Study seeks to improve wheelchair transport safety
School bus drivers and attendants are asked to share their experiences in a survey being conducted by university researchers. The outcome is expected to help bolster the safety of wheelchair-seated students by identifying needs for improved technologies, standards and training.

Drivers and attendants who transport wheelchair-seated students are asked to share their experiences in a survey being conducted by university researchers.
Researchers at the Universities of Louisville and Pittsburgh are asking school bus drivers and attendants who transport students in wheelchairs to share their experiences.
A federally funded research project is being conducted to obtain accurate and objective information on the real-world experience of transporting wheelchair-seated students in school buses. The project is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
School bus drivers and attendants who work in a specially equipped bus on a regular or part-time basis are requested to participate in an anonymous survey. The outcomes are expected to improve transportation safety of wheelchair-seated students by identifying needs for improved safety technologies, standards and training.
Officials said that the survey is easy to use and can be completed in 15 minutes or less. It is online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/WheelchairsOnBuses.
A flyer that can be posted or passed out to drivers and attendants can be accessed here.
For more information about the survey, contact Mary Ellen Buning at me_buning@mac.com or (502) 407-3272.
To learn more about the NIDRR center on wheelchair transportation safety, go to www.rercwts.org.
More Special Needs Transportation

What More Than Two Million Rides Reveal About School Transit
More than two million student trips. Nearly 28million miles. Here's what that data reveals about the future of alternative student transportation.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches New Safety, Driver Consistency Features for 2026-27 School Year
The company’s free ride recording, live ride tracking, and consistent driver assignments aim to improve safety and continuity for diverse student transportation needs.
Read More →
The Most Common Wheelchair Securement Mistakes on School Buses (and How to Fix Them)
Small missteps in wheelchair securement can have serious consequences. Here are 32 tips from experts to reduce risk and increase student safety on the bus.
Read More →
Inside AMF Bruns’ New Showroom: School Bus Securement Solutions Explained
Go inside AMF Bruns America’s new Ohio showroom with Maritza Valentin to see its FutureSafe technology, driver training tools, securement systems, and seating innovations.
Read More →What AMF Bruns’ New Facility Means for Customers [Video]
Inside AMF Bruns’ new Stow, Ohio, operations: See how expanded space and innovation will enhance customer support and operations.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
AMF Bruns Expands in Ohio, Investing in Growth and Community
With expanded production space, local investment, and a growing workforce, AMF Bruns is scaling its U.S. presence. Here’s an exclusive first look inside the new Stow, Ohio, HQ.
Read More →
Inside AMF Bruns of America’s New Ohio Manufacturing Facility [Photos]
Take a behind-the-scenes look at AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot Stow, Ohio, headquarters, featuring advanced manufacturing, expanded space, and future-ready mobility solutions.
Read More →
First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas
First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.
Read More →2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →

