Some organisations help adults with learning disabilities and autism access places they love to visit independently via walking or public transport on individual journeys.
The training continues until the student can confidently make that journey independently. Most training is offered as a structured programme catered to suit students’ needs and includes small group sessions on keeping safe whilst travelling and the practical aspects of the journey.
Students are provided with intensive support and progress from being accompanied on their journey to being shadowed by staff from a distance.
Eventually, the trainee progresses to undertaking the entire journey independently.
Travel training includes theory and practical sessions on:
- Confidence in public transport, buying tickets, timetables and bus/tube maps.
- Being a confident pedestrian in London
- Awareness and understanding of road safety
- Learning and practising individual steps in a journey
- Recognising signage
- What to do when things go wrong (e.g. late/strikes)
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What is Travel Training?
Travel Training aims to support young people with additional needs to gain the confidence to travel confidently to their educational settings, work experience placement or employment.
Travel Training is a process that requires planning, logical steps, and the inclusion of the individual and their families, allowing them to take responsibility for their journey towards independent travel.
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Why is Travel Training so important?
Travelling independently is an essential part of a young person’s development and will benefit them in many ways in the future!
- Gaining confidence and competence
- Gives them more freedom to socialise with friends
- Less reliant on specialist transport – or parent/carers
- Have access to a greater range of college courses
- Have a better chance of finding and maintaining employment
- Feel safer in the community
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What will they gain from the training?
- Road safety and personal safety skills
- How to cope under pressure and overcome challenges
- Responsibility and time management skills
- Confidence and competence
- A certificate of achievement for completing the programme