Protocol

1. A student has a leg or hip injury and needs to use crutches or has a cast of some type.
2. Nursing to notify transportation of student injury and need for adaptive equipment (crutches/wheelchairs, etc.)
3. The student cannot ride the bus until a doctor gives permission for the student to go up and down the bus steps.
4. Medical notes from a personal care physician must be renewed annually.
5. The doctor provides the note to the school nurse, the school nurse sends transportation a copy of the note.
6. If a wheelchair, crutches, walker, cane, etc. is required for transport, the parent works with the personal care physician to obtain the item specific to the need of the student.*
7. Transportation is arranged.
8. If a student was receiving special transportation because of an injury or medical need, the student cannot return to regular transportation until a clearance note is received from the doctor.**
9. Once clearance is received by the doctor the student will return to transportation with no restrictions. 

*Wheelchairs meet specific needs of the child and meet WC19 standards for transport. Additionally, if a wheelchair comes equipped with a securement belt, it must be used. The securement strap serves two purposes — upper body support as well as keeping the individual in the wheelchair secure while on the lift.

**After the student’s cast is removed, he or she cannot be transported without a wheelchair until a doctor’s note is received stating he or she can resume climbing up and down the bus steps.