TOLEDO, Ohio — Transit service is vital to the community. Close to 2 million riders used the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority's services last year, according to TARTA officials.
That's a lot of rides that Marketing and Communications Manager Andy Cole said need to be more comfortable for everyone, including those with autism.
Because of this, TARTA is making sure all 275 staff undergo autism-specific courses to offer more accommodating services.
"What to look for in terms of sensory sensitive passengers and how they can help," Cole said describing the training.
Most of the TARTA paratransit division (TARPS) staff is currently trained, and Cole said everyone at TARTA will be soon.
TARPS is the first transit agency department in Ohio to become a Certified Autism Center.
The paratransit division is one of several places in the area to receive this certification.
"Everyone should feel confident when planning travel or planning to visit somewhere that their needs will be met," Destination Toledo CEO Lance Woodworth said.
Destination Toledo is spearheading the effort to make Toledo a Certified Autism Destination by working with not only TARTA, but also with 20 other destinations and organizations, like the airport, Glass City Center and Huntington Center.
"When our sales team is out and meeting with these event planners, it's one more thing we can say 'hey, we're going to pay a little closer attention to any extra needs that you may have when you come visit us,'" Woodworth said.
One of the ways Destination Toledo helps is by having interactive 360-degree maps of different travel destinations on its website as a way to make anyone planning a visit more aware of what to expect.
Cole said for TARTA, this first-of-its-kind credential is just the beginning.
"This isn't the last you're going to hear from us in this regard," Cole said. "We were really making an effort to make everybody feel welcome on the bus."
Woodworth said Destination Toledo is committed to making the area more inclusive. Last year, it helped Toledo Express Airport become the first airport to be a Certified Autism Center in the country.
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