a2bsafely

a2bsafely.com explores five real-life journeys with progression through four levels of difficulty. It is the only website of its kind – a world first in its class.

Four journeys are on foot and the fifth is a bus journey. It is a peer education resource where young people narrate, present and take part in movies.

This group of young people spend a great deal of time playing computer games. With an avatar or ‘wee me’ to guide you through a2bsafely, the player has a friendly face or whacky image to identify with.

Some learners need to be reassured with repetition and quiet; others need variety, and the stimulation of colour and movement. Weaving a path through these diverse needs was a challenging task. a2bsafely steers a course to offer broad appeal.

This is a strongly visual learning experience – colourful without being intense, bright but also calm and unfussy. Visual clutter can be removed and there are optional ‘off switches’ for sound and graphics.

There is concern that, due to their restricted travel patterns, many children are missing out on learning the basics of road safety education. a2bsafely has clear and appropriate road safety messages which are underpinned by the basics of stop, think, look and listen. Thinking about the situation was identified by the working group as being a very important aspect of preparation to cross the road.

The support site offers parents advice. Take home messages in the form of ‘Tracker pages’ are one of the main learning outcome reminders which can be printed out at the end of each game. Parents are encouraged to participate by teaching their children themselves, reinforcing what they have learned. The message to parents is: ‘You are your child’s teacher and travelling companion’.

Encouraged by local road safety officers the site is explored in special schools and, in addition, there is a large and growing group of users who are working within wider community; in library, social work and NHS settings. These include parents, children, teachers and carers, indeed, the user base for a2bsafely knows no boundaries in age group or location.

This film-based resource enables people to explore the road environment in a safe place, before travelling independently as pedestrians and bus passengers, within their community.

This site is not going to attract large numbers of visitors due to it’s very nature, but in our experience users can range from young adults in supported accommodation to children who are hearing impaired, sight impaired or who have specific learning needs such as those who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder or Asperger Syndrome, to name but two.

a2bsafely is attracting an increase this year in users. This is very gratifying and largely due to two additional promotion drives with increased traffic to the site.

• a2bsafely is now hosted on all police, local authority and fire and rescue websites in Scotland and other related websites such as Capability Scotland.
• a2bsafely flyers were sent out to all libraries, social work departments and children’s hospitals inviting interest. This has resulted in the construction of a group email ‘Friends of a2bsafely’.

We are also keen that this resource supports other learning opportunities such as Outdoor Learning and Play Scotland and most recently Historic Scotland – an organisation which, among other things, encourages people of all ages to explore their local built environment, on foot. Historic Scotland promotes the resource as part of its health and safety package.

Open www.a2bsafely.com and take the tour or play and see for yourself – or better still introduce the site to a special school near you.