous and shy young lady that needed to learn how to get to and from school before she started classes. When she realized it was easy to travel by bus and train, she was no longer nervous.She paid close attention to her safety, what to do in an emergency, and what to do if she were to get lost. She gained knowledge and confidence in using public transportation. "Now i don't have to ask my sister for a ride every time".

Alicia's Story

Alicia , a counselor at SEEC, is an individual who is always focusing on ways to assist her clients in achieving their lifes goals. In order to continue to help one of her clients to reach their goals to futher advancr in the areas of education and employment, she discussed the possiblly of her client learning how to travel independantly using various forms of public transportation. Therefore, she contacted the program to see if this could be something that she and her consumers would benefit from. .

Robert's Story

Robert was rather new to the area, and found that he was eager to learn how to travel to various destinations. To do this independently, he decided to learn how to access public transportation. During his travel training session, Bob gained the chance to visit several locations which he had desired to visit. These locations included Chinatown, Catholic University and Union Station.

"When I was having a problem, my trainer would allow me the time and encouragement to solve it for myself. I was given the independence to find my way in the city. I knew that if I needed help, that my trainer was more than willing to give assistance."

A few of the travel skills which Robert had mastered during his training session are the ability to ride the transit elevators independently and how to read the MARC Train departure/arrival board. For his completion ceremony, Robert and his trainer placed all of his travel skills to test: they boarded the MARC to Baltimore Inner Harbor. This was Bob�s first visit to that city, bit he says it would definitely not be his last.

Joe's & Tina's Story

"It was a wonderful experience. It was helpful to me, and I learned a lot about traveling by myself"

As a person, Joe has become a goal setter. Even when people were not willing to help him achieve his goal in becoming an independant person, he stayed with the program. Joe knows now that he can do anything. He doesn't have to dependent on others for all of his transportation needs. He knows that this experience will take him anywhere that he plans on going. This is proof that anyone can achieve what they set there minds too.

"For the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have been traveling to Baltimore on on the MARC train and I love it!
Tina is a young lady, who is in the process of making great strides in various areas of her life. During the time that she sought services from the program she was also attending school in Baltimore. Tina had the knowledge of how to independently travel using public transportation throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. However, due to misinformation about public transit in Baltimore and a fear of crowds she has never used the low cost, fix transportation to travel to and from school alone. Throughout her travel training sessions Tina�s fears began to subside. Tina learned to control her emotions and her environment. Now she has the ability to travel almost anywhere that she would like to go, all by herself