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•August 4, 2008

Agency offers free diabetes guide for school personnel

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is offering a free copy of its publication “Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for Sch...

News•by Staff•August 4, 2008

Minnesota committee honors special-needs drivers, attendants

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — The Minnesota Special Education Transportation Committee, in cooperation with the state Department of Education and the Minnesota ...

News•by Staff•August 4, 2008

Special-Needs Briefs — 8/4/08

Autistic boy exits bus at wrong stop, two-hour search ensues EDMONDS, Wash. — The family of an 8-year-old autistic boy, police officers a...

Articles•August 1, 2008

The Dos and Don'ts of Wheelchair Transport Safety

Learn what you need to know about safely transporting students in wheelchairs on school buses.

News•by Staff•July 7, 2008

Sure-Lok names new OEM account manager

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Wheelchair and occupant restraint system manufacturer Sure-Lok Inc. has promoted Steve Barker to national OEM account manager for bu...

News•by Staff•July 7, 2008

Edupro Group announces 18th National Conference & Exhibition

MCLEAN, Va. — Edupro Group has announced the date for its 18th National Conference & Exhibition on Transporting Students with Disabilities and Presch...

Articles•July 1, 2008

A mile in their wheelchairs

Drivers who transport people with disabilities should be aware of their passengers’ needs and challenges. But can they be taught to truly understand? ...

News•by Staff•June 2, 2008

Conference promotes travel instruction for disabled people

PITTSBURGH — The Consortium for the Educational Advancement of Travel Instruction (CEATI) will hold its Fall 2008 Conference here Oct. 10-11. ...

News•by Staff•June 2, 2008

State directors call for clarification of student info access

WASHINGTON, D.C. — State pupil transportation directors urged the U.S. Department of Education to clarify that school bus personnel should be giv...

Articles•by Staff•June 1, 2008

Pregnant bus attendant saves child from oncoming traffic

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — On April 18, Krystle Cushing, a 20-year-old bus attendant for RichLee Vans Inc., rushed out of her special-needs bus to ...

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