Our Travel Trainer is certified through Easterseals Project Action Consulting (ESPAC) through the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida.
Travel trainers primarily teach people with disabilities, older adults, and interested travelers how to access and use public transportation independently. They focus on knowledge of human development and behavior, study various transportation systems and services, and teach concepts of interaction with the natural and built environment along travel paths.
The travel trainer will first work with the participants to assess their individual needs. Once a plan is implemented, participants will develop the skills to confidently and successfully ride buses in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
Program elements can include: A personalized trip planning system that is easy to access and addresses the individual travel needs of each participant. This personalized service provides customers with information on all transportation options so they can make educated choices for each of their trips.
Familiarize participants with their transportation options, including bus and other community-based transportation options.
Fixed-route vehicle familiarization services are designed for individuals needing assistance and practical boarding bus experience to increase confidence and reduce unnecessary stressors.
How Travel Training Can Assist You
Completing an environmental analysis of the travel path identifies environmental, physical, and social barriers that may impede transportation access.
Developing Safety Techniques and Confidence
The travel trainer provides skills-building and general safety tips for traveling with confidence. Skills may include:
- General safety
- Traveling with confidence
- Transit safety
- Tips for traveling at night
- Safe pedestrian techniques
- Using audible signals
- Identifying safe and unsafe situations
- Techniques to use when confronted with an uncomfortable situation
- Developing problem-solving skills