This presentation is intended as a guide for a person who is just beginning in the area of Pupil Transportation Services or has had limited experience with transportation for students with special needs. We might want to call this presentation Special Needs Transportation 101.

The title of my presentation originally was "Fundamentals of Special Needs Transportation".
I was reminded that the transportation did not have 'special needs'. Rather, the students have 'special needs'. One bus need not be any different from another and should be accessible to all students."

Definition of Terms

The basis of all educational law in this country is a Free, Appropriate, Public Education, (FAPE) for all children, regardless of race, disability, etc.

FAPE - Free, Appropriate, Public Education. Every child in this country is entitled to a free, public education, is that it be "appropriate". It must meet the needs of the individual child. And if the child has a disability or unique special needs, we should see that reasonable goals and accommodations are made to insure that the child is able to develop to his/her fullest potential.

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Newly reauthorized as P.L. 105-17 titled "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997". Previously referred to as P.L. 94-142. This is the Federal statutory requirement governing the education of children with disabilities. In March of this year, the Department of Education published the regulations [34 CFR Parts 300 & 303] to assist states with the education of children with disabilities and the Early Intervention programs for Infants and Toddlers with disabilities.

Related Service - ".means transportation.and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education." Transportation - Under Part B of the IDEA, transportation is listed as the first 'related service'. It includes travel to and from school; travel in and around school buildings; and any specialization or adaptation that may be required to provide transportation to a student with special needs.

IEP - Individualized Education Program - This is a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with the law and regulations of the IDEA.

IFSP - Individualized Family Service Plan - This is a written statement for an infant or toddler with a disability. This includes steps to be taken to assist in the transition of an infant/toddler under Part C of the IDEA into a preschool program under Part B of the IDEA

MDC - Multi-disciplinary Conference. This conference-type gathering of information is unique to each state. It is a method by which a Local Education Agency (LEA) can collect and discuss information about a student suspected of having a disability. The gathering is used to assist with determination placement if it is determined that the child has a disability. No longer necessary under the new IDEA.

LRE - Least Restrictive Environment. Requirements that each public agency ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are nondisabled. Additionally, students with disabilities shall participate with nondisabled students in nonacademic activities and services, including transportation services to the maximum extent appropriate.

FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. For student transportation personnel, this means that a educational agency (that's you, school) may disclose personally identifiable information to appropriate parties (that's us in transportation) in connection with an emergency.

Definition of Disabilities: Autism; Deaf-Blind; Deafness, Emotional disturbance; Hearing impairment; Mental retardation, (including EMH [educable mentally handicapped] and TMH [trainable mentally handicapped]); Multiple disabilities; Orthopedic impairment; Other health impairment (which now includes ADD/ADHD); Specific learning disability; Speech and language impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury; and Visual Impairment. The significant differences between the terms: "children with disabilities and "children with special needs".

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. At the core of this act is the mandate that requires programs, facilities and activities supported with federal funds be accessible to all persons with disabilities. This is the same idea behind the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Section 1983 - Civil action for deprivation of rights. Under this law, civil action can be brought personally against any person who deprives a person of their civil rights. This law, combined with a violation of Section 504, can personally involve school staff and/or administrators.

Part 303 - of the Reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997 contains the regulations for early intervention programs for infants with disabilities. This is a separate part from Part 300, which provides assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities.

OTHER TOPICS OF DISCUSSION-- · Managing the Bus Team - driver, attendant, school staff, parent(s); including training the bus team · Legal implications of accidents or injury related to transportation · Issues related to the transportation of students with extreme medical conditions · Managing student behavior on the bus · Contracting for student t