Technology to Support Transportation Needs Assessment, Training, and Pre-trip Planning by People with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Limited access to affordable, reliable, and integrated transportation options limits participation by people with developmental disabilities in virtually every aspect of day-to-day life, from employment to health care to participation in religious life. Transportation is often unavailable, too expensive, or too limited. Often, people with intellectual disability rely on friends and family to get where they want and need to go. Fixed-route bus systems are the most frequent options for public transportation, but can be complex to use. Technology can provide options to decrease barriers to using fixed-route bus systems. This paper was to examine the utility of technology tools called the Smart Travel Concierge System (STCS) that support pre-trip assessment, training, and planning activities to support people with intellectual disability to travel using fixed route public transportation more independently. This paper reports two pilot studies conducted with elements of the STCS providing pre-trip assessment and trip planning technology supports. Participants for both studies were people with intellectual disability. The pilot evaluation of the prototype of the STCS involved pre- and post-test evaluations of transportation support needs assessment, training, and pre-trip planning to use a fixed-route bus system using either paper/pencil or technology supports. Pilot field studies established the potential utility of these technology tools to enable people with intellectual disability to plan and prepare for trips using fixed-route bus systems. Technology supports like the STCS have potential to enable people with intellectual disability to use fixed-route bus systems and have greater access to their communities.