Purpose and Benefits?
Travel training interventions may improve community participation for individuals with ASD, which can increase quality of life, self-determination, and health outcomes.  
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Amber at a final destination with participants.
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Travel Training Curriculum

The Kennedy Center, Inc. with funding from Autism Speaks developed A Chance to Ride in 1991.  Since then, 3500 individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey have completed the training program. 
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What is Peer Support? 

Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other.[1]  Peer support is a key component of the independent living movement and has been widely used by organizations that work with people with disabilities. (Wikipedia 2019).  
Read more on Peer Support  
Challenges
Transportation is a significant barrier for many people with ASD to access important activities in the community. Driving is not always a viable option. When family and caregivers are not available to provide rides, they are often left to use paratransit services, which can be costly and inconvenient. 
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​Hear from a parent re: the importance of our work: ​

Peer Interventionists

We currently have 2 Peer Interventionists who provide the A Chance to Ride curriculum instruction and the 1:1 travel training experiences. ​
​Read more about our Peer Interventionists
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Luke (far right) waiting for the train with several participants.

Funding

This project and the contents of this website are funded under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90IFRE001301).  NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
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Support 

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The Kennedy Center strives to offer programs and services across the age spectrum to individuals with unique talents, interests and goals. Our programs and service models are based on current research, trends and literature in the field, as well as feedback and input from our stakeholders.
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Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers a vast option of transit services, including buses, trolleys, trackless trolleys, subways, and Regional Rail (our commuter rail).

Accessible Travel Center (215-580-3335)
As part of SEPTA's focus on customer service and customer travel amenity programs, SEPTA's new Accessible Travel Center provides seniors and persons with disabilities, both individuals and groups, with the opportunity to learn about SEPTA fixed route service and how to ride the system.