Our Advocate of the Months go above and beyond to provide inclusivity for people with disabilities. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) is prime example of this devotion, specifically through their commitment to being a Certified Autism Center.

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WMSR is the first heritage railroad in America to become a Certified Autism Center. Through their credentialing, the railroad maintains standards and procedures that create inclusivity for people of all abilities. WMSR provides sensory guides for each excursion, which describe the amount of sensory engagement passengers will experience. They also offer priority boarding, as well as sensory materials such as headphones, fidget toys, and writing tablets.

On top of these procedures, WMSR staff members are trained on how to understand and communicate with people with disabilities. Through the training, they learn about topics such as autism, accessibility needs, sensory processing disorder, and how these can each affect a person’s communication.

 

Tina Beal, the Retail & Special Event Manager at WMSR, says this training is essential for staff to understand how a disability is unique to each person.

“They learn how autism and sensory needs are different for everyone. For example, one time, an adult became overwhelmed from the noise at the station and bolted. Staff might not understand, and think, ‘Why is that man running alongside the train?’ Or, if someone isn’t looking at you when you talk to them, it’s thinking, ‘This person isn't ignoring me, they might just have autism’.”

WMSR also has an autism-friendly certified train car. Called the Pacific Waters car, it is personally owned by WMSR Director Wesley Heinz and is designed to have private areas for people with sensory needs.

Thank you Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for being an outstanding advocate of all abilities!

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