Special-needs event offers solutions in bad economy

[IMAGE]112[/IMAGE]ORLANDO, Fla. — Some 400 attendees and supplier representatives convened here in early March for sessions and an exhibition that focused on finding creative solutions to providing safe services in a sour economy.

In nearly 40 sessions held during the Transporting Students With Disabilities & Preschoolers conference, special-needs transportation professionals participated in evacuation, securement and sensitivity training. Interactive sessions covered policy, practice and operations.

The opening general session offered insights into the current hot topic of restraint and seclusion legislation moving through legislative bodies in states and in Washington, D.C. Separate-registration workshops focused on internal investigations, shared services and collaborative resolutions.

Among the attendees were the 2009 and the 2010 recipients of the American Logistics Scholarship: Robin Parks, transportation specialist with Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES in Ithaca, N.Y., and Betsy Schulthess, transportation safety coordinator at St. Charles (Ill.) Community Unit School District 303. Information on the 2011 scholarship will be available in October.

Taking first place in this year’s National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo, held in Orlando at the Orange County Public Schools Pine Hills Compound, were Jacquelyn Turner and David O’Keeffe of Clayton County Schools in Jonesboro, Ga.

Second place was claimed by Tammy Labaro and Tammy Roberson of Moravia (N.Y.) Central School District. Third place went to Thomas Orr and Tyrone Pickney of Jasper County Schools in Ridgeland, S.C.

Nineteen teams competed in the 13th edition of the annual roadeo, which is managed by conference sponsor Edupro Group and the National Association for Pupil Transportation.

The Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo., will be the site for the 20th National Conference & Exhibition on Transporting Students With Disabilities & Preschoolers, March 11-16, 2011. The conference will host the 14th National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo March 11-13, with the competition set for March 13.

More information on the 2010 and 2011 conferences is at www.eduprogroup.com.