Widener University

Careers in the field of Travel Instruction can be found in every city, in every state in the country.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provisions mandate travel instruction as part of transition planning for students with disabilities. Yet the Graduate Certificate Program in Travel Instruction at Widener University is the only program of its kind.

Widener University is the first institution to offer a post-baccalaureate program in this growing field. Graduates of this program are prepared to become travel instructors for school districts, public transportation entities, adult services, or rehabilitation centers.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Travel Authority also endorses Widener's program in travel instruction. Warren Montague, SEPTA's Chief Operating Officer in Customized Community Transportation, said:

"For years, SEPTA has encouraged the development of independent travel skills as part of a transitional program within the school system. This program fully demonstrates and recognizes the importance of independent mobility addressed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act. We applaud Widener University and offer our good wishes to those who partake of this exciting and rewarding new career."

What is Travel Instruction?

Travel Instruction is the teaching of independent travel skills, including the use of public transportation, to persons with disabilities. It is conducted one-to-one within the community and includes the teaching of street crossing skills, problem solving, communication, and the practical application of functional academics.

Independence and mobility are the hallmarks of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA has made this a much more accessible world, but many individuals with disabilities and their families are hesitant about using these opportunities to the fullest. To achieve this objective, transportation is key.

Program Features

The Travel Instruction program is designed specifically for active people who want to make a difference by focusing on teaching individuals with disabilities to gain independence and mobility in their community. The Special Education: Travel Instruction program uses a combination of class time, field work, and one-on-one mentoring to give participants the skills, confidence and practical experience to become knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated teachers for individuals with disabilities—teachers who work in a different arena: outside the classroom.

Students will learn to:

• Work with transition-age and adult individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, helping them to learn to use public transportation independently and find their own way in the community.
• Teach practical, safety and critical thinking skills in the field, to enable individuals with disabilities to use public transportation, navigate their neighborhoods, problem -solve, and enhance and retain their independence.
• Demonstrate how to teach individuals with disabilities the complex set of skills necessary to cross streets & navigate safely
• Demonstrate, monitor and adjust individual instruction through an initial thorough and ongoing assessment of learner’s functional abilities

Program Structure and Curricular Objectives

• The program consists of 9 credits of didactic course work and 12 credits of an internship with a member of the Widener faculty.
• Students will learn to collaborate with police, transit authority, adult service agencies and school districts as a part of their field work.
• Participants will gain experience consulting with other professionals and specialists in order to develop a wholistic and inter-disciplinary program to meet the learner’s need. These include but are not limited to physical & occupational therapists, cognitive neurologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, speech and language specialists, and hearing therapists.
• Students can choose to earn a certificate in Special Education: Travel Instruction as well as a master's degree.
• Widener offers dynamic teaching and experiential learning.
• Widener inspires academic excellence; teaching students to access accurate, current knowledge of the literature in the field of Special Education.
• Participants will gain solid experience, knowledge, and skills applicable and used in public, private, rehabilitation, transit, adult services and nonprofit work environments; and
• Graduates inspire a commitment to lifelong learning in the individuals with whom they work.

The Guided Discovery Method of Instruction

The Guided Discovery Method is the core concept underpinning Widener’s Special Education: Travel Instruction program.

Our faculty believes that in order to teach individuals with disabilities to be safe and independent travelers, we must teach the ability to problem-solve. This proven method of instruction helps persons with disabilities develop confidence in order to be able to handle unexpected situations such as a detoured bus, missing one’s stop, or any travel contingency related to the trip.

Widener’s classroom experience and field experience units prepare students for successful professional careers with a combination of up to date instruction that reflects recent research findings, interaction with seasoned professionals within the field, and one-on-one supervised working experience with persons with disabilities. Participants will gain experience consulting with professionals from many different disciplines including medical, rehabilitation, education and others in order to develop an inter-disciplinary program of learning to meet the individual needs of learners with disabilities.

Widener strives to provide rich opportunities for field experience and community engagement. Field experience reinforces the importance of collaboration among students, community, police, transit agencies, and supportive educational specialists. Working with persons with disabilities from school districts, adult services, and rehabilitation centers, our students not only teach essential life skills, but employ these skills within the community, allowing for the practical application, and documentation that the skill has been learned and applied.

Is This Program For You?

Widener’s program in Travel Instruction attracts students with an independent, non-traditional and resourceful attitude. Prospective students, whether you are currently a teacher, working in the community, or just coming out of any bachelors program, this program is for you if you want to:

• Be out there! Work and collaborate with community agencies and leaders to make needed improvements in accessibility and the environment within your trainees’ neighborhoods.
• Make a practical difference! Enable your trainees to take part in employment, recreation, and educational activities rather than retreating to social isolation.
• Work outdoors in any weather condition, relish change and enjoy being physically active.
• Be responsible for visible growth in skills and self-esteem among those you teach.
• Work one-on-one with individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities within a community environment as well as the classroom.
• Expand upon your prior education and professional experiences to extend your employability skills.
• Transition from another area of teaching to Special Education.

To learn more about the masters program in Special Education: Travel Instruction, please contact:

Patricia Voorhees, M.Ed.
Director, Special Education: Travel Instruction
pjvoorhees@mail.widener.edu