MBTA Expands Educational Program for Seniors, People with Disabilities

By Bret Silverberg

Senior citizens and people with disabilities now have a chance to learn just how accessible the T, MBTA buses, and other fixed route services can be to them.

The MBTA announced a partnership with Somerville based nonprofit Door2Door Transportation in an effort to form Ways2Go, a consortium of seminars and other informational sessions to help seniors and people living with disabilities learn more about riding the T with ease, according to a joint press statement.

The MBTA has two commuter rail stations, Wedgemere and Winchester Center, in Winchester. Bus 134 also provides service to Winchester.

The following is taken from the press statement:

In January of 2013, the MBTA’s Department of System Wide Accessibility introduced System Orientation Training, an introductory seminar for persons with disabilities interested in making use of the T’s vast array of accessible fixed route buses and subway lines. Participants in System Orientation get an overview of trip planning and hands on practice using maps, schedules and boarding buses. They also get a tour of subway and bus facilities and learn about the safety features available in stations and on vehicles. By all accounts, the program has filled a much needed information gap. 

At the same time, Door2Door’s Ways2Go program has been developing more detailed curricula to meet the needs of those who require more intensive assistance in order to master fixed route travel. With the new partnership, Ways2Go travel training will be available to anyone who would like additional instruction after completing System Orientation Training.

“I strongly believe there are many T customers in waiting,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott. “All we need to do to is demonstrate how easy it is to use our system of subway trains and buses. A lot of people do not know that the T is so accessible and quite easy to use once you get the hang of it.”

Those interested in the program’s services can call 617-222-5273 or email HowToTravel@mbta.com.