Most students with motor impairments may need additional support and accommodations while making use of Portland Public Schools (PPS) provided transportation. This transportation may be on a regular school bus, a wheelchair lift bus, a small bus, or sedan/van transportation. Most of the students who require additional equipment during school transportation may also require adult support during the on/off-boarding process with PPS-provided transportation. Your school-based physical therapist (PT) is a valuable source to assist in finding the safest mode of transportation for your student with mobility needs.

The school-based PT will be able to assist with the following:

• Assess and identify students that may benefit from additional transportation support.

• Assess and identify the need for adult support during the on/off-boarding process.

• Identify the need for additional support/devices in order for safe seating accommodations.

• Collaborate with the school team and Transportation Department to determine what seating device would benefit the student the most.

• Collaborate with the school team/Transportation in measuring the student to ensure that the correct size of seating device is provided.

• Provide staff training regarding on/off-boarding school transportation.

• Provide staff training regarding the transfer of students between mobility devices and bus/transportation seats.

Some options for safe seating during school-provided transportation may include:

• Student provided power/manual wheelchairs. (The following needs to be in place before the student in a wheelchair is picked up by PPS Transportation: working brakes/seat belts to secure students to the chair, footrests.)

• PPS provided car seats, adapted car seats, built-in car seats/boosters (depending on the type of vehicle used).

• Safety support system

• Seat belts

PPS Transportation is now also able to provide support for service animals that are accompanying students on PPS transportation.