MARTA Collaborates with Autism Transit Project for Autism Acceptance Month

In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month this April, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is teaming up with the Autism Transit Project to feature rail station announcements made by children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Throughout the month, passengers at MARTA’s 38 rail stations will hear these special announcements on the platforms.

MARTA’s General Manager and CEO, Collie Greenwood, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the significance of including neurodivergent perspectives in daily life. Greenwood stated, “Research has shown that those with ASD are drawn to trains because of the sensory feedback they feel from the trains on the track and the repetitive nature of their arrivals and departures.”

The Autism Transit Project, initiated in New York in 2020, has expanded to various cities including Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and New Jersey. Led by Jonthan Trichter, founder of two schools for students with special needs, the project aims to amplify the voices of individuals with ASD in public spaces. This year, the project has further expanded to transit systems in California, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

MARTA’s announcements include reminders about littering, reporting suspicious activity, and messages promoting escalator and elevator safety.

In addition to this collaboration, MARTA recently participated in Neurodiversity Celebration Week by hosting a lunch-and-learn session led by Dr. David Jones, Chief Medical Officer at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. This initiative reflects MARTA’s commitment to fostering understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities, promoting acceptance and inclusion in transit, schools, and workplaces as part of a global effort to challenge stereotypes and promote equality.