Friday, October 22, 2010

Helpful tips for scooter and wheelchair users

October 2010 Access Transit Newsletter, from Translink

Wheelchair and Scooter Training Moves into the Community

Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) is now taking its Wheelchair and Scooter Training Program, which is generally held at the Vancouver Transit Centre, to locations throughout the Metro Vancouver region. The Program offers training sessions for seniors and persons with disabilities, in which CMBC trainers work with individuals to teach them how to maneuver wheelchairs and scooters into position on buses and how to navigate the system in general.

At a recent session near the Edmonds Community Centre in Burnaby, participants increased their confidence level in using transit. “I really didn’t think I would be able to do this,” said one woman. “Now I can get to Save-On and the cleaners by myself.” A man using a walker confided that he had always been afraid that he might be able to get on a bus, but not get off - that changed, with the Wheelchair and Scooter Training Program!

These “mobile” training sessions can be set up through TransLink’s Access Transit office. Just call 604-453-4587 to make arrangements.

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