Our Why
Our
Story
Michael Cormier the driving force and creator of 3rd Circle Inc. 3rd Circle is a non-profit organization that develops personalized support services for people of a variety of different abilities. Rooted in the philosophy of Gentle Teaching, 3rd Circle strives to strengthen the fabric of companionship and community for all those they serve.
One thing that sets Mike apart from other administrators is that he always maintains an active presence in the lives of those receiving support. It is this presence that lead Mike to creating 3rd Gear! He has spent many hours transporting those under his care, and thought, "there has to be a better way." Neither public nor private transportation methods do what needs to be done. How do you make it as easy for someone with a disability to experience all that their community has to offer, while giving them an opportunity to be independent and in some cases, learning to be independent in a safe environment?
With Mike's lead and great relationships of caregivers in the community the 3rd Gear service is born!
Our goal is to extend that support from the home to the road!
Transportation is fundamental to the integration of people with disabilities into their community as well as to promote independence. What if an adult with a disability could schedule a ride on an app, with a fully trained driver that could drive them to work, school, social events or anywhere they need to go?
Why a new way of transportation is needed!
Limited options in transportation for adults with disabilities increases the stress level for them and their care takers. Adults with disabilities and their families want them to experience all that life has to offer and with irregular, unreliable, potentially unsafe and in some areas nonexistent transportation options, their ability to participate in life outside their homes becomes even more limited.
In short, our research identifies the heavy dependence on public transportation as well as it limitations for disabled adults, making it an unreliable resource for full community inclusion.
This lack of inclusion, impacts a disabled adults feelings of inclusion and value.
How we plan to solve this problem.
3rd Gear will have highly trained, compassionate drivers with a background in disabilities, first aid, CPR, and will also have drivers available for even the most acute disabilities in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip that is appropriate for anyone.
Training For Our Drivers
First Aid & CPR
First aid and CPR training equips individuals with essential life-saving skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergency situations. In these training programs, participants learn techniques and procedures to provide immediate assistance to injured or ill individuals until professional medical help arrives.
Environmental
Emergencies
At our transportation company, we prioritize your safety and peace of mind above all else. That's why our drivers undergo comprehensive training on environmental emergencies, including bad weather, tornadoes, and fires. By equipping our drivers with the knowledge and skills to navigate and respond to these situations, we ensure that you are in capable hands, no matter the circumstances. With our commitment to passenger safety and expertise in handling environmental emergencies, you can trust us to transport you with confidence and peace of mind.
Core Values
Our core values are based on a culture of dignity & respect. It is our training program that focuses on cultivating an environment of dignity, respect compassion, empathy, and providing service to others. Participants learn practical strategies and techniques to promote an honrable culture, ensuring the well-being and intrinsic value of individuals utilizing 3rd Gear service.
Limited English Proficiency
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) training is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate and provide assistance to individuals who have limited proficiency in the English language. The training focuses on developing cultural competence, language access strategies, and practical tools to ensure effective communication and equitable access to services for LEP individuals.
Human Services and Meeting Special Needs
This online course introduces learners to the history of human services and provides a review of current trends and best practices. Learners will understand their central role in providing supports in a variety of settings and the influence of values, attitudes, and beliefs in providing quality services. Learners will be introduced to individuals with common developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental illnesses through stories and examples. The principles of Trauma Informed Care and how to be a supportive element in the Person Centered Planning and Self-determination process is highlighted.
Cultural Competency
The drivers are trained on cultural diversity & multicultural awareness. Developing cultural competence, language access strategies, and practical tools to ensure effective communication and equitable access to services for passengers & understand why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in the delivery of services and how to implement principles of cultural competence into our everyday work and life.