Riding to School in a Wheelchair
By Buning, Mary Ellen; Shutrump, Sue; Manary, Miriam A.; Exceptional Parent Magazine, pp. 36-39Publication Date: July 2007
Overview of the role of school transporters in ensuring a safe ride to and from school for children in wheelchairs. The travel plan created by a bus driver and bus aide is outlined, including the choosing of securement stations for students based on the order in which they are loaded and unloaded, and special needs, such as placement away from drafts for children with respiratory problems, or positioning up front for students with conditions warranting observation. The travel plan should also include a boarding location providing stability and level access, and an emergency evacuation plan that includes training and skill demonstration for all drivers. Also discussed are parents’ roles in assuring school districts’ adherence to transportation requirements, including the provision of transportation to enable equal opportunity for children with disability to participate in after-school and extracurricular activities. A resource list of agencies providing information on wheelchair-transportation safety is appended. This is the 4th article in the magazine's Wheelchair Transportation Safety series.
Published by: EP Global Communications (Website:http://www.eparent.com)
Link to text: http://www.rercwts.org/RERC_WTS2_KT/RERC_WTS2_KT_Pub/RERC_WTS_Pub_Doc/0707_WTS_Ride2School.pdf
