The MATES Mobile: Fun, safe transport for people with autism

41-year-old Matthew spends his days working at social enterprise Fighting Chance. He’s also a project worker with the Council for Intellectual Disability – “Going to different places talking to people about their rights as a disabled person,” he explains.

He exercises at the gym a couple of times a week with Fit n Able, does basketball training with Special Olympics, plays with his nieces, goes to dinner and socialises with friends, helps out with household chores and walks Lucy, the family dog.

He loves playing basketball, bowling, socialising, helping people and spending time with family. “My life goal is to have a secure and fulfilling job, a permanent relationship, I love helping people with disabilities, I want to live a happy healthy life and fulfill God’s purpose for my life,” he says.

Things Matthew doesn’t like? Cats, crowds, rowdy people, and public transport.

“Sometimes it can feel unsafe when there are loud or abusive people, it can be stressful especially if the buses are not running to time,” he explains.

Why do people with autism dislike public transport?

“Some autistic people have co-morbidities such as intellectual disability. They find it difficult if not impossible to navigate the public transport system – reading timetables, working out platforms or bus stops,” says Randa Habelrih, Founder of Autism MATES, a charity working to make our community more inclusive for those living on the autism spectrum.

“With intense training some are successful but should there be a variation – such as the bus not running to schedule or it’s full so it does not stop – panic can easily set in. Also, so many in our autistic community have low self-confidence and self-esteem, so being out in the community alone can be a challenge.”

“My own son was trained to catch the bus – in fact to take two buses to arrive to his destination – but he experienced bullying from school children at the bus stop,” says Randa. “They mocked him and threw things at him. He phoned me as he was very frightened. I offered to pick him up but he refused as he did not want to show the school kids they had scared him.”

After a few similar incidents, Randa’s son Richard is no longer confident catching public transport – even though he’s capable.

Transporting people with autism safely

A $15,000 Sisters of Charity Foundation Community Grant helped the charity purchase the MATES Mobile. “It’s a white KIA people mover and it seats eight people,” describes Matthew. “It is painted with the Autism MATES logo and the back seats can go down when we have to deliver stuff.”

Matthew has now travelled in it countless times: to and from weekly basketball practice and to regional competitions, as well as Autism MATES dinners. “It is spacious, plenty of leg room, I get to travel with friends, it’s fun, and I like it’s a door-to-door service especially at night,” he says.

The Mobile transports around 15 people with autism every week, though Randa expects the number to increase. Drivers play background music and try to maintain a calm atmosphere.

“We talk to our participants and make them feel valued by asking them questions about their day or their week,” she says. “It’s amazing how much they share when given the opportunity.”

Peace of mind for people with autism and their parents

Randa hopes that people who ride in the MATES Mobile feel safe, and feel a sense of belonging as they travel with friends. “The journey becomes a part of their social experience,” she says. “I also know that parents will have peace of mind as they know their adult son or daughter is safe.”

Randa says the MATES Mobile gives the charity so much more freedom, and also allows them to be seen out and about in a branded vehicle, putting the autistic community front and centre in the public domain.

“It gives an added layer of security to our participants and facilitates a real sense of belonging to a community that often feels detached and isolated,” she says.

“We are truly thrilled with our van and cannot thank you enough for helping to make this a reality for us.”

About the Community Grants Program

Every year the Sisters of Charity Foundation provides grants of up to $15,000 to small not-for-profits across Australia, like Autism MATES, that use clever ways to fight poverty, loneliness, suffering and oppression. Learn more at Community Grants Program.