Creating Community Connections In Travel Training Julie RosekransAmanda Taylor.

Creating Community ConnectionsIn Travel Training

Julie Rosekrans Amanda Taylor

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Serving Central Maryland

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Transit Providers in the Region

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Partnerships are the key to starting, growing and sustaining a successful travel training program!

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

CMRT Partnerships Made

• Humanim, Inc.

• Governmental Department of Citizen Services

• Local Commissions on Disability Issues

• Disability and Senior Care providers

• Transit systems

• The IMAGE Center

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Recruiting Supports from Local Governments

• Space to host train-the-trainer-workshops and community trainings

• Free bus and train passes

• Training buses provided in travel training workshops

• Donated in-kind space for staff: cubicles, computers, etc.

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Humanim, Inc.

• CMRT partnered with Humanim, Inc to develop an Accessible Bus Stop Program

• Increased accessibility resulted in 16 of Humanim’s clients accessing services from the agency

• Minor bus stop change and route deviation resulted in an increase of 13 riders on the route

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Free Community Training

• Targeted marketing to promote event

• Partnered with three local agencies for support

• Families, self-advocates, disability providers and general community members all attended

• Included field training on a training bus donated as a result of another partnership

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

School Curriculum Inclusion

• Partnering with Baltimore City Schools Special Education Life Skills Program enabled us to expand the reach of our program

• Weekly travel training workshops are conducted in the school system

• A piece of CMRT’s curriculum is used by teachers weekly

Central Maryland Regional Transit ©

Advisory Committee Partnerships

• An Advisory Committee guides CMRT’s Travel Training program

• Representatives from all six counties we serve

• The IMAGE Center is represented on CMRT’s committee

• Members include care providers, self-advocates, government officials, transit authority staff and transitioning youth coordinators

Creating Community Connections

Amanda TaylorTravel Training Program Director

The IMAGE Center

The Arc of Baltimore Chimes Creative Options’ Job Club

Connecting with Community Agencies/Organizations

Baltimore County & Baltimore City public schools (CBI & Life Skills programs)

Strawbridge School (nonpublic special education)

The IMAGE Center Teen Connect Program

University of Maryland Baltimore County SUCCESS Program

Towson University Institute for Well-Being Studio One Program

Baltimore County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Educational Connections

Senior Centers Catholic Charities senior apartments Baltimore County Department of Aging Baltimore County Senior Community Service

Employment Program

Senior Connections

Maryland Access Point Disability.gov Agency list serves, ex. Pathfinders for

Autism

Online Connections

Independence Now SILC and CILs Maryland Department of Disabilities

Independent Living Center Connections

Baltimore County Ride MTA Citizens Advisory Committee & Citizens

Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation

Transit Agency Connections

Orioles Games Lexington Market Maryland Live

Casino Downtown

Annapolis Washington, D.C.

Community Integration

Outreach Coordinator Social Media Web Presence Online Education Digital Media New school partnerships School & Senior Fairs/Expos

Outreach Efforts

MTA “Roadeo”

Special Events