1. Transporting Kids in Wheelchairs:
Webinar:
Transporting Kids in Wheelchairs:
Nuts, Bolts, and Tips for Making It Safe
Presenters: Therese Pelicano, Frederick County Public Schools and
Carolyn Darrehmane, Public Health Nurse, CPST, and Parent
Please put your phones on MUTE in order to minimize background noise, as the presentation is being recorded so that we can archive the slides & audio on our website.
Please save questions/comments until the end of the presentation.
Complete and mail back the evaluation form and the participant information form. .

2. Wheelchair Transportation and the school bus
How to safely transport students/ Children
Therese L. Pelicano
Transportation Specialist

3. History of the wheelchair
Earliest known wheelchair: 1595
Called an invalid chair
Unknown inventor for Phillip ll of Spain
1783 Bath wheelchair was invented
Named for Bath England
Out-sold all other wheelchairs throughout the early part of the 19th Century
Was not comfortable and many improvements were made during the last half of the century

4. History of the wheelchair
Wheelchairs were not designed to be used as a seating position in a motor vehicle
Best practice – if at all possible, student/child should be transferred to the seat.
Motor vehicle seat with lap and shoulder belt
Appropriate child safety restraint system ( car seat )
Many school buses do not have lap and shoulder belts due to compartmentalization
Some students are too medically fragile to transfer

5. Start with the right equipment
USE A WC 19-APPROVED MOBILITY DEVICE
VOLUNTARY STANDARD DEVELOPED BY REHAB AND SAFETY EXPERTS
WITHSTANDS CRASH FORCES OF 30G MPH CRASH
HAS 4 CRASH-TESTED SECUREMENT POINTS- plus crash-tested lap and shoulder belt
CLEARLY MARKED ON THE MOBILITY DEVICE

6. Securing the wheelchair
Must be forward-facing
Center chair over the tracking
Attach front tiedowns 3-8 inches out from chair
Attach rear tiedowns to ideally achieve 30 to 45 degree angle of the rear tiedown straps

7. Securing the occupant
Upper belt of the occupant restraint should be coming across the clavicle
Lap portion should fit low across the pelvis
Do not use wheelchair seatbelt unless it is approved for transport

8. WC 19 or Transit option wheelchair
Designed as a seat in a motor vehicle
Crashworthy frame
No sharp edges
Some manufacturers provide a crash- tested seat belt
Lap belt will be labeled to allow connection with a vehicle-mounted shoulder belt

9. CLEARLY MARKED FOR EASY SECUREMENT
Must be able to hook the tiedown within 10 seconds or less
4 identified locations on the wheelchair

10. Labeling Established in 2012
Labeling that complies with the latest version of WC 19

11. Non WC 19 Compliant wheelchair
Attach securements to the main frame of wheelchair at welded junctions
Secure at structural points as close to the seating position as possible
Do not attach to removable parts (examples: armrests, footrests or wheels)

12. Non wc 19 compliant wheelchair
Difficult to secure tiedowns
Must choose structural securement points close to seating position

13. WC 18 COMPLIANT
WTORS – Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint system
4 tiedowns that attach to the floor of the vehicle
Have been crash-tested and passed 30 mph dynamic test
Provides both upper and lower torso restraint to protect the rider

14. Utilizing lifts to load and unload students
Brakes must be applied while on the lift
Safety belt must be engaged in order for lift to operate
All postural support devices must be used
Only wheelchair user rides up and down on lift
Power off motorized chairs while on the lift

15. Emergencies - BE PREPARED
Know your Students and their Wheelchairs
Work with physical or occupational therapist to familiarize yourself with straps, removable parts, seating position
Work with school staff to familiarize yourself with each student’s physical capabilities
Have a written plan in place for evacuation in event of an emergency
Have Emergency Slider Kit and belt cutter on vehicle at all times

16. Additional equipment

17. Additional Equipment
Slider Sheet
Belt Cutter

18. resources
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation
Safetywww.rercwts.org
or call
The Johns Hopkins Hospital 601 North Wolfe Street Meyer Baltimore, Maryland Phone:
National Rehabilitation Hospital in Partnership with Children’s National Medical Center 102 Irving Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia Phone:   

19. Thank you! .

20. That’s how we roll….
A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON USING WHEELCHAIRS FOR TRANSPORTATION
Carolyn Darrehmane, RN, cpst

21. Points to consider when choosing a new chair for your child:
Transit Ready
(4 point tiedown)
Crash Tested
Wheelchair or Stroller?
Positioning needs
Caregiver needs
Choosing a Chair
Did you know:
There are no federal safety standards for wheelchairs used for transportation

22. TYPES OF CHAIRS Manual Wheelchair Lightweight Stroller
Heavy, sturdy, better positioning from therapeutic stance
Lighter, easier to maneuver over rough terrain, poor position for child, fixed tilt

23. Secure the wheelchair USING AN ADAPTED VAN Standard tiedown
Auto retractors
Docking station
Secure the child
Secure other objects
(tray, medical equipment)
USING AN ADAPTED VAN
Did you know…
A wheelchair adaptation may add $20,000 to the price of a van, but it can be claimed as a medical deduction

24. Using a Passenger Car or Van
Use of appropriate safety seat, travel vest or vehicle seat
Transporting the empty chair –parent safety issues with lifting
Where to put other devices (tray, medical equipment)
Did you know….
Insurance may not pay for a stroller if already funding a wheelchair, but it may be funded by LISS funds or other grants or funding

25. Transporting at School
Advocate for your child when others are transporting
Verify and advocate for your child
Request transport go on the IEP

26. Transporting in Community
Transporting in community (daycare providers, religious groups, extended family)
Advocate for your child and educate other people who may be transporting your child
Transporting in Community

27. Where can parents go to get more information?
Additional Resources: Wheelchair tiedown and seatbelt placement Travelsafer.org (PDF in English and Spanish) Crash-tested chairs: rercwts.pitt.edu Equipment and stroller funding: Van funding: MD Assistive Technology Loan Program mdod.maryland.gov EZ-on Travel vests for wheelchairs: ezon.impactfulmedia.com
Where can parents go to get more information?

28. Thank you for participating today!
The evaluation form is available on our website: alternatively, we can it to call participants.
Return your completed evaluation along with the contact info page. If you want to order materials, complete this form.
1 CEU credit for CPSTs is available for participants who return their completed evaluation form.
The full presentation will be available on our website in a couple of weeks in case you wish to re-visit it, or refer a colleague to it.