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.

.

Whee

lchai

r Tra

nspor

tatio

n

and th

e sc

hool b

us

How to

saf

ely

tran

spor

t stu

dents

/ Child

ren

Therese L. PelicanoTransportation Specialist

History of the wheelchairEarliest known wheelchair: 1595Called an invalid chairUnknown inventor for Phillip ll of Spain

1783 Bath wheelchair was inventedNamed for Bath EnglandOut-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

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

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 -- 30 MPH CRASH

HAS 4 CRASH-TESTED SECUREMENT POINTS- plus crash-tested lap and shoulder belt

CLEARLY MARKED ON THE MOBILITY DEVICE

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

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

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

CLEARLY MARKED FOR EASY SECUREMENT

• Must be able to hook the tiedown within 10 seconds or less

• 4 identified locations on the wheelchair

Labeling

• Established in 2012

• Labeling that complies with the latest version of WC 19

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)

Non wc 19 compliant wheelchair

• Difficult to secure tiedowns

• Must choose structural securement points close to seating position

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

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

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

Additional equipment

Additional Equipment

• Slider Sheet

• Belt Cutter

resources

• University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute www.travelsafer.org

• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation

• Safetywww.rercwts.org

• www.kennedykrieger.org or call 888-554-2080

• The Johns Hopkins Hospital 601 North Wolfe Street Meyer 1-130 Baltimore, Maryland 21287 Phone: 410-614-3234

• National Rehabilitation Hospital in Partnership with Children’s National Medical Center102 Irving Street, NWWashington, District of Columbia 20010Phone: 202-877-1000 

Than

k yo

u!

.

A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON USING WHEELCHAIRS FOR

TRANSPORTATION

Carolyn Darrehmane, RN, cpst

That’s how we roll….

Choosing aChair

Did you know:

There are no federal safety standards for wheelchairs used for transportation

Points to consider when choosing a new chair for your child:

Transit Ready (4 point tiedown)

Crash Tested

Wheelchair or Stroller?Positioning needsCaregiver needs

Manual WheelchairManual Wheelchair Lightweight StrollerLightweight Stroller

Heavy, sturdy, better positioning from therapeutic stance

TYPES OF CHAIRS

Lighter, easier to maneuver over rough terrain, poor position for child, fixed tilt

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

Secure the wheelchairStandard tiedown

Auto retractorsDocking station

Secure the child

Secure other objects (tray, medical equipment)

Using a Passenger Car or Van

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

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)

Transporting at School

Advocate for your child when others are transporting

Verify and advocate for your child

Request transport go on the IEP

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

Additional Resources:

Wheelchair tiedown and seatbelt placement Travelsafer.org (PDF in English and Spanish)

Crash-tested chairs: rercwts.pitt.edu

Equipment and stroller funding: http://dda.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/liss.aspx

Van funding:MD Assistive Technology Loan Programmdod.maryland.gov

http://www.braunability.com/wheelchair-van-grants-funds/

EZ-on Travel vests for wheelchairs:ezon.impactfulmedia.com

Where can parents go to get more information?

Thank you for participating today!

• The evaluation form is available on our website: http://www.miemss.org/EMSCwww/CPSHome.htm; alternatively, we can email 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.