Going the Extra Mile Servicing Riders with Disabilities
By Mansfield, Jennifer; AT Journal, Vol. 86, No. 1Publication Date: December 2003
Article discusses accessibility features on Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines. Features available on every bus include wheelchair lifts, wheelchair tie-downs, the kneel down system - in which the bus “kneels” down to make it easier to get on the bus, hand rails, and designated wheelchair space. Bus drivers are also trained on Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, and are shown a film titled “The Ten Commandments in Communicating with People with Disabilities.” The drivers must also complete a walk in the shoes of a person with a disability at various stages of their training. The drivers are asked to put on goggles, which have black tape over the eyeholes, and are given a cane to navigate the hallways. They are asked to find the bathroom, go in, and return with a report on their experience. Drivers also complete field-training activities in which each driver participates in twelve different scenarios: six as a wheelchair user, and six as a driver. Each driver must be signed off that they participated in all scenarios before advancing in the training.
Published by:
AT Network (Web Site: http://www.atnet.org )
Link to text: http://www.atnet.org/news/dec03/120103.htm
