Synovia Solutions Blog

Obviously, safety is at the forefront of your concerns when it comes to transporting students. You want to get them from home to school (and back) as efficiently and safely as possible. And we all know how that can come with challenges since kids will often be kids.

But when it comes to students with special needs, they require a bit of extra care and attention. Let’s review some basics of transporting them, in particular some topics to discuss beforehand, according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Clarify expectations
It’s important when transporting students with special needs that you clarify expectations. Will he/she have a personal attendant riding with him/her? If so, what are the attendant’s responsibilities versus the school bus driver's responsibilities? Who is the contact person should there be an issue with the student (helpers, parents, principal, etc)? You want to make sure you’re all on the same page; thus, discussing them at the beginning of the year can help clarify expectations.

Talk openly about the disability
The school bus driver should ask questions regarding the disabilities - including the types of behavior the student might display. If the child is prone to causing disruptive outbursts, the bus driver needs to be aware so that he/she can focus while driving. The bus driver also might want to address these concerns with the other students on the bus.

Discuss specialized equipment
Special needs students often require additional equipment (i.e. wheelchairs, strollers, seeing eye dogs, or car seats). The bus driver will need to understand the proper way to store the equipment and how to handle guide dogs, if applicable. Where will the additional items be during transportation? Will the bus driver need extra time to load/unload the child if he/she is in a wheelchair? Is there a special designated place for seeing eye dogs on the bus?

Go over emergency guidelines
You will need to discuss the types of potential emergencies and how to handle them should they occur. Go over the emergency evacuation plan with everyone involved. Again, being thorough will help make sure everyone is on the same page.

Practice loading and unloading
Practice loading and unloading, including what to do and who should do it. Describe how to correctly operate the wheelchair lift, if it will be used. Point out how to appropriately secure both the wheelchair and the student in the school bus. If a seating plan is implemented, you will want to plan where the student with special needs will sit strategically.

It’s all about good communication. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them. By addressing issues before they come up, you can hopefully be prepared and avoid disagreements down the road. Although it may take some extra time and effort, the reward of safety for your students with special needs will make it well worth it.

You might be a bit nervous about transporting students with service dogs, but have no fear. According to Guide Dogs of America, these pups have been through 4-6 months of training - including riding buses, subways, and escalators - so they are well prepared for riding your school bus. And their owners have been trained (at least 4 weeks in class) on how to handle them, as well.

If you still happen to be anxious about transporting a live animal, let’s go over some basics.

Educate your students
The other riders on your bus may get excited about having a dog on board. (Who can blame them?) However, it would be wise to educate them about the purpose of the dog and to stress that it’s not for petting.

Have a designated seat
Even if you don’t necessarily have assigned seating for all passengers in your bus, you will want to have a designated seat for your guide dog and owner. That way, the dog knows exactly where to lead the student upon entering the bus. Consistency is key.

Understand their purpose
Guide dogs are given to help impaired people see and hear. Thus, the dog is trained to alert the owner to intruders or sounds and to provide minimal protection. Don’t be alarmed if the guide dog reacts to loud noises or being approached; they’re simply doing their job.

Report any problems
Most guide dogs are very docile and well behaved. However, dogs - like humans - can have bad days, too. In the unlikely event that a guide dog misbehaves or puts someone in danger, make sure it is reported to the owner’s parents and/or principal.

By educating your other students, designating a seat, understanding their purpose and reporting any problems, you are doing all that you can to make sure this guide dog and owner are being treated fairly and safely. Safe and happy travels!