June 2006 vol. 4
Providing the Resources and Tools for the Independent Traveler
Did You Know
1. Last month we updated our website for
accessibility, this month, because of
your feedback, we updated our website
for purposes of content. Check us out at
http://www.rideconnection.org/services/
RideWise.htm
to see for yourself and
we welcome any additional feedback
you might have.
2. RideWise and Russellville Park have
partnered to launch a pilot program
called “Saturday Adventures”, open to
anyone interested. The group meets at
Russellville Park with a RideWise
volunteer to embark on their “Saturday
Adventure”. The “Saturday
Adventures” group has already taken
their 1
st
trip to the Portland Airport.
The focus of the program isn’t so much
about where we went, rather how we
got there. Call Mike Mullins at 503-
528-1743 for further information.
New Partners
We would like to thank our new partners for
the month of May for helping individuals
become more independent and self-sufficient.
Century High School
David Douglas High School
Marshall High School
Oregon State Hospital (IHOP)
United Cerebral Palsy (Youth Transition
Group)
Interested in getting involved? To become a
partner, refer a client or sign up for a
presentation about services available, give us a
call.
Q &A with Chris, a Travel
Trainer
Q. I work for Oregon City High School and
was wondering if RideWise provides
training for staff and what services you offer
during the summer months.
A. RideWise may be offering training for those
individuals who wish to gain more knowledge
in the field of travel training. These trainings
will be held in late summer or early fall. For
those who are interested please contact us at
ridewisenews@rideconnection.org
There
maybe limited availability so if you are
interested please let us know ASAP. RideWise
provides one-on-one travel training throughout
the year, at no cost. We can provide training to
anyone who has a disability or is an older adult.
For school programs we can provide the one-
on-one training where school staff can not
provide that training, whether it is during
school hours, before or after school hours, or
when school is not in session.
Have a question for our travel trainers?
Contact us and we may feature your
questions in our next monthly newsletter.
pg_0002
This Month’s Success Story
Brandon, a 21 year-old non-verbal post high
school transition student, was referred to the
RideWise program by the staff at his school.
Brandon loves TriMet and riding the bus and
would love to ride the bus all day, if he could.
He had ridden few times by himself, but fell
asleep one time and got lost. His teachers
decided that they needed to make sure he was
able to ride safely and independently. Brandon
rides from a physical education program back
to his school. He has demonstrated that he is a
safe rider and will be exiting the program soon,
after he graduates from his transition program.
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.
This newsletter is available in alternative
format by calling 503.528.1721
Tips of the Month
TriMet will begin construction on the I-
205/Portland Mall light rail project starting in
January of 2007. During construction, busses
will be moved from 5
th
and 6th to 2
nd
and 3
rd
Ave and Columbia and Jefferson. For more
information log onto
http://trimet.org/portlandmall/busrelocation
Remember to:
•
Scout the route before taking an
individual out. Completing a path of
travel analysis prior to taking someone
out on the system ensures that the
trainer knows if the trip is accessible to
the individual based on their ability
level and conditions.
•
Know your trainee’s learning style,
motivation, strengths and weaknesses.
This will ensure a positive experience
and independence on the new routes.
•
Make sure that you plan enough
time for practice. With these new routes
it may take awhile before one can
safely and independently know the new
routes.
Resources
Below you will find some information/links for
our partners. This month we are providing
information for all of the employment/career
agencies we have worked with. These agencies
assist individuals with disabilities in job
training and placement.
CCI Enterprises 503.652.9036
http://www.ccienterprises.org
Goodwill Industries of the Columbia
Willamette 503.238.6176
http://www.meetgoodwill.org
Portland Habilitation Center 503.261.1266
http://www.phcnw.com
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.