NADTC: The Road to Independence: Travel Instruction for People with Down Syndrome
- Jeffrey Dennis
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Background
Transportation agencies throughout the country are approaching services in unique ways; one of these methods of delivery is travel instruction. This service is often developed by a mobility manager or other agency staff and used as an educational tool to assist passengers individually or in a group setting. Travel instruction is an eligible expense under FTA Section 5310, and can support staff time, transit fares or other resources the program might need to assist in training new or existing passengers. The primary goal of travel instruction is for the user to gain confidence in riding public transportation independently.
What is Travel Instruction?
Travel instruction can assist people with disabilities, older adults, and other interested riders to develop the skills needed to access and use public transportation independently. Providing travel instruction to riders can help them learn essential skills needed to ride the bus, access alternative transportation options and navigate the community on their own.
Navigating transportation can be intimidating to new users, especially for someone with Down Syndrome, who may have trouble understanding route maps or schedules and might even become overwhelmed by abrupt changes in the transit schedules. Creating a formal travel instruction program can be beneficial for riders who may need additional training or guidance in using transportation.
Travel Instruction Example:NJTIP @ Rutgers University
Jeffrey Dennis has worked with individuals of all abilities for over 10 years and is currently the Senior Travel Instructor for the New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) at Rutgers University and a current Board Member for the Association for Travel Instruction. NJTIP @ Rutgers assists individuals with disabilities, older adults, and others to travel independently using public transportation. The program is supported by various funding sources, including FTA Section 5310, which helps expand travel instruction services at NJTIP and improve transit accessibility for all users.
For individuals with Down Syndrome, learning to navigate public transportation is a key step toward independence. Travel instructors must tailor their training to the individual’s needs, using clear instructions, repetition, and hands-on practice. Below are 10 easy steps for travel instructors to assess, prepare, and train someone with Down Syndrome for independent travel.
Gather Information from Family, Caregivers or Teachers who know the individual best to understand their physical abilities, limitations and learning preferences. This step can also uncover strategies that work well for communicating or instruction with the individual.
Assess the Individual’s Ability to read transit schedules, recognize street signs, use transit apps, or route planning tools. Individuals are encouraged to demonstrate the skill, rather than asking, “do you understand?”
Evaluate Physical & Spatial Awareness when boarding a bus, identifying an approaching train, or judging spatial awareness. This information can assist the travel instructor to build in additional time or physical support for route planning.
Teach Route Familiarization by starting with a short, simple route and reinforce the behavior with repetition, identification of landmarks, and practice runs.
Keep Instructions Brief & Direct to avoid overly complex details and check to ensure understanding throughout the training, using simple directions like, “let’s stand at the bus stop sign,”
Use Visual Supports like picture schedules, color-coded maps, or step-by-step guides to reinforce travel instructions.
Practice Money & Ticket Handling based on the individual’s ability. Teach how to use cash, a transit card, or a mobile ticketing app.
Work on Time Management based on the individual’s ability. Show individuals how to read a bus schedule, track time, and set reminders to avoid missing their ride.
Train for Problem-Solving that can prepare them for real-world scenarios like missing a bus, asking for help, or dealing with delays.
Teach Safe Street Crossing & Emergency Preparedness to reinforce roadway safety, recognize traffic signals, and determine where to wait safely. Train individuals on what to do if they get lost, who to ask for help, and how or when to contact emergency services or a guardian.
With patience, repetition, and the right tools, individuals with Down Syndrome can successfully learn to navigate public transportation. By using clear communication or plain language, and structured training with safety factors built-in, travel instructors can help trainees build the skills and confidence they need to travel independently.
Final Thoughts
Trainers can become certified as a Certified Travel Training Instructor, teaching individuals to independently travel from their home to a desired destination, like work, school or social activities. Some agencies combine travel instruction into their existing Orientation & Mobility offerings, but both certifications can be maintained separately.
Skills developed through a travel instruction certification program include:
Observe and understand a client’s social behavior and skill set,
Learn about the local transportation services and options,
Teach individuals to actively use transportation,
Develop individualized trip planning tools or guides,
Identify natural or built barriers along the path of travel.
Travel instruction can be a method to enhance the knowledge and skills of older adults, persons with disabilities, and the public, allowing riders to travel safely and independently throughout their community. Public transportation can be challenging for those who have not ridden a bus in their lifetime, often relying on friends or family for a ride to their vital medical appointments, essential trips, grocery shopping or social outings. Travel instruction can enhance a rider’s confidence in riding on their own and broadening their ability to independently access the services they need.
Written by Jeremy Johnson-Miller, Communications Manager for NADTC, and Jeffrey Dennis, Senior Travel Instructor at NJTIP @ Rutgers University, who currently serves on the ATI Board of Directors.
Original post link: https://www.nadtc.org/news/blog/the-road-to-independence-travel-instruction-for-people-with-down-syndrome
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