‘All of their riders are listening to you’ | Kids with autism voicing announcements on Metro buses, trains all month long

Children with autism will voice important announcements over the PA system on all Metro trains and buses.

SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Metro is giving young bus and train riders with autism a chance to be a part of the transit experience. For the second year in a row, kids will deliver important PA announcements all month long. Metro is teaming up with the Transit Autism Project as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month.

“All of their riders are listening to you, and they are creating a space where you can participate fully in civic life and be heard,” said Jonathan Trichter, founder of the Autism Transit Project.

On Wednesday, around 40 children with autism gathered to tour a train, and bus and ask questions to Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke.

“We have children that have made announcements, like the PSA stuff. Watch the doors, thank you for riding Metro, that kind of thing,” said Clarke. “It gives them a chance with their family to hear them.”

Max Reisenberg’s voice is featured for the second year in a row and his mom couldn’t be happier.

“Shifting away from just awareness, knowing about it, to being welcoming and accepting of neurodiversity and neurodivergence in particular,” said Jen Dryer, Max’s mother.

“Yeah, we move people, but we’re also moving people emotionally and our brand is important, what we do to help this community is important,” said Clarke. “That’s why we have a responsibility to be really a good system. I’m proud of days like today, it really feels good.”

Credits
By John Doran
WUSA, Washington DC | April 10, 2024

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