ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

THE GOAL Provide transportation to and from school for students with disabilities.

THE GOAL The student transportation should be:  accessible (able to accommodate a range of disabilities)  safe  dependable  caring  cost-effective to provide  reasonable fare

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS What are some of the transportation issues that may need to be addressed to transport disabled students?

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students are everywhere, though they may not be immediately visible or known. They may come from neighborhoods near the school or may have to travel from other parts of the city, village or nearby rural areas.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students often have one or more physical, cognitive or emotional (behavioral) issues that limit their mobility. Disabilities are not always immediately visible or apparent.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students may use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches or other mobility devices that need to be accommodated.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Wheelchairs may need to be secured to the bus floor with the rider still in the wheelchair. Or, the wheelchair may need to be folded and stored, with the student transferring to a regular seat (if possible).

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students may be frail and unstable and need seat belts in order to keep them stable in their seats or wheelchairs. Seat belts can help reduce behaviors on the vehicle. Seat belts and car seats (for infants) are important safety devices for all students, including disabled students.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students often require special attention and assistance during transportation:  going with the student between the home and the vehicle, and between the vehicle and the school  providing emotional support on the vehicle  providing behavior correction and guidance on the vehicle (sometimes the behavior may be violent or very unusual)

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students often require special attention and assistance during transportation (continued):  dealing with conflicts between students (disabled or non-disabled)  an attendant devoted solely to one disabled student may be needed  an attendant devoted to all on the bus may be warranted

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students often require special attention and assistance during transportation (continued):  handoffs may be needed  the transportation provider needs to be accountable for the disabled student

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students often require special attention and assistance during transportation (continued):  getting on and off the vehicle  storing their bags  securing medications  dealing with toileting or hygiene issues

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students may be vulnerable to harassment and abuse by:  non-disabled students  non-disabled passengers  by drivers  pedestrians when going to or from a bus stop  family members and care givers before and after the trip

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES OF DISABLED STUDENTS Disabled students may not be able to:  be on a vehicle for a long time  have a bumpy ride  deal with exhaust fumes  deal with changes in drivers, route, passengers  deal with emergencies

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? A school has to be cautious about becoming a transportation operator. Schools are educators, not transportation professionals. But, there may be no option to becoming a transportation operator.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? What are your options?

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Option #1: A school may want to enter into a contract with a willing and able provider to transport disabled (and non-disabled) students to the school.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Option #2: A school may need to obtain an accessible vehicle and contract with a transportation provider to operate and maintain the vehicle.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Option #3: A school may have to obtain and operate an accessible vehicle.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Are there other options?

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Schools need to first determine if there is any disabled transportation being offered in the area, before becoming a transportation provider.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Schools should inventory transportation services in their area:  public transit systems  private transit companies  taxis companies  local government officials  churches  social service agencies

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? It is quite possible that there are no operators that currently provide disabled student transportation or accessible transportation for adults.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? It may be that there are no operators may even be aware of or interested in accessible transportation. The school may have to educate one or more transportation providers about disabled transportation and convince them of the need for it.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? The school may have to purchase an accessible vehicle, or a regular van and make it accessible. There are some guides on how to do this. Schools may not find a business that sells accessible vehicles. There are organizations that can help out on this. Please contact the presenter for more information.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? The school can also work with families living near the school who may want to walk with disabled students (and non-disabled students) and help them safely get to and from school. The school can ensure that its own sidewalks and drop off spaces are accessible and can accommodate vehicles that are dropping off or picking up students. Work with the local government to ensure that nearby sidewalks are accessible.

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? The school can work with teachers and families who have private autos and who may be willing to transport one or more disabled students to and from school. The school can enlist volunteers from families and neighbors to ride on the vehicles, or help student come to and from the school.

FUNDING Money. This is always the issue. How can a school obtain funds to purchase and operate an accessible vehicle or purchase accessible transportation from a provider?

FUNDING Here are some potential sources of funds:  fares  philanthropic organizations  churches in Bolivia and abroad  fundraising activities among parents and staff  donations of used vehicles from transit systems and other agencies

WHAT ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL? Whatever option the school chooses, it will have to develop some basic policies and procedures to ensure that the transportation service is accessible, safe, dependable, caring, cost- effective to provide and with a reasonable fare.

THANK YOU For more information and to share ideas, please contact: Richard Schultze Engineer