This research study is called: “Comparing Peer Support and Staff-Delivered Transportation Interventions for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) on Loneliness, Social Participation, and Transportation Skills”. That is a long title! To make it shorter, we call this research study the “Ready to Ride.” That is because our question is about the “Ready to Ride” travel training program. This study is funded by PCORI.
What is the Ready to Ride Travel Training Program?
Ready to Ride is an 8-week intervention that teaches young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities how to use public transportation safely and independently. In the first 3-4 weeks, young adults learn how to stay safe, how to talk with people in the community, how to plan a trip, and what to do when something unexpected happens. Then, young adults practice using public transportation with help from the Ready to Ride provider (peer supporter or staff) for 4-5 weeks until they can take trips on their own.
What is the research about, and why is it important?
Public transportation can help people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) get to places and take part in activities they need or want to do. Even though travel training is often provided by Vocational Rehabilitation and independent living programs, many young adults with disabilities do not learn how to use public transportation. Some people believe that young adults with disabilities can’t learn to use public transportation safely. However, there are young adults with disabilities who use public transportation independently and safely. These young adults can be ‘peer’ role models, and show other young adults with disabilities how to use public transportation on their own. This helps more young adults with disabilities to learn to use public transportation and do activities that support their health and participation in the community.
What are the goals of this research study?
This project will find out if Ready to Ride has the same benefits for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities when provided in a standard way and when provided through peer support. This project will also learn about what helps or makes it hard for community service organizations to provide Ready to Ride.
What do we think will change because of Ready to Ride?
- Main outcomes: loneliness, satisfaction with social activities, and travel skills.
- Secondary outcomes: social connectedness, employment, use of health services, and quality of life.
Who will be included in this study?
Eight community service organizations in the states of Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire will deliver Ready to Ride and share what they learn through the process.
Across these eight community service organizations, we will include 325 young adults ages 18-27 who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and who receive services through the organizations.
What will happen in this study?
After providing permission to participate in the study, young adults will be randomly assigned to complete using one of two approaches: 1) Ready to Ride or 2) Ready to Ride through Peer Support. This will be done through a process called randomization. Before starting, young adults will complete surveys about their health and participation. Their travel skills will also be evaluated. Then, they will complete Ready to Ride with the assigned approach. After the training is finished, they will answer the same surveys and complete the travel skill evaluation again. They will also share what they liked and didn’t like about the training. Four months later, young adults will complete the surveys again
Who will use the information from this study?
Young adults with IDD, their families, and community service organizations can use this information to pick the best way to provide Ready to Ride. Agencies that pay for services could also use the information to decide what types of travel training to provide in their state.
Who are partners in this research study?
Researchers at four universities are working together to run this study: Temple University (PA), University of Florida, University if New Hampshire, and University of Minnesota. We also have a Steering Committee. Our Steering Committee includes 6 young adults with lived experience, 2 parents, and 1 travel training provider who meet every other week. The Steering Committee is co-led by an experienced peer supporter and autistic researcher. The Steering Committee will make sure the research materials and procedures are accessible. Finally, we have a national advisory board of transportation, disability, and advocacy experts. Together, they make sure our study is feasible and will produce evidence that can be used by other states and organizations across the US.
Funding Information
This study is funded by the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) IDD-2024C1-37368
Check Out the Study Socials and Linktree!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580976524525
Instagram: @ready2ride_study
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ready2ride-study/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/r2ride