System familiarization event held in partnership with the Oregon Commission of the Blind and Ride Connection spotlighted accessibility features
Most riders breeze through MAX stations without a second thought, passing TriMet’s network of tactile strips, text-to-speech devices providing audible service information, emergency phones and braille, each feature designed to help riders of all abilities navigate the system.
But for those who rely on these features and can’t see them, providing extra training goes a long way in building confidence in riding.
In July, TriMet partnered with Ride Connection and the Oregon Commission for the Blind to give those with vision impairments the opportunity to build self-assurance using our transit system. This was done through hands-on, real-world experiences. Rather than simply talking about accessibility features, the event allowed participants to practice navigating an actual TriMet MAX station.
At the SE Park Avenue MAX Station, TriMet’s Rail Training Supervisors — joined by Ride Connection’s RideWise trainers — demonstrated where to find emergency intercoms and other onboard safety features. They explained the locations of devices like Hop Fastpass® fare card readers and devices that provide audible service information at a touch of a button. Attendees also learned how to request ramps for boarding on different types of MAX cars and where ADA priority seating is located.
A hands-on boost in confidence
Rail Training Supervisor Jeff Flanagan brought a group over to one of the blue-light security phones. Simply describing the phones as red columns with blue lights at the top is impractical to those who are blind. They need to know where they’re located within a platform’s physical space.
“Press this emergency phone, and it goes immediately to (TriMet security)” Jeff said, directing participants to the column in the middle of the platform. “That’s how you can let them know if there are any issues going on, any emergencies or anything like that.”
Three RideWise travel trainers were also on hand to assist. These trainers help people in the Portland area gain skills and confidence to use public transit independently.
Representatives from the Oregon Commission for the Blind emphasized the challenges of navigating the MAX system independently. Blind riders may feel a heightened sense of urgency to board and feel overwhelmed. To prepare the riders in attendance, Rail Training Supervisors offered tips for boarding and communicating with operators using the on-board intercom.
The trainers guided participants through various train doorways, highlighting the features and layouts they might encounter upon boarding.
TriMet means independent living
Roughly 45,000 to 50,000 people in the Portland metro area have vision loss or are legally blind. For them, TriMet is a literal lifeline, ensuring they can reach medical appointments and hold steady employment.
Oie Keller is one of them. He attended the event to learn more about the accessibility resources available to low- to no-vision riders on TriMet’s system.
He’s been affiliated with the Oregon Commission for the Blind for the past two years, participating in the commission’s offerings like career services, technology training and independent living resources. It’s where he met his fiancé, Alana Jaylo. The two plan to marry this September.
“I think I learned more today about MAX than in the past 20 years,” Oie said, adding that he was most fascinated to learn that he could use the on-board emergency button anytime he needed to talk to an operator. “I was afraid to ever use it unless it was an emergency. But today I learned I can use it if I have a simple question like, ‘what line is it?’ I’ve actually gotten on the wrong train before because I couldn’t hear what train it was.”
Oie has been riding MAX since it began in 1986 and said the recent advancements in accessibility features have been nothing short of revelatory. For him, TriMet means mobility. The fact that MAX trains and buses crisscross our region means that he, and tens of thousands of other people who are unable to drive, can live independent and active lives.
“I came out because I had questions that I’ve never been able to ask anybody in person and to see what else I could learn,” Oie said. “It’s pretty amazing actually how much I learned today.”
Supporting riders with disabilities is also a core part of every MAX operator’s training. Trainers ensure that operators understand accessibility features and best practices for assisting ADA riders throughout the system.
Accessibility matters
Partnering with stakeholder groups and nonprofits, TriMet woks on ways to make riding easier for people who are blind or have low vision. Our Committee on Accessible Transportation (CAT) was formed in 1985 as an advisory group to provide the agency with ongoing input on accessibility-related topics. CAT meets multiple times per month to provide insight into decisions related to TriMet’s vehicles, stations, transit centers, wayfinding, and more.
Starting in 2024, TriMet began installing our newest accessibility resource at MAX stations and Transit centers. Falcons — the push-button, text-to-speech devices — help sight-impaired riders have access to the same content featured on our digital displays.
In 2025, TriMet teamed up with researchers from Portland State University to explore ways to make MAX stations and transit centers even more accessible, leveraging feedback from blind project participants. This included a walk-through at Beaverton Transit Center, where they practiced navigating that space.
For more information about TriMet’s accessibility features for blind or low-vision riders, visit trimet.org/access/vision.