January 2007 vol. 11

Providing the Resources and Tools for the Independent Traveler

Did You Know

1.

The RideWise Program recently

completed a vide on our travel training

services. It is now able for viewing at

our website. To see the video go to:

http://rideconnection.org

or

http://rideconnection.org/services/Ride

Wise_video.htm

. If you have any

feedback on the video, please let us

know.

2.

Just wanted to remind you again that

the Portland Transit Mall is moving on

Sunday, January 14

th

from 5

th

& 6

th

Ave

to 3

rd

& 4

th

Ave. For specific route

changes go to:

http://trimet.org/buschanges/index.htm

3.

A RideWise community partner is

hiring. SDRI (Self-Determination

Resources, Inc.) is hiring for a part time

personal agent. SDRI's mission is to

support people with disabilities to

determine and direct their lives. This is

accomplished by assisting individuals

and family members to plan their

supports, and by providing fiscal

intermediary services, training and

technical assistance. For more

information, please visit:

www.sdri-pdx.org

.

This newsletter is available in alternative

format by calling 503.528.1721

Q & A with Christina

Q. I work for one of the Developmental

Disability brokers and I referred a customer

who was successfully travel trained awhile

back. However, the customer transfers

Downtown and is concerned about changes

in his routes and his transfer points. What

assistance is available for them?

A. The RideWise program can assist in the new

routes and will re-train individuals as well. In

addition, anyone who we trained who has a

transfer on the bus mall, has received letters or

phone calls to see if there are questions or

concerns that we may be able to assist them

with.

Q. Christina, one of my students is a non-

English speaking individual, how would you

be able to assist them?

A. We are always looking for bilingual staff

members. Currently we have our brochures in

Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. We have

the ability to translate the information in other

languages as well. When we work directly with

an individual who does not speak or understand

English, we would then have an interpreter

present during all meetings and trainings. In

addition we have bilingual Ride Connection

employees who can assist us as well, when

people call in.

Have a question for our travel trainers?

Contact us and we may feature your

question in our next newsletter.

RideWise is a collaborative effort between TriMet and RideConnection to promote independent travel for older

adults and people living with disabilities by providing access to information, training, and support.

Tip of the Month

As stated in last month’s newsletter, this

section will be focusing on working with

individuals with varying ability levels and

conditions. Last month we discussed using

people first language. This month we will

discuss working with individuals who have

physical impairments.

There are many types of orthopedic or

neuromuscular impairments that can impact

mobility. These include but are not limited to:

amputation, paralysis, Cerebral Palsy, Stroke,

Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy,

Arthritis, and spinal cord injury. Mobility

impairments range from lower body

impairments, which may require use of canes,

walkers, or wheelchairs; to upper body

impairments which may include: limited or no

use of the upper extremities and hands. It is

impossible to generalize the functional abilities

of students with mobility impairments due to

the wide variety of disabilities and specific

diagnoses.

Mobility impairments can be permanent, or

temporary. A broken bone or surgical

procedure can temporarily impact a person’s

ability to walk or travel independently.

Likewise, some individuals may be ambulatory

with a walker for short distances within their

living environment, but may need a wheelchair

or scooter for longer distances.

Mobility impairments may impact, to varying

degrees, a person’s ability to manipulate

objects. Medical conditions such as Arthritis or

repetitive stress injuries can impact fine motor

abilities and decrease endurance. A person's

physical abilities may also vary from day to

day.

Strategies and things to remember:

Be Prepared – Assessments are an important

tool to get to know the trainee prior to going

out in the field for the first time. By getting to

know the trainee and how their condition

impacts their mobility, you can be better

prepared to develop accommodations.

Plan Ahead – Prior to travel training, complete

an environmental barrier analysis for the

trainee’s particular route. Make sure that the

path of travel is safe and accessible for each

individual’s condition by completing a route

and scout before training.

Make Accommodations - When giving

directions to a person who uses a mobility

device, consider distance, weather conditions,

and physical obstacles the person may

encounter. Also create a back-up plan with the

trainee in case their mobility device

malfunctions while out in the community.

This Month’s Success Story

A young woman rode the bus to and from

school and work independently, but wanted to

learn to get to her sister’s house. The trainee

and the RideWise travel trainer took a route

that used one bus she was already familiar with

and one bus she hadn’t ridden before.

Unfortunately, at the stop nearest her sister’s

house, there is no crosswalk but her sister is

willing to come and assist her in crossing the

five lanes of traffic between the bus stop and

her house. With the help of the trainee’s

natural support system, she is now able to take

this trip independently.

Contact Us

To Enroll or ask a question: 503.528.1743

To Volunteer: 503.528.1748

Do you have any suggestions for an

upcoming newsletter?

ridewisenews@rideconnection.org

An electronic version of the newsletter is also

available just email us.