ECNV Provides Disability Training for CUE Bus Drivers

Originally Published in July 2023, ECNV Newsletter

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By Andrew Shaw, Program and Training Coordinator and Heather Sailes, Information and Referral

The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia was invited by Fairfax City CUE to provide a training on Disability Etiquette on Saturday June 3rd. ECNV Travel Training Program Coordinator Andrew Shaw provided a presentation and discussion on disability etiquette for bus drivers, followed by a panel discussion with 3 individuals with different disabilities for a back and for question and answer with the drivers. The panelists were Janeek Prince, Pete Scampavia, and ECNV’s Information and Referral Specialist Heather Sailes. 

Heather had the following to say about the event:

“On Saturday, June 3, I participated on a panel as a staff member of the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia which was organized by CUE Bus.  The purpose of the panel was to help the CUE Bus drivers improve interactions with individuals who have disabilities.  For instance, during the training, Andrew Shaw, ECNV’s coordinator of the travel training program reiterated that bus drivers should not touch mobility equipment used by individuals with disabilities such as wheelchairs or scooters without the individual’s permission because they are an extension of the person.”

“In addition, Andrew Shaw discussed the importance of trying to deescalate tense situations where someone may be extremely upset concerning issues in their lives by using ‘I’ statements such as ‘I understand you are upset.’ Additionally, Andrew Shaw suggested CUE buses have brochures with local emergency resources such as the Community Services Board, the suicide hotline, and domestic violence hotlines, and other crisis resources for passengers who could benefit from having that information available on a bus.”

“Also, during each shift of the panel, I and the other participants got the opportunity to ask questions of the drivers.  For example, one of the questions I asked was did CUE Bus have accessible schedules that I would be able to read with a screen reader.  The drivers also asked questions during each shift of the panel such as what they should do if someone in a wheelchair or scooter refused to be strapped down for safety reasons.  All in all, I was happy to participate on the panel.”

ECNV was thrilled to be invited to work directly with bus drivers. In addition, Heather’s question about the accessibility of bus schedules for screen readers provided an opportunity for ECNV to provide ongoing technical assistance to ensure the CUE bus schedules available online are accessible for screen readers.

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