Dare County Schools

To ensure that Dare County Schools bus drivers and monitors continue to use best practices when transporting students with disabilities, Transportation Director David Twiddy works with district lead physical therapist Dr. Donna Wells to provide training for transportation staff ‑ from left on August 18 at Manteo Middle School ‑ Marilyn Byrnes, Karen Daniels, Paul Kelly, James Falcomer, Debra Gibbs, Carolyn Savage, Mary Castellow, Debbie Sullivan, Dr. Wells, Audrey Brewer and Sondra Ray.

Wells and Twiddy provided the training through classroom lecture, demonstrations, and hands on practice with special equipment that includes bus lifts, strapping, and specialized seats.  The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's manual ‑ produced through a consortium of field professionals ‑ and latest best practices were used for this ongoing training for transportation staff. Wells says that the hardware has vastly improved, making it easier to secure students and wheelchairs. She credits Twiddy with providing some of the best equipment to make the transition as safe and smooth for the students and efficient as possible for staff. Still, she notes, it does take more time to settle and secure students who need support; she asks that drivers be patient when buses have to remain stopped a little longer than usual to accommodate these safety measures.

Photo: David Twiddy