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.

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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.

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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.

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

Articles•August 28, 2012

Physical therapists are valuable resource for transportation

From providing information on disabilities and how they will impact the school bus ride to offering tips for proper wheelchair securement and evacuations, these individuals can greatly assist in safely transporting special-needs students. In the new school year, they should be involved in planning and training sessions.

News•by Staff•August 14, 2012

American Logistics Co. to serve Calif. district

The transportation management company has been selected by Carlsbad Unified School District to provide special-needs transportation service under a three-year contract. Officials say the agreement is expected to save the district and taxpayers more than $3 million, and that the company has saved the district 40% annually since 2007.

Articles•August 7, 2012

Transporting students with autism

Autism can affect behavior, speech and language development, sensorimotor skills, visual and auditory processing, and learning skills. Understanding the extent of this condition in your passengers will help in determining how they should be treated during bus rides and evacuations.

News•by Staff•August 7, 2012

Industry veteran completes NAPT special-needs program

Ted Finlayson-Schueler is the latest pupil transportation official to complete the association’s Special Needs Transportation Training Program. The program has a core curriculum that consists of six special-needs courses in a variety of settings, and it is supplemented by two courses of elective instruction from the NAPT Professional Development Series Program.

News•by Staff•August 3, 2012

Joanne Vento, Renee DeVall complete NAPT special-needs program

The pupil transportation officials are from Douglas County School District in Castle Rock, Colo., and Albemarle County Public Schools in Charlottesville, Va., respectively. The association’s Special Needs Transportation Training Program has a core curriculum that consists of six special-needs courses, and it is supplemented by two courses of elective instruction from the NAPT Professional Development Series Program.

News•by Staff•August 3, 2012

Veteran Calif. supervisor Charles Bednar to retire

Bednar began his career in the industry 41 years ago as a special-needs school bus driver for Taylor Bus Service in Orange County. He rose to vice president of the company before transitioning to the public sector, where he has spent the last 17 years at Corona-Norco Unified School District.

News•by Staff•August 3, 2012

Former bus driver gets probation for abusing girl

Marjorie Jones places tape over the mouth of a 7-year-old student who is unable to speak, but says at trial that she was "entertaining" the girl. She is sentenced to three years of probation and 100 hours of community service, and she is also facing a lawsuit from the girl's family.

News•by Thomas McMahon•July 30, 2012

New school bus seat, ownership shift at SynTec

SynTec Seating Solutions’ new S3C seat, which can be converted between belted and non-belted options, will be available on school buses starting this fall. The company is now fully owned by global seat belt and air bag maker Takata.

News•by Staff•July 16, 2012

Nominate a great administrator

Do you know an exemplary school transportation director who deserves some recognition for his or her efforts? We’re getting ready to select a recipient for our 2012 Administrator of the Year award, and we’re accepting nominations.

News•by Staff•July 13, 2012

Law aims to protect adult bus riders with disabilities

Under the legislation signed by acting N.J. Gov. Kim Guadagno, when a school bus is picking up or discharging any person with disabilities, including adults, the bus driver is required to use the flashing red lights and other motorists must stop. The legislation also establishes penalties for violators.

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