Empowering Independence: Shamarke's Travel Training Adventure to Panera
ECNV's travel trainer, Margarita, recently (3/25/24) accompanied Shamarke to Panera Bread in Alexandria to get lunch via metro bus and back to Springfield metro. During the journey, Shamarke successfully learned to use the Smart Trip card independently.
A triptych collage of Shamarke at Panera Bread.
More Travel Training with the Arc of Northern Virginia
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, ECNV travel trainers Andrew Shaw and Hunter Cardwell led a group of persons with disabilities from the Arc of Northern VA on a travel training trip from Ashburn to Tysons metro. There were 30 attendees.
Collage: Travel trainer Andrew Shaw explains the basics of travel training; a look inside a metro car while in transit; meeting at the Ashburn station; travel trainer Andrew Shaw explains how to enter and exit a metro station.
Travel training can help transport you to a galaxy (gallery) far far away…
On Friday, March 1, 2024, ECNV Travel Trainer Andrew helped Pete S. take the metro to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Image: Pete and ECNV Travel Trainer, Andrew Shaw (right) posing for a photo with iconic droids, C-3PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars movies at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
ECNV and the Arc Travel Train in Loudoun
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, travel trainer Andrew meets with a group from The Arc of Loudoun to use the Loudoun Transit bus to One Loudoun.
Collage: ECNV Travel Trainer Andrew Shaw explains to a group from the Arc of Loudoun how to read a metro bus schedule map, at an indoor bus stop; The Arc travel training group waiting for a bus; Andrew, center, posing with the travel trainees from the Arc of Loudoun.
Travel Trainer, Andrew Shaw and Pete S. Featured in Incl(US)ion Adventures, February 2024 Newsletter
ECNV Travel Andrew Shaw and Pete S. were featured in the February 2024 Newsletter.
Andrew Shaw from the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia and Pete discussing travel training.
Connecting with Students at Mason Life
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, ECNV Training & Mobility Manager Andrew Shaw spoke to Mason Life students at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He presented to students from all grades, from freshmen to seniors about travel training.
ECNV Training & Mobility Manager Andrew Shaw presents to college students from the Mason Life Program at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Travel Training
During the week of 12/18/23, the ECNV travel trainer took some photos of Nathaniel Thomas, who participated in the travel training, they went to Tysons Corner to buy Starbucks.
Collage: ECNV travel training consumer Nathaniel Thomas sitting int front of a Christmas tree in an outdoor setting; Nathaniel Thomas sitting in a booth with a cup of coffee.
Wings for All!
On Saturday, October 28, 2023, ECNV Travel Trainer Hunter Cardwell, and Outreach Coordinator Pansy Walker, attended the Wings for All event sponsored by Arc of Northern VA. This event , which took place at the Reagan National Airport, gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies with ease by providing an airport rehearsal as well as a presentation on the aircraft and in-flight safety protocols.
Collage: “Wings for All” check-in sign; Pansy Walker and Hunter Cardwell at ECNV’s outreach table at the Wings for All event.
Adventures in Loudoun
In the late summer, Andrew Shaw provided instruction to Liza Unverzagt in how to successfully use the bus in Loudoun County to areas such as Downtown Leesburg, One Loudoun, and finally the Metrorail that had opened in Ashburn and how to use it.
Image: Caucasian woman with a blonde ponytail and glasses smiling while on a Loudoun County bus lift outside the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg.
Back to School: Freedom to Travel the Metro
Are you tired of being tied to Metro Access where you have to make appointments and wait for your ride? Did you know that with a little orientation and training, you can make decisions about where you want to go and when you want to go by checking the schedule for the next bus or metro? ECNV’s Travel Training program for people with disabilities continues to grow!
An inside look at an empty metro car, newer model.
ECNV Provides Disability Training for CUE Bus Drivers
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia was invited by Fairfax City CUE to provide a training on Disability Etiquette on Saturday June 3rd.
A collage of the panel of presenters from the CUE bus disability training event; CUE bus drivers and finally, a group photo of the panelists, Janeek Prince, Pete Scampavia, and ECNV’s Information and Referral Specialist Heather Sailes, and Andrew Shaw, who also attended.
Walter Reed Event
On Thursday, February 2, 2023, Andrew Shaw presented to a group of approximately 20 attendees at the Walter Reed Senior Day Center about travel training and explained various transportation options such as fixed route, Metro Access and Arlington STAR.
Is Travel Training for Me?
The short answer is “Yes”. ECNV’s Travel Training program is back and we are out and about in person.
Angela Taylor, an African–American woman learning how to ride her local DASH bus in her community.
ECNV In-Person Travel Training Program to Resumes in July
Summer’s here and it’s time to get moving! In partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) also commonly referred to as “Metro,” ECNV will resume in-person travel training starting in July.
Andrew Shaw and Janeek Prince elbow bump and demonstrating proper social distance greetings.