Automotive & Transportation
Alabama's 'Conquering Their Independence' Program Empowers Neurological Disability Adults to Use Public Transit
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Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 23:46 GMT by WMBF News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Summarizing WMBF News’ December 20, 2025 Coverage of the “Conquering Their Independence” Public‑Transportation Training Program for Adults with Neurological Disabilities
On December 20, 2025, WMBF News reported on a pioneering initiative in the Birmingham area that is changing the way adults with neurological disabilities navigate public transportation. The “Conquering Their Independence” program, launched by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Rehabilitation Sciences, offers a comprehensive, hands‑on curriculum designed to teach participants safe, efficient, and confident use of buses, subways, and regional transit.
Why the Program Matters
Adults with neurological disorders—such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke—often face significant barriers to independent travel. Mobility impairments, cognitive challenges, and unpredictable fatigue can make even a simple bus ride intimidating. In Alabama, studies estimate that roughly 25 % of individuals with neurological conditions report difficulty using public transit. WMBF News highlighted that conventional transportation training—typically a single one‑on‑one session—rarely addresses the complex, real‑world scenarios these adults encounter.
“Public transportation is a lifeline for many of our clients,” said Dr. Lisa Martinez, a senior rehabilitation psychologist at UAB who consults on the program. “When they can ride confidently, they gain access to work, medical appointments, and community activities that would otherwise be out of reach.”
Program Design and Curriculum
The program blends classroom instruction with supervised, in‑vehicle practice. It runs for eight weeks, with two 90‑minute sessions each week, for a total of 24 hours of training. The curriculum is built around the “Four Pillars of Transit Independence” developed by the National Association of State Directors of Rehabilitation (NASDR):
- Navigation Skills – Understanding transit maps, schedules, and fare systems.
- Safety Protocols – Identifying safe boarding spots, staying alert to hazards, and recognizing emergency procedures.
- Communication Techniques – Effectively interacting with drivers, transit staff, and other passengers.
- Self‑Advocacy – Requesting accommodations such as priority seating or assistive devices, and navigating the Department of Transportation’s accessibility requirements.
Hands‑on components include mock boardings at a local bus depot, simulated fare‑card purchases, and “real‑world” rides on the Birmingham Regional Transit System (BRTS) under the supervision of a certified instructor and a peer mentor. The program also offers adaptive technology training, such as using voice‑controlled navigation apps and wearable alert devices.
The training is delivered by a multidisciplinary team: rehabilitation counselors, occupational therapists, certified transit instructors, and volunteers from the Birmingham Area Rehabilitation Center. Each participant receives a personalized learning plan that takes into account their specific neurological profile and mobility level.
Partnerships and Funding
The initiative is funded by a combination of state and federal grants. The DRS secured a $500,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), while the UAB School of Rehabilitation Sciences contributed $200,000 in in‑house resources. Additional support comes from the Birmingham City Council, which has pledged to provide discounted fare‑cards to graduates of the program.
WMBF News noted that the partnership model has attracted attention from neighboring states. “This is a replicable model,” said UAB’s Dean of Rehabilitation Sciences, Dr. Aaron Patel. “We’re already in talks with the Georgia Department of Human Services and the Texas Office of Rehabilitation to license our curriculum.”
Participant Stories
Megan Ellis, 47, Multiple Sclerosis
Megan enrolled in the program after her family insisted she needed help mastering the local bus system. “Before, I’d wait at the curb for hours, fearing I’d miss the bus,” she said. “The hands‑on practice changed everything. I can now plan my route, purchase my fare, and feel safe even on a crowded bus.” She credits the peer mentor, a fellow multiple sclerosis patient, for providing emotional support throughout the training.
Carlos Ruiz, 38, Post‑Stroke
Carlos’s stroke left him with hemiparesis and mild aphasia. He used to avoid public transport altogether. “I was scared to ask for help,” Carlos admitted. “The program taught me how to communicate my needs clearly, and the instructor helped me adapt my walking aid for the bus.” He now commutes to his part‑time job in the tech industry and participates in a local community choir.
Sarah O’Connor, 55, Parkinson’s Disease
Sarah’s tremors make it difficult to read bus schedules. “The instructors used a large‑font timetable and a voice‑activated app,” she explained. “Now I can check my bus times at home and even have a text reminder that’s synced to my phone.” She reports that her confidence has risen to the point where she’s planning a weekend trip to the Gulf Coast with her friends.
Outcomes and Impact
A preliminary evaluation, presented to the WMBF News editorial board, indicates promising results. Among 75 participants who completed the eight‑week curriculum:
- 80 % reported improved confidence in using public transit.
- 70 % achieved full independence (no assistance) during the final assessment ride.
- 65 % cited increased social engagement or employment as a direct benefit.
- 85 % continued to use public transit at least once a week after program completion.
The program’s success has prompted a pilot expansion to cover the Mobile‑Birmingham Regional Transit Network, with plans to launch a mobile app that streams real‑time training modules.
Community and Expert Reactions
The program has garnered praise from community leaders and experts in neurorehabilitation. Birmingham City Council President, Maya Harris, called it “a vital step toward inclusive mobility.” The Alabama Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Officer, Brian Thompson, praised the program for addressing “a gap that many people with disabilities have felt for too long.”
Experts also noted the importance of sustainability. “If we want lasting change, funding and policy support must continue,” remarked Dr. Martinez. “The Department of Transportation should integrate this curriculum into its accessibility standards, ensuring that every rider with a disability can ride safely and independently.”
Looking Ahead
WMBF News reported that the program will undergo a formal cost‑effectiveness analysis over the next year, to demonstrate savings for both participants and the transit system. Potential benefits include reduced fare‑card usage by a single user (as the participant becomes an independent rider), fewer assistance calls, and improved rider satisfaction scores.
Moreover, the program’s success has spurred interest in integrating other forms of mobility, such as rideshare services and paratransit, into the curriculum. Plans for a “Mobile‑On‑Demand” component—teaching participants how to use services like Uber or Lyft with accessibility features—are already in the early planning stages.
Conclusion
The “Conquering Their Independence” program represents a significant advancement in mobility services for adults with neurological disabilities. By combining targeted curriculum, hands‑on experience, and strong public‑private partnerships, it equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to navigate public transportation safely. WMBF News’ coverage not only shines a light on the program’s immediate successes but also highlights its potential as a scalable model that could redefine mobility for people with disabilities across the United States.
Read the Full WMBF News Article at:
[ https://www.wmbfnews.com/2025/12/20/conquering-their-independence-new-program-teaches-public-transportation-skills-adults-with-neurological-disabilities/ ]
