Occupational Therapy Community Mobility Skills Checklist for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (CMSC-ID)
Objective: This tool examines an individual’s functional skills and abilities in relation to the environmental and task demands required by different transportation types (excluding driving) to assist in identifying transportation options that support and/or increase safe and effective community mobility for individuials with physical disabilities and whether training is needed, or a companion is necessary.
Section I: Completed by Individual and/or Parent. Please indicate which of these transportation options are available in the community and if used or tried.
OptionsPublic (City) BusCoach (Intercity Bus)Train/Subway Trolley/TramTaxiE-hailing (Uber, Lyft)FerryWalkBicycle/ScooterOther
Available
Tried
Use
Section II: Completed by Occupational Therapist or Service Provider. Please identify the level of independence or assistance needed for each of the functional skills and ability items.
Functional Skills and Abilities: Is the individual able to: Ex. = ExampleSkill LevelComments
Cognitive
1. Ambulate independently, including steps/stairs
2. Physically maneuver within a familiar or unfamiliar environment
3. Recognize and follow signage with no external cues (Ex: driver wave, vehicle signal lights)
4. Scanning the environment for safety when exiting the vehicle or getting off the bus
5. Initiate use and secure own seatbelt, if appropriate.
6. Maintain attention to anticipate correct destination/stop
7. Plans a trip considering time to and from destination
8. Read and decipher a schedule
9. Navigate/wayfinding with a schematic, map, or GPS (Ex: start point, within transport center, destination)
10. Manage money/money card/fare card to pay for and register travel
11. Problem-solve when a problem arises (e.g., cancellation, delay).
12. Use appropriate wear for weather (e.g., rain, snow boots)
13. Plan ahead to carry water, food, charged cellphone, and /or medication as needed.
14. Cross a street with traffic signals and pedestrian controls while monitoring vehicle traffic
15. Cross a street without pedestrian controls (with/without traffic signals)
16. Awareness of people who may take advantage of individual (e.g.scammers, con artists, grooming).
Communication
17. Able to hail a taxi or flag a bus for stopping
18. Communicate needs effectively with a driver; knowing when and if appropriate (Ex: when getting on a bus, not while driving)
19. Communicate identification information and/or phone number to an appropriate individual
20. Use a cellphone/mobile phone for requesting and managing service (Ex: apps for ordering rideshare)
21. Recognizes an emergency situation and contacts the correct person (Ex: caregiver vs 911)
Behavioral
22. Tolerates motion of vehicles (including bus, train, ferry)
23. Follow social etiquette for community mobility (Ex: no feet on seats, does not intrude on other passengers’ space)
24. Sit or stand without disruptive behavior during the trip
25. Recognize and respond appropriately to one's current level of energy or pain
26. Recover from feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious if a problem occurs in order to continue the travel
27. Aware and plan for potential discomfort, fatigue or pain with travel.
28. Aware of unsafe situations or dangers in the environment and appropriately respond or adapt (e.g., broken sidewalk, construction, detour).