YAI’s travel training team took center stage at the Association for Travel Instruction (ATI) Conference in Boston this summer, sharing their expertise on how to make public transportation more accessible and inclusive. The three-day event gathered professionals from across the country who are dedicated to helping people with disabilities gain independence through travel.

"The ATI Conference was an incredible opportunity to connect, share, and learn,” said Lisa-Dawn Kornegay, YAI's Travel Training Supervisor. “Hearing about new approaches to travel training and highlighting the success of YAI’s program reinforced the importance of what we do.”

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This year, YAI’s team played a major role. Stephanie Rozanski, one of YAI’s Director of Training and ATI board secretary, presented on the importance of emotional intelligence in travel training, highlighting how trainers must manage their own stress while supporting people navigating crowded subways and buses.

“You need to be aware of your own emotions, but also of the person you’re training,” she said. “Are they anxious? Do they need a break? That awareness is critical to building confidence and independence.”

Other YAI trainers also shared their expertise. Kaila Kamlet presented on teaching wheelchair users to travel independently, Matthew Rella demonstrated the new OMNY card system, and Kornegay highlighted success stories from the program.

Funded in recent years through a Department of Transportation grant, YAI’s travel training program now supports people outside the agency as well. On average, one-on-one training lasts 12 to 15 sessions during which trainers provide daily support until the trainee demonstrates proficiency in navigating their route, effectively solving problems, and reaching their destination safely and confidently. Group “pre-travel” sessions also introduce skills to those not yet ready for daily training.

For Rozanski, the work goes far beyond teaching logistics. “Many of the people we support have never been alone outside their own homes. Learning to travel independently opens up everything, jobs, education, relationships, even just personal time to reflect,” she said. "We’ve seen people get married or find employment opportunities they never would have had without being able to travel.”

Since first attending ATI in 2022, YAI has quickly become recognized as a leader in the field.

“We got great feedback this year,” Rozanski said. “We’re now seen as experts not only in New York City, but on a national level. That’s exciting for our team and for the people we support.”