麻豆视频

For most teenagers, learning to drive is something that just happens 鈥� a given, a rite of passage, a little terrifying and mostly assumed. For Hannah Albright, it was something she had quietly stopped expecting.

 

“I really thought I was unable to do driver’s ed,” she said.

 

Then someone handed her the keys anyway.

 

At St. Johnsbury Academy, a small but significant shift is happening 鈥� one that鈥檚 giving more students the chance to learn how to drive, unlocking new opportunities in a rural state like Vermont.

 

Richard Kearney, the school鈥檚 instructor who retired after a 30-year career serving in various roles within Vermont鈥檚 criminal justice system, is leading an effort to make driver鈥檚 education accessible to all students 鈥� regardless of ability 鈥� from the passenger seat of the Academy鈥檚 adaptive driver鈥檚 education vehicle.

 

鈥淚n Vermont, schools are mandated to offer driver education to every single student,鈥� Kearney, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist credentialed by the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, said. 鈥淏ut historically, that hasn鈥檛 always been the reality for students who need additional support.鈥�

 

A Program Built for Access

 

The Academy鈥檚 adaptive vehicle is equipped to meet a range of physical needs, allowing students who may have previously been excluded to participate fully in driver鈥檚 education. Some accommodations include extended pedals, hand controls for acceleration and braking, and a modified steering wheel.

 

For sophomore student Nate, the access the car affords him is life-changing.

 

鈥淚t feels awkward,鈥� he said of his early experiences behind the wheel using adaptive equipment. But the alternative, he said, is far more limiting.聽

 

鈥淲ithout it I would have to be getting driven around by my parents all the time,鈥� Nate said.

 

Now, after about a year of learning, Nate is looking ahead and 鈥減retty pumped鈥� to get his license when he completes the school-offered course, he said. Nate hadn鈥檛 even realized adaptive driver鈥檚 ed was an option until Kearney approached him.聽

 

鈥淵ou thought I was just a whackadoodle,鈥� Kearney told Nate as the student practiced his driving skills through busy downtown St. Johnsbury under the instructor’s supervision.

 

Building Confidence Behind the Wheel

 

For Nate鈥檚 fellow student, Hannah Albright, the program has transformed what once felt impossible into something within reach. 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of nervous but I feel prepared,鈥� she said with focus from behind the wheel of the school鈥檚 adaptive training car.

 

Using the adaptive vehicle has made a tangible difference for Albright.聽

 

鈥淚鈥檓 not as close to the steering wheel and I can actually touch the pedals, so I can actually do the things that I need to do without that stuff being in the way,鈥� she said.

 

Before the program, Albright wasn鈥檛 sure she鈥檇 ever have the opportunity to take driver鈥檚 education and get her license.

 

鈥淚 knew there was a free class, but I didn鈥檛 know that I would have the resources to actually do it,鈥� she said.

 

Now, thanks to Kearney and St. Johnsbury Academy, that鈥檚 changed.

 

鈥淚 actually get the resources I need to drive. And there鈥檚 people here that can help me get those resources,鈥� she said.

 

The experience has also helped her grow more confident 鈥� not just in driving, but in the learning process itself.

 

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just sitting in silence 鈥� we鈥檙e actually talking,鈥� Albright said. 鈥淢r. Kearney makes you feel more comfortable. He involves himself with the students, makes them laugh. He鈥檚 just a really good teacher.鈥�

 

Kearney, who previously taught at Woodstock Union High School, said the need for adaptive driver鈥檚 education extends beyond St. Johnsbury Academy, but remains largely unavailable to students at other schools.

 

鈥淵ou think students like Nate and Hannah are getting this in other schools? No,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o what do they do? They just don鈥檛 get to take it.鈥�

 

Looking Ahead

 

The Academy is already thinking beyond its own campus. Kearney said there is potential for him and St. Johnsbury Academy to expand access to schools across the region that can鈥檛 offer the specialized services, possibly through summer programming.

 

鈥淚t is kind of groundbreaking,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going into a spot where we haven鈥檛 gone before.鈥�

 

For students like Nate and Hannah, that step forward is more than symbolic 鈥� it鈥檚 practical, immediate, and deeply personal. In a rural state where driving is often essential to independence, the ability to get a license can open doors to jobs, education, and everyday life.

 

And at St. Johnsbury Academy, more students are finally getting that chance.