Both legally and ethically, special needs transportation must be taken seriously within a school bus system. Special needs students are guaranteed access to services, even if that access is a bit inconvenient for the district. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that bus routing software can make the process easier, while still maintaining safety for any students with special needs.
1 - Ensure your transportation software has their IEPs
Your bus routing software should always be connected to your student information system, so it can stay updated on the needs of the full student ridership. Beyond ensuring that data is available for routing needs, it's also going to be available to your drivers so that they'll know every student's needs.
2 - Consider having a dedicated bus
If you have more than a handful of students on IEPs who need special transportation accommodations, giving them their own route is often a good idea. This allows the driver and attendant(s) to focus on their needs, while also being able to deliver all your other student passengers more quickly. Routing software can easily create routes intended for vans or smaller buses, to keep this as efficient as possible.
3 - Always mandate same-side dropoffs
In general, it's a good idea to drop students off on the correct side of the road, so they don't have to cross the street. However, this is much more important for disabled students. They should be picked up and dropped off as close to their final destination as is reasonably possible, right in front of their home if you can.
4 - Be aware of mobility obstacles
If you have mobility-challenged students, such as those in wheelchairs, it's a good idea to directly survey their pickup/dropoff site to make sure they won't have any issues getting on or off the bus. Likewise, be sure that any special hardware like a wheelchair lift won't have issues clearing the curb or have other obstacles in the way.
5 - Use GPS tracking
Having GPS tracking systems on your buses is a good idea for numerous reasons. However, it's especially important on buses that have one or more special-needs students. If something goes wrong during the route, such as an accident, you want to know ASAP. This speeds up response times, and also ensures you'll be able to tell responders about any students who may need extra assistance.
BusBoss has over 25 years' experience helping districts streamline their districts, cutting costs and improving efficiency, without sacrificing safety. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with special needs transportation.
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PRESIDENT
Sonia has been involved with BusBoss since the late 1990’s, and has personally overseen many projects for various customers ranging from large urban and suburban districts to smaller rural school districts from all over the country.