November 2006 vol. 9
Providing the Resources and Tools for the Independent Traveler
Q &A with Christina
Did You Know
1.
Have questions about the Portland
Downtown Mall project? Join TriMet at
an upcoming open house, where you
can learn more about the Portland Mall
Project, including bus relocation during
Mall construction; which bus lines are
relocating, locations of temporary stops,
new signage and amenities, strategies
for commuting during construction.
Times and locations are:
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
3–5:30 p.m.
The Portland Building, Room C
1120 SW 5th Avenue, second floor
Thursday, November 16, 2006
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Portland Development Commission
Commission Room
222 NW 5th Avenue (between Everett and
Davis streets
Q. Christina, I work at a brokerage that
serves the Developmental Disability
community. My question is how do you
know if someone is truly an independent
traveler and they are not just copying you?
A. Observing that the trainee is at 100%
efficiency in each identified skill is critical to
the success of the travel trainee. The training
process includes modeling the desired
behavior, prompting, monitoring the trainee
and fading out the prompts, and finally
observing and shadowing. It is important that
the travel trainer has prepared the trainee for
this day. The travel trainer should meet the
trainee at the bus stop and at all transfer points,
including the final destination. In some
instances, an observer unknown to the trainee
may travel the same route to watch for proper
application of travel skills along the route.
After the trip, a review of what happened
should take place and the trainee should
receive encouragement for the newly acquired
skills. The next step is for the travel trainer to
follow in a car without the trainee knowing. If
the trainee is successful with independent
travel, they are considered trained.
2.
In the November issue of Lifestyles
Northwest there was an article about the
RideWise program. The article included
information about the Saturday Adventure
program at Russellville Park. To read
the article online or to find out where to
pick up a copy of Lifestyles Northwest
check out their website
http://www.lifestylesnorthwest.com/ne
ws/index.php
This newsletter is available in alternative
format by calling 503.528.1721
Have a question for our travel trainers?
Contact us and we may feature your
question in our next monthly newsletter
pg_0002
Tip of the Month
This Month’s Success Story
Now that it is fall, the weather is changing
and it is important to prepare for the
conditions. Below are some helpful hints to
assist you and those you may be training.
Clothing
Being prepared for the weather means dressing
appropriately. This means wearing closed-toed
shoes or rain boots, long pants and a rain coat
with hood or an umbrella. If the weather is
cold, a sweater and mittens or gloves are
recommended. But remember the weather can
change through the day, so layering is very
important.
Bus Pass
Keeping your bus pass in a plastic cover or
case can protect it from getting wet and
destroyed in the rain. You can buy a plastic
cover at any office supply or grocery store.
Our success story this month is about a young
man who lives in Gresham who wanted to learn
how to ride TriMet so he could participate in
ARC Recreational Activities. He formerly
rode his bike almost everywhere, so we worked
with him how to travel with his bike on the bus
and MAX to multiple sites where ARC
Recreational Activities take place. He also
learned how to transfer from the bus to
MAX. He is now an independent traveler. He
recently decided to take a trip to the zoo on his
own with some friends and was able to get to
the zoo and back due to the skills he learned
through participating in travel training.
Riding at night
Wear light-colored clothing and carry a
reflector or flashlight so the operator can see
you at dark stops along the route.
TriMet’s Night Drop
If you are traveling alone between 8 p.m. and 5
a.m., you can ask the operator to drop you off
between stops. The operator will pull over at a
safe place to let you off. This is drop off only,
you can’t be picked up anywhere along the
route.
Contact Us
To Enroll or ask a question: 503.528.1743
Snow and Ice Days
In winter months, during snow and ice storms,
busses run on snow routes and sometimes don’t
run at all. For up to date information, call 503-
238-RIDE (7433) and press option 2.
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.
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.