By Kathy Furneaux

Peggy Burns’ new video, The Road to Compliance for Special Needs Drivers, is a refreshing and welcome validation of the dedicated work of professionals who transport children with disabilities.

Comprehensive in approach, Burns addresses critical compliance issues transporters face on a daily basis. Her overview of legal compliance is enhanced and reinforced by the real challenges of maintaining consistent safety of students on the school bus.

For drivers who accept those challenges, Burns provides strategies and tips in the areas of law, pick-up and drop-off locations, behavior management, scheduling issues, handling student information, proper use of assistive equipment and special obligations.

The legal liabilities of noncompliance in each area are laid out in careful detail, reinforced with real-life stories straight out of today’s headlines.

This professionally produced video is well-organized and insightful. Most importantly, it hits a home run in its thorough approach to compliance with laws and best practices for transporting students with disabilities. It brings into focus the importance and serious responsibility involved when transporting children with disabilities.

Burns’ video is accompanied by her “Gold Sheet,” an added value that defines essential terms for understanding special-needs transportation law.

I recommend every school bus driver who transports a child with a disability see this video. It will affirm their work, their dedication and the focus of their industry: safety for children.

Kathy Furneaux is executive director of the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute. The Road to Compliance for Special Needs Drivers is available from Education Compliance Group Inc. atwww.educationcompliancegroup.comor (888) 604-6141 for $175 plus $15 shipping and handling.