RERC on Accessible Transportation
The Center on Self-Determination's RERC on Accessible Intercity Transportation is currently in Year 4 of a 5-year contract with the National Center for Accessible Transportation (NCAT) at Oregon State University. In collaboration with national air carriers such as Delta, Northwest, Alaska, Horizon, Continental, and Hawaiian Airlines, as well as subcontractors including Aviation Safeguards and Huntleigh U.S.A., we are developing a comprehensive training program for air transportation personnel called ON OUR WAY. The Center on Self-Determination is still working to make air travel more accessible, safe, and dignified for people with disabilities by developing a training program for air travel employees called ON OUR WAY.
Our funders:
- National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education
- National Center for Accessible Transportation, Oregon State University
Our industry and organizational partners:
Where we're at the ON OUR WAY training program:
We are coming into the home stretch and things are shaping up!
Biomechanics study findings and information from focus groups have been incorporated into the ON OUR WAY program. Thank you again to all our industry and organizational partners for your valuable contributions and, especially, to the many travelers with disabilities who have weighed in on what they feel is important to include in the ON OUR WAY training.
Draft materials including the Instructors Guide, Participant Guide, Learning Tools, Evaluations, and an Instructional DVD filmed at Oregon State University's biomechanics lab, an unused terminal and jetbridge at the Portland Airport, and on board an aircraft in production at the Boeing Aircraft plant in Everett, Washington, are ready for pilot testing in January 2008.
Following pilot tests, materials will be revised, field tested with our organizational partners, and then made available to the public. We have also been working closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation to strategize about how best to roll out the program. THE BUZZ about the issue of accessible air travel for EVERYBODY - in both the industry and among travelers - is still going strong. In the final year of the ON OUR WAY project, we will continue to raise awareness about this issue by presenting at conferences, writing articles and reports, and providing technical assistance to travelers and travel providers.
There will be more opportunities for involvement so please keep in touch if you're interested. Contact Dean Westwood or Michael McCarthy for more information.
Leadership Development:
In the spirit of NIDRR's desire to educate, train, and develop future leaders in the field, the Center on Self-Determination has worked extensively with Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) students.
To find out more about the LEND program and its sponsoring agency the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).
Products:
Conference Abstracts:
- International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence (ICADI) 2006
- International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence (ICADI) 2008
Presentations:
- Development of a Comprehensive Passenger Assistance Training (American Public Health Association 2006)
- Traveler's Voices: Intercity Transportations Capacity to Provide (TRANSED Canada 2007)
Articles and Reports:
- Intercity Transportation Provider Views: Are We Ready to Provide
- Getting to the Airport on Time: A Consumer-driven Study
Traveler Assistance Training:
- ON OUR WAY materials (draft versions)
- ON OUR WAY video clips (draft version)
Final materials coming soon.
Technical Assistance:
Program Evaluation
In partnership with the OIDD Office of Program Evaluation and Research, the Center on Self Determination worked with Easter Seals Project ACTION to develop a program evaluation model for Project ACTION activities. To see examples of this and other free resources, trainings, conferences, and funding opportunities for accessible transportation projects click on the link above or contact Michael McCarthy for more information on specifically about the CSD role in this program evaluation effort.
