NAPT Summit to offer workshops on special-needs issues

PORTLAND, Ore. — The 2010 National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Summit, to be held here Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, will address myriad topics through sessions and workshops. Among them will be issues related to special-needs students and transportation of these students to and from school.

On Oct. 31, the “Special Needs Transportation 101” two-part workshop will explain the legal basis for special-needs transportation. Definitions of transportation and related special-education terms in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008; and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations will be provided during an interactive discussion.

The second half of the workshop will focus on the characteristics of children with special needs and special considerations for transporting them, including a discussion of students’ individualized education programs.

Later that day, another workshop will cover communicating safety to children with disabilities. It will provide an overview of several ways to instruct safety effectively to children who may struggle with communication and what transportation professionals can do from a management position to assist in this instruction.

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, “Hot Topics in Special Education” will provide a review of recent court decisions and other topics that are generating questions, concern or confusion about the rights of students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504. In addition, the workshop will cover administrative hearings regarding student residency and discipline issues.

Also on Tuesday, Dr. Alexa Posny, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services for the U.S. Department of Education, will explain during a keynote presentation how and why the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services supports programs that offer information and assistance to parents of children with disabilities and members of the education community who serve these individuals, particularly those in transportation.

For more information about the NAPT Summit, visit www.naptonline.org and click on the "Annual Summit" tab.