Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of
Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA | Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology,
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Abstract: For children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs),
transportation is considered a related service and a part of their education.
This paper presents an overview of the current status of wheelchair
transportation for students on school buses within the United States. The
review includes the school transportation environment for wheelchair-seated
students, applicable regulations and voluntary standards, primary safety issues
for wheelchair-seated students, and key stakeholders roles in improving
wheelchair transportation safety. Future actions to improve wheelchair
transportation safety in school transportation are discussed, including the
need to improve data collection, mandate payment for and use of RESNA
WC19-compliant wheelchairs, improve training for bus operators and attendants,
and require specialty certification for school bus operators who transport
wheelchair-seated students.
Keywords: Wheelchair, transportation, safety, school bus, RESNA WC19
