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when I first began driving a (wheelchair) lift bus, I was not given any training. Since that time, I have attended workshops and special needs ‘Road-eos,’ along with (continuing) self-education. I now train our special needs drivers in safe practices for our wheelchair students.”


MORE FEEDBACK ON TRAINING To encourage specific answers about the safe transport of


wheelchair passengers, Buning said the survey asked participants “to think about the last student they secured.” Respondents used pictures to indicate how they would secure the wheelchair to the floor with four straps, then how to use the lap/shoulder belt on the child. When asked which straps they used, 94 percent said they used the third strap and 95 percent, the fourth strap, revealing that about 6 percent did not know to use all four straps. “Part of the contribution of WC19 is that it has four points that


are easy to see and easy to reach, which are marked and labeled,” she said. “When we asked whether they are using this type of wheelchair, we learned that (these wheelchairs) are not out there very much.” One of the researchers’ top priorities was to track bus operators’


awareness of WC19-compliant wheelchairs. In survey responses, 57 percent indicated, “yes,” they knew about the standard (187), while 43 percent marked “no.” Yet those who knew about this type of wheelchair generally were not using them, Buning added.


“Before taking the survey, 77 percent had seen a WC19-com-


pliant wheelchair but had not actually secured it — they had no direct experience with it. Tey didn’t know this type of wheelchair could be easier to secure,” said Buning. “It’s faster and it’s easier.” Te researchers also asked those with experience securing


this type of wheelchair to give their opinion on the process. When asked if this type of wheelchair was faster to tie down, 64 percent said it was “much faster,” and 25 percent said it was “somewhat faster.” Participants represented different regions of the United States,


with 21 and 27 percent from the West and Midwest, respectively. Te largest number hailed from the South (40.6 percent) and the smallest from the Northeast (11.7 percent). Nearly 30 percent of respondents had 20 or more years of experience as a bus driver or attendant. A full 76 percent indicated they work for a school district. About two-thirds were female (64.5 percent). The next step in their research, Buning explained, is to dig


deeper into the survey results, taking a closer look at respons- es to determine the effectiveness of the wheelchair training out there. “Of those school bus drivers surveyed, we would like to find


out what percentage did things correctly. Of those who get trained every year, did they give different responses compared to those who only got training when first hired?” Buning asked. “How effective is this training?” ■


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24 School Transportation News Magazine October 2011


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