Dealing with wheelchairs

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Dealing with wheelchairs
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Some basics

• There are so many different wheelchairs
• Talk with Parents and Physical Therapists
• Remembering the basics will prove very beneficial
• Know your vehicles

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More importantly know your passengers
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Tips for Lift Use

• Load and unload on a flat surface
• Load and unload in a safe spot
• i.e. not into traffic
• i.e. not where someone could get
• hurt outside the vehicle
• Secure the bus completely
• Set the parking brake
• Turn off the vehicle (if possible)

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On the lift

• Check the passengers restraint system before
  putting them on the lift
• Position the passenger and the chair close to the
  bus and facing out
• Fasten the safety belt if so equipped

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On the lift

• Make sure the passengers hands are on their laps
• The Driver or the Assistant should have their
  hand on the wheelchair at all times when the
  passenger is on the lift
• The chairs brakes must be set

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When operating the lift

• Know the weight limitations
• Stand to the side
• Do not stand under it watch your toes
• Make sure the safety lip is in the correct
  position raised when going up and down
• Secure the door so it does not close on you or
  the passenger

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When operating the lift

• Watch the head clearance
• Do not ride the lift with the passenger
• Remember to close the door before moving the
  vehicle

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Securing the passenger and chair

• Review the manufacturers material on the
  securement devices they usually have free
  instructional videos
• Also obtain any information you can about the
  wheelchair
• Review the equipment in the vehicle

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• Put all the information
• One part wheelchair
• One part securement devices
• One part the vehicle and
• Three parts the passenger
• Read and come up with the best plan
• Post it in the vehicle

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Securing the wheelchair

• Attach the straps to points on the main frame
  preferably near a welded spot
• Never attach to a removable part, parts the fold,
  or to the wheel
• Some newer chairs have rings to attach straps to

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Securing the wheelchair

• You can mark the correct points with colored tape
• Rear straps should be at a 30 to 45 degree angle
• Front straps should be at a 40 to 60 degree angle
• Use the lap shoulder straps

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Angles
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A few other tips

• Lap trays should be removed during the ride if
  possible
• Turn off the power with electric chairs
• With passengers over 275 pounds, two additional
  rear straps should be used
• Do a shake test after securing the chair

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Shake test

• Without the brakes set, shake the wheelchair to
  make sure it does not move on the floor. You
  want to make sure you secured everything
  properly.

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Emergency information

• Strap cutters
• Evacuation plan
• Emergency exits
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid and body fluid kits
• Triangles
• Emergency contacts and special
• concerns for each passenger
• Fire blankets

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What if the lift does not work?
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Resources

• www.dps.state.mn.us
• www.ptsi.org
• State Special Needs Committee
• Meets once a month to deal with transportation of
  special needs students
• Current Chairperson is Lori Jonason with
  Minnetonka Schools ljonason_at_minnetonka.k12.mn.us
  
• runningfreenow_at_yahoo.com (Sherrys email)