How many times per year do students with special needs undergo school bus evacuation training? 34% Each semester/quarter
33% Other (twice per year, three times per year, only when requested by district, etc.)
21% Once 12% As needed (Out of 123 responses.)
“I’ve been involved in cases where they just used the four tie downs [for the wheelchair] and neglect to use the shoulder and lap belts.” Shutrump shared the lap belt must be placed low enough on the stu-
dent’s thighs and securely enough to keep their hips pressed back against the wheelchair. Failure to do so can be fatal in a crash or emergency sce- nario as well as during the normal movement of the bus ride. “If the belt isn’t touching the thigh, it’s too high” is the key point to re- member, said Manary. During the OT/PT/Transporter Forum, Shutrump said student trans-
porters need to understand what level of supervision is needed for each student. Even if they are correctly secured, movement from the stop and start or other movement of the bus can cause the child’s posture to be affected based on what postural support is being used and if the child has head control or breathing issues. If this is the case, then it is crucial that the child is accompanied by an adult who can constantly supervise the posi- tion of the occupant restraint systems and comfort level of the student.
Training TSD Conference speakers highlighted two areas of training critical to safe transportation, the WTORS and Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRS). A common theme from speakers was to recognize that under federal
regulations, transportation must be fully informed on details of prop- er equipment usage and those procedures should be documents in the student’s IEP.
42 School Transportation News • JANUARY 2024
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