Safety First! Staying Safe While Training Welcome & Introductions

Deané Rosen . Manager, Mobility Management . Regional Transportation Authority

Nathan Graeff . Regional Manager, Travel Training . MTM, Inc. Why Discuss Trainer & Trainee Safety?

. Keep trainees & travel trainers safe . Help ease trainees’ apprehensions . Educate parents, guardians & care takers . Good agency practice to have safety policies & procedures in place Assessing for Training Readiness

Pre‐training assessment: . Understanding individual’s abilities & disabilities . Understanding individual’s family/social support . Understanding how the neighborhood effects safety . Understanding barriers to travel . Understanding the individual’s safety & transit skills Trainee Skills

SAFETY SKILLS TRANSIT SKILLS  Awareness of personal space  Tell & keep time  Understanding of basic orientation  Read a bus map or schedule concepts & landmark recognition  Locate & navigate to bus stop  Ability to recognize & respond to  Recognize bus numbers dangerous situations  Pay fare  Ability to communicate & engage in  Board & alight bus acceptable social behavior  Recognize landmarks  Knowledge of his/her mobility aide  Ability to ask questions  Street crossing safety  Understanding of rules/laws  Emergency skills  Remember & implement a backup plan Additional Considerations

Client History Information . Are there areas of the city or . If trainee has mental health routes a trainee should avoid concerns, know the best way due to previous issues? to react to them . Does the trainee have a . Due to the nature of their behavior plan in place? disability, may need to avoid • Does that carry over to overcrowded places community activities? . If medical & medication information is collected, consider if it effects independent travel Home Visit Safety

Procedures Initial Meeting . Share your calendar with . Wear identification–use colleagues or supervisors breakaway clasp/retractable clip . Include as much information as . Ask permission before entering possible in your calendar: . Practice professional boundaries address, route, trainee’s info, . Identify exits, additional people, emergency contact, arrival time animals & suspicious activity . If you have concerns, text or call a . Sit as close to exits as possible colleague or supervisor when arriving & departing . If you feel threatened or unsafe, reschedule at a different location . Ask ahead about animals, how to or take a colleague to next visit enter home, callbox number, etc. Community Safety

. Schedule assessments & trainings before dusk . Driving to appointments may be acceptable . Complete a Route & Scout before first training • Google Streetview can be helpful . Familiarize yourself with the fixed route system & neighborhood . If area presents , consider alternate locations & routes Community Safety

. Identify businesses/high traffic areas to go if you feel unsafe . Practice how to handle emergencies with your trainee . Always have emergency contact information for you & your trainee . Be aware of your surroundings . Wait at well‐lit areas near businesses or high traffic areas Community Safety

. Walk an extra block to avoid questionable areas . At night, wear visible/reflective clothing . Appear confident & avoid distractions . Avoid using tablets, mp3 players & smartphones • Headphones signify electronic device & can be distracting . Keep one hand on your bag & other belongings . Leave expensive bags, jewelry & watches at home . Chances of theft are higher when sitting near exits Community Safety

. Check weather & dress appropriately . Discuss what your trainee should do if you get separated . Separate & pre‐count money or have fare card accessible . Never carry wallet in back pocket or accessible bag pocket . Check if there’s money left on fare card • When adding money, use credit card or small bills . Discourage trainees from having multiple bags Creating a Backup Plan: Planning Steps

. Provide trainees with lanyard, holder, or laminated cards that include route, contact numbers & question cards . Identify safe places & safe people where trainees can ask for assistance . Practice what information to share & how to ask for help from a trusted person . If possible, take pictures of each trainee to keep on file Creating a Backup Plan: Resolution

. Was trainee able to identify the problem & fix it? . Know your agency’s policy or steps on how to handle a similar situation

Retrace Call primary Call client route contact

Call Notify Notify emergency transit authorities contact personnel Street Crossing Statistics Street Crossing Safety: Instruction

. Have trainee recognize . It’s not just streets: be crosswalk symbols & signs careful at railroad crossings, . Demonstrate proper driveways, alleys & garages method of crossing streets . Plan for “what if” scenarios . Always stop before like construction, lack of stepping into crosswalk sidewalk & power outage . Remind trainees to make . Texting & browsing the eye contact with drivers internet while walking don’t mix Street Crossing Safety: Observation

. Have the trainee demonstrate safe street crossing after you have worked with them . “Arm’s reach” principal . Observe from afar while fading back/out to confirm their knowledge & awareness Stranger Danger: Instruction

. Clear definition of what is right & wrong . Keep personal conversations to a minimum . What is socially acceptable? . Talk about personal space • What to do if someone invades it . Explain importance of keeping personal information safe . Scenarios of how trainee might be approached by a stranger . Point out safe places & routes Stranger Danger: Observation

. During fade back/ out phase, observe interactions they have with others . Stranger Danger test Safety on Public Transit

. “If you see something, say something” . Alert driver/conductor if threatened . Point out safety features • Exits, fire extinguishers, emergency call boxes, evacuation signs, intercom buttons, security cameras, etc. . Know your transit system’s emergency procedures • Attend a training to familiarize yourself with emergency evacuations or preparedness . Keep personal belongings close & safe Safety on Public Transit

. Remain alert & aware of your surroundings & other passengers . Educate trainees on proper boarding method • Alighting passengers first . Avoid adding money to fare card on buses, streetcars, or other moving fare box locations . Encourage trainee to sit towards the front of the bus or in the first train car . Discuss the difference between a problem & emergency Bus & Streetcar Safety

. Wait for bus or streetcar to pull away before crossing the street . Point out landmarks & safe places/businesses along the route . Discuss how trainee can move to front of the vehicle if bothered . Demonstrate how to ask the driver or operator for assistance Rail Safety

. Point out where maps, schedules & information booths are located . Avoid empty cars, especially after dusk . Discuss what to do in an evacuation at tunnel, bridge, platform, etc. . Demonstrate how to ask the station manager or supervisor for assistance . Identify possible safety concerns such as escalators, edge of platform, crowded walkways, train tracks, etc. Travel Training Process

. Have you observed the trainee demonstrating the task successfully at least twice? • Street crossing • Interaction with strangers • Awareness of surroundings • Money management • Responsibility with personal belongings • Asking for assistance . Does your agency have a safety checklist? Completing Travel Training

Documentation Determination . If you didn’t document it, it never . Travel training isn’t for everyone; happened don’t cut corners just to graduate . Assessment, consent form, . Give the trainee & their daily/weekly progress notes, caregivers specific goals to work completion form, etc. on if they did not successfully complete travel training & re‐ assess them at a later date . If successful, provide a letter or document to caregivers explaining topics discussed, skills demonstrated, route details, etc. Unexpected Situations

. We can’t prepare for every scenario . Who to contact for assistance or during an emergency . The difference between an emergency & needing help . Emergency information & directions on public transit vehicles . How to recognize what is safe & unsafe . How to safely remove themselves from unsafe situations Unexpected Situations

. Be aware of trainee’s level of ability • Are they able to contact someone? • Can they remove themselves if there is a danger? . Do not expect them to do something you have never taught them about . Remember that in stressful situations everyone reacts differently Unexpected Situations

. Know your trainee’s emergency information • Emergency contact information • Illnesses, limitations, important medications, etc. • Allergies to foods & medications • Their route (you can narrow down where they may be) . Practice, practice, practice! • Repetition is the best way to make sure something is learned • Go over the plan with them until it is second nature Professional Liability

. Pre‐Training Consent Form • Trainee/legal guardian understand trainee could become separated from trainer, personal property could be damaged or lost, or an /crime could happen . Do not give advice outside of travel training scope . Complete incident reports & submit to legal . If an individual decided to file a liability claim, legal department would handle from there Agency Checklist: Possible Policy Topics

. Check‐in during home visits & trainings • Shared calendars, call/text at arrival/departure, buddy system . Carrying & using protective devices . Response plan if trainer is late or does not respond . Establish procedures for how to report home safety issues—Mandated Reporters • Neglect, unsafe living conditions, abuse, caregiver concerns, animal welfare, etc. . Procedures on following behavior plans Standard Operating Procedures

. Referral: Where do you get your referrals? Do you need permission? . Assessment: Do you use consent, application, or assessment forms? . Training: Are trainees progressing? Is there documentation? . Graduation: How do you know a trainee is ready to graduate? . Follow‐Up: Does the trainee continue to use public transit? . Emergency Response: What happens if a trainee doesn’t show up at their meeting point? . Trainee Confidentiality: Are you covered under HIPAA? Example Scenario

Ricardo attends a day program for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities. His case manager contacted your agency for travel training to help him use public transportation instead of the program van. Ricardo is excited to learn but his house manager is concerned because he has been known to have poor decision making skills & safety awareness. His house manager disagrees with him being trained & tells you, “You’re the one who will be at fault if he gets hurt.” Example Scenario

. How do you assess if Ricardo has safe decision making skills? . After a few trainings, it’s time for Ricardo to travel part of the route by himself. Unfortunately he gets lost & has his phone stolen after walking through a rough area. The house manager says you’re to blame & wants money for the phone. How would you handle this? Questions?

For more information, contact:

Deané Rosen Nathan Graeff Manager, Mobility Regional Manager, Travel Management, RTA Training, MTM 312‐913‐3197 202‐495‐1717 [email protected] ngraeff@mtm‐inc.net