May 2006 vol. 3
Providing the Resources and Tools for the Independent Traveler
Did You Know
1. We are currently evaluating our website
for accessibility. It is available in over 8
different languages. The website is also
keyboard accessible and accessible for
screen readers and closed captions.
Click on
http://www.rideconnection.org/services/
RideWise.htm
to see for yourself and
we welcome any feedback you might
have.
2. In the month of April, RideWise
brochures were placed on 217 LIFT
vehicles.
3. We would also like to welcome 3 new
Ride Ambassadors. Darrell, Peter, and
Sadie, thank you for your commitment
to assisting others.
New Partners
We would like to thank our new partners for
the month of March for helping individuals
become more independent and self-sufficient.
Clackamas Co. Vocational Rehabilitation
Estacada High School
Gresham Barlow School District
Parkrose High School
Treasuring Accepting Supporting Kahila
Tualatin Senior Center
Washington Co. Vocational Rehabilitation
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 PPS and enjoyed the teacher
in-service last month. What are some other
ways RideWise can help transition staff?
A. RideWise supports agency professionals in
the work that they do in many ways;
Student/staff presentations – this can be a
specific topic of interest (i.e. safety) or can
include practice on an out of service vehicle.
Group trips – a RideWise representative can
assist with group trips. A guide to travel
training – available as a free resource. This
guide includes standards of travel training as
well as classroom activities. Pass program –
TriMet fare can be provided to teachers/staff
who are providing travel training to students.
Referral source – If an agency professional is
not able to train a student on a destination
specific trip, the student can be referred to
RideWise for training.
Have a question for our travel trainers?
Contact us and we may feature your
questions in our next monthly newsletter.
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This Month’s Success Story
This month’s success story is about a young
man who is in his mid 20’s. We received this
referral from one of the brokerages that we
work with. This individual wanted to learn to
ride the bus and MAX with his bike to his work
experience. Our travel trainer was able to train
him on to work and back home. In addition the
travel trainer also taught this individual how to
put his bike on the bike rack of the bus and the
safety procedures involved. The individual
was also instructed how to store his bike on the
MAX lines and the proper steps involved. He is
now an independent traveler using two modes
of transportation successfully.
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
As you may know, TriMet has recently updated
their website. The new look is very nice. Here
are some tips that we found maybe helpful
navigating the site and trip planning.
• When trip planning on
http://www.trimet.org
if you know
your transfer point you may want to
plan two trips. One from your point
of departure to the transfer point
and the other from the transfer point
to your destination. The trip planner
is a wonderful tool, however you
may be able to get better results that
way.
• When trip planning if it is possible,
it is best if you can scout the stops
to make sure that each is accessible
for the purpose of your trip
• When using
http://www.trimet.org
be sure to be aware of the service
alerts. These alerts are very
informative regarding detours,
delays, and change in schedules.
Resources
Below you will find some information/links for
our partners. This month we are providing
information for all of the Vocational
Rehabilitation Services that we have worked
with. Vocational Rehabilitation Services assists
Oregonians with disabilities to achieve and
maintain employment and independence.
Offices of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Clackamas County 503.653.3024
East Portland 503.257.4412
Central Portland 503.731.3210
Washington County 503.670.9575
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.