NJTIP at Rutgers

Training is available on multiple platforms. Contact us for more information!

The mission of the New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) is to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, older adults and others by empowering them to use the public transit system safely and independently. Given social distancing and stay-at-home orders, NJTIP @ Rutgers offers personalized online travel training for individuals, along with transit orientations with “virtual field trips” for schools and agencies.

08/20/2026

For NJTIP Senior Instructor Jeffrey Dennis, one word says it all: independence. Travel instruction gives participants the skills and confidence to travel on their own—opening the door to work, school, appointments, and the activities that matter most.

One word. Endless possibilities. That's what travel training with NJTIP @ Rutgers is all about.

Check out our new video to learn more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pz7omf4e64

08/18/2026

Travel instruction is about so much more than learning to ride the bus or train. It’s about building the skills and confidence to connect with your community, your goals, and new opportunities.

NJTIP Director Andrea Lubin shares why connection is the word that best describes travel instruction.

One word. Endless possibilities. That's what travel training with NJTIP @ Rutgers is all about.

Be sure to check out our new video to learn more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pz7omf4e64

08/17/2026

What is Travel Instruction? How can it help you get where you want to go? And who is NJTIP@Rutgers?

Check out our new video to learn how travel instruction can help you travel more independently and discover how NJTIP can support you on your journey!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pz7omf4e64

07/30/2026

So exciting to see News 12 New Jersey highlight one of our NJTIP graduates, Hunter T.! We worked with Hunter to help him learn how to travel independently to work using NJ Transit buses, and today he uses NJ Transit services to reach many other destinations as well. In the feature, he shares how public transportation has given him greater independence and the freedom to access his community on his own terms.

07/24/2026

👋July 26, 2026, marks the 36th year since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, protecting the rights of people with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination against them. Disability Pride is observed every July to commemorate the signing of this law, celebrate disability identity and community, and continue working towards full inclusion and equal rights.

This Disability Pride Month, NJTIP @ Rutgers is looking back on and celebrating travel training conducted this past spring with students from Future Foundations Academy, held in partnership with Keep Middlesex Moving! Students learned essential NJ TRANSIT train features and independent travel skills in the classroom, including:

✅ Accessibility features at the station and onboard trains
✅ Different ways to pay the rail fare
✅ Identifying important train information on DepartureVision

Students then had the opportunity to put their skills into action by riding the NJ TRANSIT train to New Brunswick, where they practiced safe navigation as they explored the community. The day concluded with a scrumptious lunch at The Yard and relaxing shopping at Barnes and Noble! Navigating public transportation can be intimidating, but with travel training, individuals with disabilities can also feel empowered to travel independently.

Interested in partnering with NJTIP or want to learn more? Visit njtip.rutgers.edu or contact us at [email protected].

06/16/2026

Our own NJTIP instructor Linda Rapacki recently had the pleasure of presenting the work of NJTIP @ Rutgers at the 2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit. Linda dove deep into Bridging the Gap between Complete Streets and Accessible Mobility! The big takeaway? 🚦 "If Complete Streets infrastructure is the hardware of a safe city, then travel training is the essential software." 💻🚌

We can design the most beautiful, modern roads in the world, but true connectivity and independence happens when we empower New Jerseyans of all abilities with the skills and confidence to navigate those roadways—from mastering accessible Pedestrian Signals to conquering that tricky "last inch" of a curb ramp!

As Linda explains, when we design and train for the most vulnerable, we build a connected New Jersey that works better for everyone. 🌟

A massive thank you to the Speakers on the Accessibility and Mobility Panel, and for the support from my incredible NJTIP @ Rutgers team—Andrea, Jeffrey, and Jackie—and to everyone who came out to listen, learn, and push for a more inclusive future. Let’s keep moving forward together! 👣♿🚲🚘

05/15/2026

We’re proud to share that Jeffrey Dennis, Senior Travel Instructor at NJTIP @ Rutgers (VTC), recently co-presented “Partners in Independence: Engaging Families, Guardians, and Educators” with Judy Shanley, Easterseals to over 100 attendees nationwide in a webinar hosted by the Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) and Easterseals 👏

During the session, they highlighted the critical role that family engagement, school collaboration, and strong support systems play in supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve independent travel goals.

The presentation emphasized a key takeaway:
💡 Independent travel is built through collaboration.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families and Schools🏫 influence opportunity and consistency
🧭 Trainers influence skill development

Together, they create a pathway toward long-term independence 🚀

Through real-world success stories and practical tools, attendees gained insight into how communication 🤝, trust 🔑, and partnership can strengthen travel training outcomes and expand community mobility.

A big thank you to ATI and Easterseals, along with Meagan Greathouse (ATI) and Kristi McLaughlin (Easterseals), for hosting and organizing this impactful session 🙌

We are proud of the work being done by our NJTIP team to advance mobility, independence, and opportunity for people with disabilities and older adults.

05/04/2026

Empowering Mobility: The NJTIP Passaic STEP Paterson Success Story

The NJTIP Passaic STEP (Senior Transportation and Engagement Program) continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. Most recently, we had the pleasure of collaborating with the vibrant community at the Riverside Vets Recreation Center in Paterson. Funded by the NJ Department of Human Services – Division on Aging, this initiative is dedicated to helping older adults navigate mobility challenges with ease. By providing the tools and confidence needed to use public transit, NJTIP empowers our Seniors to reclaim their independence—ensuring they can visit friends, attend appointments, and stay active in their communities on their own terms.

Our recent "Transit 101" session truly highlighted the community's enthusiasm for learning, with 35 engaged participants joining us to master the fundamentals of safe travel. We then took that knowledge on the road with a guided bus trip to Glen Rock. While we initially planned 10 participants, we were thrilled to welcome 13 seniors who were eager to put their skills into practice! From navigating boarding procedures to managing real-world logistics, these travelers moved beyond the classroom and into the world of confident transit. We are grateful to the Division on Aging for covering fares and providing a lunch stipend, which turned the day into a wonderful social and learning experience.

The heart of NJTIP @ Rutgers lies in our ability to bridge the gap between complex transit systems and the people who rely on them most. As part of the Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, we provide much more than simple directions; we offer a specialized, supportive approach that honors the unique experiences of every senior. Looking ahead, NJTIP @ Rutgers will remain a steadfast resource for the Paterson older adult community, ensuring that Seniors have a partner to help guide them toward a safer, more independent, and more connected future.

04/09/2026

Learning on the Go! 💡

NJTIP recently supported Maria P. in building the skills and confidence to travel independently to her vocational program using public transit. 🎉

Braving chilly temperatures and snowy conditions, Maria successfully learned how to navigate the NJ TRANSIT train safely—and continues to travel with confidence every day. ❄️💪

👏 Congratulations, Maria, on this incredible achievement. Wishing you continued safe and successful travels!

👉 Be part of the journey to independence. NJTIP works with agencies, schools, and organizations to provide customized travel training that expands access to education, employment, and community life.

Learn more: njtip.rutgers.edu

Connect with us: [email protected].

Address

33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ
08901

Telephone

+18489324499

Website

http://vtc.rutgers.edu/njtip/

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