An autistic Lavallois learned to take the bus on her own thanks to an innovative application and wants all Quebecers like her to have access to it.
“I didn’t want to take the bus first. I was afraid of getting lost,” says Sara Bergeron Joncas, 20, with autism spectrum disorder.
Previously, to get around, the student depended on the paratransit service of the Société de transport de Laval (STL), which must be reserved in advance.
But in 2019, Ms. Bergeron Joncas’ daily life was transformed by the STL Compagnon app, which taught her how to take the regular bus on her own.
Real time indications
Ms. Bergeron Joncas’ wish is that all people like them can have the chance to use this application to become more independent. “I think it might reassure them [comme moi] “, she expresses.
Similar to Google Maps, this unique service in Quebec, which comes from Germany, gives simple directions in real time to the person using it thanks to geolocation, such as ringing the bell to disembark or walk to the stop and wait for the bus.
It targets clients aged 12 and over with a mild intellectual disability, an autism spectrum disorder or a developmental language disorder.
Reassuring
Behind the scenes, an STL employee is in charge of checking whether the trip is going as planned and can help the person by calling them if necessary.
“It reassured me because it showed me the way,” says Ms. Bergeron Joncas, who now feels freer to move wherever she wants, such as to her internships and to school.
Its educator Dany Jacques-Larivière, who introduced several students to the application, thinks that it plays an important role in their feeling of belonging.
“Our students want to do like the others. We want the student to be independent and able to hold a job. It is often a barrier for those who have a difficulty, transportation. »
Ms. Bergeron Joncas took part in the trial phase of the application, which was officially launched in August 2021. Currently, around ten people can follow the program simultaneously.
Other interested cities
Some need to use the app for several months, while for others a few trips are enough.
“The project is going really well and there is a lot of interest,” says Estelle Lacroix, communications advisor at the STL. At the moment, we have a small waiting list and it’s manageable. »
For the STL, this service notably relieves paratransit congestion, which is increasingly in demand.
According to the STL, transport companies from other cities in Quebec have expressed interest in offering the application.
The Société de transport de Montréal has been offering a similar support service since 2019, but in person.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com