Accessibility and Public Transport Research at UCL

TRUMPET: "Going Places!", the travel training game.

The game | Personal counters and question cards | Students playing the game

The idea of a board game came about as a result of working with students and their teachers in a special school who needed extra resources in the classroom to support their travel training in the community. Travel training is carried out so that the students can use local transport independently by the time they leave school. The game is aimed at young people with learning disabilities in the transition stage (15-19 years).

the game "Going Places"

The game uses photographs of landmarks and places of interest along a particular bus route that the students use regularly as part of their learning. The game essentially involves the students throwing a dice and answering questions correctly to progress along the board. Questions cover areas of knowledge including using public transport, choosing appropriate clothing, identifying landmarks and observational work in the town centre. Recognizing and naming the landmarks and having fun playing the game increases the students' visual memory and awareness of their surroundings.

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the personal counters and question cards

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The players are asked questions from cards which are written in Makaton symbol language as well as in english. Each player has their own individual counter.

The game has been designed to be on three A1 boards joined together and laminated. The graphic representation of the route on the board is roughly the same shape as the actual bus route. The route is numbered and and divided into four sections. The first player to reach the end wins. Typically, the route on the board would start at the school and finish somewhere like a shopping centre or a museum.

The game has been tried out and played for a term by the young people in the school and it has been found to have definitely helped with their awareness and perception and independent travel on the bus.

The game can be be adapted for any school and different bus journeys. Any number and type of questions can be made up by the teachers, although it is necessary to have the Makaton software.

The game is easily differentiated for students with a range of abilities. It involves the students demonstrating communication skills, application of number, working with others and problem solving.

" 'Going Places' is an excellent resource. It is a format that can be used by other schools in other areas."

"The game has been beneficial in assisting the students to make progress with independent living skills. It has enabled the important skill of using transport to be developed during classroom activities . It is used as a preparation for accessing the community."

Jane Shaw, class teacher, Lancaster School

the students playing the game

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If you would like further details about the game and how to make your own, please contact Chris Cook

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Last updated February 2002

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