Exclusive | MTA cancels beloved, feel-good subway announcement program for kids with autism: A real slap in the face

Stand clear of the heartless MTA, please!The MTA has canceled a popular program that allows students with autism to record public announcements to be played throughout the subway system, stunning Big Apple parents and their kids alike.Many youths with autism spectrum disorder love the subway, often focusing intensely on the details of trains and buses, subway maps and train schedules — and conductors’ announcements.The not-for-profit group, the Autism Transit Project, runs the program in concert with transit systems across the country.But the MTA, which co-sponsored events with autistic kids in 2022 and 2023, refused to participate last year and thus far this year, according to the group.“Thank you for reaching out.Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate this request,” Amanda Valdes, an MTA spokesperson, told Jonathan Trichter, founder of the Autism Transit Project, in a Jan.

22 email.No explanation was given.Trichter responded via email, “You’re going to crush the hearts of dozens and dozens of Autistic children in New York City who love the MTA like no other constituency; there will be many tears when they hear this news.I therefore hope very much that the MTA will reconsider.”Parents and kids with autism are baffled why the MTA has turned into the Grinch.“It’s a real slap in the face to the kids with autism spectrum disorder,” said Brenna Epstein Calles, whose son, Morgan, did recordings in 2022 and 2023.

“It almost seems vindictive.It’s just beyond me.”Morgan, who is now 8, said doing the announcements was a “really great experience.”“I was really disappointed when I found out.

I was really looking forward to doing it again,” Morgan said.He even said one of his classmates “was crying” when he heard that the MTA refused to revive the program this year.Parent Eliyanna Kaiser said her 12-year-old son, Leo was similarly “really disappointed” that the program was discontinued because he never got an opportunity to pa...