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

News•by Staff•November 9, 2009

Power pole falls on special-needs bus, no one injured

The small bus sustained only minor damage and none of the eight passengers suffered any injuries. One of the bus' mirrors may have snagged a support wire, causing the pole to break and fall.

News•by Staff•November 9, 2009

NAPT speaker gives insight on working with special-needs students

Teena Fitzroy, who grew up with cerebral palsy, told the story of her education, career path and family life, focusing on the perspective of those with disabilities.

Articles•by Staff•November 4, 2009

NAPT News & Views — ARRA offers path to funding special-needs bus purchases

Did you know the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) offers an opportunity for school districts to purchase school buses for the benefit of students with disabilities and/or students who receive special-education services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, Part B)?

News•by Staff•November 2, 2009

Outstanding efforts on display at NAPT awards ceremonies

Georgia school bus driver Dreana Trent is honored for saving the life of a student who had stopped breathing. Oklahoma state director Randy McLerran is awarded for his dedication to enhancing special-needs transportation.

News•by Staff•October 22, 2009

<i>SBF</i> unveils redesigned Website

New, user-friendly layout is organized by targeted channels, which cover such pertinent topics as school bus safety, management and training, maintenance, green issues, special needs and contractors....

News•by Staff•October 19, 2009

Blue Bird, Girardin consolidate Type A lines

The manufacturers merge their Type A bus products and distribution into one entity, dubbed Micro Bird Inc....

News•by Staff•October 16, 2009

NAPT to unveil special needs certification in Louisville

The addition to NAPT’s professional development series includes 32 hours of training curriculum; trainees in the program must attend a school bus roadeo and trade show....

News•by Staff•October 5, 2009

3 killed as car collides with special-needs bus

TUCSON, Ariz. — A passenger car collided head-on with an Altar Valley School District bus on Sept. 22, causing three fatalites. The Arizona Dep...

News•by Staff•October 5, 2009

Parking sweep causes hardship for special-needs driver

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. — Village board and staff here have recently initiated a crackdown on vehicles over a certain weight parking in residential are...

News•by Staff•October 5, 2009

Q&A: Still secure after 25 years

As Q’Straint hits a milestone, President Jean-Marc Girardin discusses the company’s continuing quest to bolster the safety of passengers who use w...

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