Passengers on a bus learn how to go online and find out when their bus will arrive.
July is Disability Pride Month! During this month, we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law protects people with disabilities from discrimination.
We also honor and recognize the achievements of people with disabilities.
All year, we work to help people access opportunities by providing ways they can get around on their own. We also offer customized travel training programs for people who are new to our system. They can help you understand our schedule, find your route and pay your fare.
We’ll share the opportunities available for people with disabilities and older adults. We’ll also cover how we’re working to expand this program to serve public school students.
A passenger in a mobility stroller learns how to use the securement area of a Muni bus.
Travel training for people with disabilities and older adults
Our travel training resources empower seniors and people with disabilities year-round. They include personalized training on how to use Muni effectively.
Our teams can meet with you individually or in a group.
Last year, we provided this type of training to 29 people. We welcome you to participate!
In our programs for people with disabilities and older adults, you can:
- Learn your accessibility options – from bus ramps to stop request buttons
- Understand how to pay your fare
- Find the best route for your trip
To request a training, contact the Mobility Management Center by:
- Online form: Complete the Mobility Management Center feedback form.
- Availability: We will respond within 3 business days.
- Availability: We will respond within 3 business days.
- Email: MobilityOptions@SFMTA.com
- Phone: 415.351.7053 / TTY: 415.351.3942 / Fax: 415.351.3134
- Availability: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed on major holidays.
- Availability: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed on major holidays.
- Mail: Mobility Management Center, 68 12th Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94103-1297
A student and a teacher learn how to request a stop on a bus.
Travel training for students – from special event to permanent program
We're working to offer a similar version of our travel training to students! Talk to older San Franciscans, and they will tell you that Muni staff used to come to their schools and talk to them about how to ride the bus.
We recently revitalized this program for a select group of students with disabilities. Our Accessible Services Division and SF Paratransit Mobility Management Office partnered with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) on a special training. It took place in May at Francis Scott Key Elementary School. At the event, students with disabilities got to learn all about Muni.
Thanks to our Woods Division, we were able to provide students with a bus and a very helpful operator. They reviewed how to ride Muni and all the features we provide to make our buses accessible to everyone.
Then, students got to practice using our wheelchair ramp and securement areas. They also got to practice using our kneeler, which lowers the bus closer to the sidewalk so that it is easier to step on and off of.
Everyone had a blast – especially when the operator announced that we were going to take a trip around the block. For many, this was their first trip on Muni. The students were hooked.
A thank-you note from students who participated in a Muni travel training.
After the event, SFUSD shared with us that many participants were able to put what they learned into immediate use. One student took Muni the very next day all by herself to a local café.
Another used the bus to go to an appointment. At the same time, they completed one of the goals they set out for themselves at the start of the year – riding Muni by themselves!
This summer, we plan to expand our school travel training program. Accessible Services is working with our equity engagement coordinator. Together, we're partnering to provide trainings for elementary and early middle school students.
In the fall, we plan to work with SFUSD to host more events like the one in May. Our goal: introduce a whole new generation to Muni.
Keep an eye out for these events! We'll promote them on our blog.
And this Disability Pride Month, take some pride in our work to ensure everyone can ride Muni!