Special Needs Transportation

Explore best practices for safely and effectively transporting students with disabilities and special transportation needs. We cover accessibility, wheelchair securement, equipment, training, student behavior, regulations, and specialized transportation services.

Kelli Goterba, the 2026 Special-Needs Driver of the Year, stands with her arms crossed in front of a Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities school bus.

News

Kelli Goterba Named 2026 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year

Through building trust with students and strengthening her transportation team, Goterba exemplifies the impact special-needs drivers can make.

Digital Cover Features

The Most Common Wheelchair Securement Mistakes on School Buses (and How to Fix Them)

A wheelchair user operates a school bus wheelchair lift equipped with BraunAbility’s LiftSentinel barrier system as another person stands nearby with a handheld control.

News

BraunAbility Introduces New Safety Barrier for Wheelchair Lifts

A close up image of a hand holding a phone with HopSkipDrive's platform and CareDriver information on the screen.

News

HopSkipDrive Launches New Safety, Driver Consistency Features for 2026-27 School Year

Articles•April 1, 2003

IEPs, Regulatory Issues Pervade Special-Needs Show

Approximately 550 special-education experts and transportation personnel traveled to Indianapolis for the 12th Annual National Conference and Exhibiti...

Articles•by Staff•April 1, 2003

NSTA-NYSBCA event to address key issues

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) and the New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) will hold a joint...

Articles•March 1, 2003

Fetal alcohol syndrome: Norman's struggle

Standing alone, his back pressed against the school wall, Norman hides in the protection of his high-collared coat. His gaze is fixed on infinity. As ...

Articles•February 1, 2003

High Costs, Yes; But Valuable Returns, Too

Shortly after I joined the staff of School Bus Fleet more than eight years ago, I visited a school bus contractor here in Southern California.

Articles•February 1, 2003

Building Driver-Assistant Partnerships on the Special-Needs Bus

In school transportation, namely with special-needs students, stress management is dealing calmly and effectively with common situations such as tight...

Articles•by Staff•February 1, 2003

Industry News

Dramatic rescue credited to a combination of training, instincts SPARTANBURG, S.C. — On Feb. 8, 2002, at around 7 a.m., a Mercedes sed...

Scrabble Tiles and Chalk on Blue Background

Articles•November 1, 2002

Understanding Autistic Behaviors: Kent's Story

Dive into the complexities of autism — focusing on social interaction, communication, and behavior — and how a tailored, understanding approach led to a simple yet effective solution for one student.

Articles•November 1, 2002

Are Your Drivers and Attendants Prepared for a Bus Fire?

It's good that the pupil transportation industry is blowing its horn lately, focusing on the relative safety of the school bus over other modes of tra...

Articles•by Staff•November 1, 2002

News from the World of Pupil Transportation

Blue Bird closes Iowa plant permanently FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. has closed its school bus manufacturing facility in Mount ...

Articles•by Staff•September 1, 2002

9 Steps to Manage the Behavior of Children with ADHD

Discover effective strategies for managing students with ADHD. These practical tips will help create a more positive and productive environment for children with ADHD aboard the bus.

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