cause we assumed kids under 50 pounds would be transferred to a child safety seat,” Manary said. “We found that in many cases, they are not. So, we expanded WC19 to include smaller occupants.” That means that, “For those kids who weigh 26 to 50 pounds, WC19-com-
pliant wheelchairs provide additional safety features. [That includes] a crash-worthy five-point harness, so they offer protection similar to that of a child safety seat. “The last important thing to know about a WC19-compliant wheelchair is
Smallville Independent School District *011068*
CLARK KENT
that it must provide the option of a crash-worthy lap belt that can anchor to the chair. If (the user) chooses this, the fit of the crash-worthy lap belt can be improved and tailored to their needs. Then this belt can interface with a vehicle mounted shoulder belt to complete the occupant protection system.” Manary added that the wheelchair-anchored belt may not be the best
choice for all passengers. “In that case, they could still use the vehicle an- chored seatbelt, but for those who do, they get a great fit,” she said. Manary noted that WC19-compliant wheelchairs are gaining popularity,
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although many chairs on the market do not meet those design and func- tionality standards. “You cannot use the lack of a WC19 chair as a reason to deny service,” she
cautioned. “But, getting the word out about WC19 makes a big difference, because kids typically have a chair for five years. If it is not compatible with safe transportation, that’s a long time.”
Visit
stnonline.com/go/4l for comprehensive information about wheelchair transportation safety, plus a list of WC19-compliant products.
Beyond Securement Bruce Bluemel, transportation supervisor for the Uinta County School
District #6 in Wyoming, said his approach has always been to integrate chil- dren with special needs on mainstream routes. “The kids learn to appreciate each other more. The results have been pretty phenomenal,” he said. He said he believes that building and maintaining trust between drivers and students with special needs is “a huge thing.” It’s also important for the transportation department to develop and maintain trust with the district’s special needs coordinator.” Bluemel said the best way for student transporters to keep student trust is
Josh Rice
Dir. of Transportation New Caney ISD, TX
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48 School Transportation News • MARCH 2019
by not violating it and by keeping the lines of communication open. “As a result, we don’t have a lot of problems, because (drivers) text me if they know a student is having a tough day as they get on the bus, so we’re better able to take care of that child. And, we do the same thing, too,” he explained. “That trust comes full circle, because when that child is taken care of, the other kids trust things better.” Morrison said she believes it is important to remember that each student is an individual who has unique needs and behaviors. She makes a concert- ed effort to communicate with students’ family members, teachers, drivers and aides, to develop the most effective plans for each child. “These are children first, disabled second,” she added. “They need everything
every child needs: Love, understanding and security. That’s the first thing you look at and then you individualize it after that.”
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