SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Bus driver recommends student for sports wheelchair

Jordan Avis receives the new wheelchair from a foundation that raises money to benefit special-needs students during an assembly at his high school. Avis' school bus driver alerted the foundation that Avis' regular wheelchair, which he was using while playing basketball, was falling apart.

October 3, 2011
1 min to read


OGDEN, Utah — A wheelchair-bound basketball player who attends high school here was given a top-of-the-line basketball wheelchair after his school bus driver brought him to the attention of the Weber School Foundation, which raises money to benefit special-needs students.

The driver reported to the foundation that Jordan Avis' regular wheelchair was falling apart, the Standard-Examiner reports. Avis, who was born with spina bifida, had been using his regular chair to play basketball. He received the new chair as a surprise at his school's Homecoming Royalty assembly on Thursday.

Ad Loading...

The wheelchair is from Invacare Corp., a sports chair manufacturer. The company gave the Weber School Foundation a 50-percent discount on the chair after it was contacted by Phil Swanson, who is a member of the foundation.

Avis will use his new chair to play basketball so that he can keep his regular chair in better condition, according to the Standard-Examiner.

More Special Needs Transportation

Students walking away from a school bus with a driver in the background, representing efforts to improve student behavior support and safety in school transportation programs.

First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas

First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.

Read More →
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
SponsoredFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
the route thumbnail with the SBF logo and a photo of Brianna Pauwee
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettFebruary 13, 2026

The Lived-Experience Gap in Mobility Tech: An Expert Take on Safe Student Transportation

Brianna Pauwee, a product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user, drops in to The Route to share practical securement and training insights, plus the story behind the new “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredFebruary 11, 2026

What Transportation Gets Wrong About Wheelchair Securement (And How to Fix It)

Brianna Pauwee, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user shares practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Composite image showing school transportation professionals participating in special-needs training sessions, including hands-on demonstrations and classroom instruction, with a school bus visible in

Keeping Up With Special-Needs Training & Standards: What Districts Need To Know in 2026

As the number of students with disabilities and IEPs rises nationwide, transportation teams face growing pressure to stay compliant, confident, and trained. Explore what’s evolving and how to stay on top of it all.

Read More →
School Transportation
SponsoredFebruary 9, 2026

How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps

Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
driver of the year award logo against a dark blue backdrop with text that says "Nominations Now Open" and the AMF Bruns and School Bus Fleet logos
Special Needs Transportationby StaffFebruary 5, 2026

Announcing 2026 Special-Needs Driver of the Year Nominations

Honoring the exemplary accomplishments of school bus drivers transporting students with disabilities, AMF Bruns of America’s ninth annual National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year Award series is open for nominations!

Read More →
Graphic showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

Fleet Software ROI: Transforming School Transportation

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →