DISC Launch Event: Pioneering Digital Education
Cooking Up Success: DISC’s Neurodivergent Interns Shine in the Kitchen
Written by Renardo Jones, Lead Studio Support & Intervention.
At the start of the academic year, DISC provided its new Interns with the travel training needed to get them comfortable accessing the public transportation hubs nearby to get back and forth to the college Independently. One Intern who feels like they benefited from this experience is Josh Whiteside.
When reflecting on the experience, he stated:
At the start of the year, my tutor Renardo brought me back and forth from Victoria station’s Tram stop, so my parents could meet me at the other side & vice-versa. And now, due to the traveling training, I’ve benefited from being able to go to Victoria Tram stop, or Shudehill on my own.
I feel more confident using public transport now, due to being able to look up at the signs at Tram stop signs which tell you when the next tram is coming, or whether it’s delayed or not because if it is it’ll say it at the bottom, like ‘there are problems with a Tram fault, on the Piccadilly or Altrincham line, or the Tram that goes to Heaton Park as well. If that’s the case, I just have to keep waiting and waiting while the delay time is going up or down, because I know it’ll eventually arrive.
If I’m at DISC and the train does get cancelled, a member of staff from DISC will let me know, and I’m then able to let my family know.
The travel training enabled me to come up with coping strategies to deal with any sensory issues I experience while using the Tram. For instance, if a tram arrives at the tram stop, and I feel like it’s too packed, I’ll let it go, then wait for the next tram to come along, which will hopefully be emptier. I also find listening to music while on the tram to be very helpful.
Another Intern who took part in the travel training was Quinn Day, who also shared their views on it:
The travel training really improved my confidence, giving me a chance to familiarise myself with all the busy stations I’ve never been to before. I gained a lot of confidence from the training, because before that I wasn’t completely sure what to do when travelling on public transport, so the travel training provided by DISC really helped build my courage.
The experiences shared by Josh and Quinn highlight just how impactful DISC’s travel training has been in supporting young people to travel independently with confidence. What may seem like a simple journey to some can be a significant step towards independence for others—building essential life skills, self-assurance, and problem-solving abilities along the way. By equipping Interns with practical strategies and support, DISC continues to remove barriers and empower its learners to take the next step in their journey with greater confidence and independence.