School bus safety doesn’t stop at the wheelchair lift or the steps. In this episode of The Route, Amanda Huggett sits down with Brianna Paauwe, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user bringing lived experience to an industry that impacts students every day.
Paauwe breaks down what “good” wheelchair securement looks like from a rider’s point of view, why refresher training matters (not just one-and-done onboarding), and how small shifts in communication can protect safety and promote dignity. Plus, get the inside scoop on AMF Bruns’ new podcast, Beyond Mobility, created to broaden conversations around mobility, independence, and access.
What will you learn in this episode?
- Why securement safety is often an application and training issue (not just equipment).
- What drivers, aides, and routers should understand about time, angles, and consistency.
- Simple ways to support rider dignity through communication and autonomy.
- Why “one size fits all” approach doesn’t apply.
- Why there’s hope for the future of transportation mobility and how we can get there together.
Can’t-Miss Links
🎧 Beyond Mobility podcast
🧰 AMF Bruns training resources: AMF Bruns Learning Campus
🏆Nominate for the National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year Award
👉 Keeping Up With Special-Needs Training & Standards: What Districts Need To Know in 2026
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About The Route
The Route is a monthly video and podcast series hosted by School Bus Fleet and sponsored by IC Bus, proudly offering vehicles and solutions that are ahead of their class.
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