Page 62 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

2. Some students may have a chest support. If the wheelchair has a tray, detach it from the
wheelchair and secure it in the bus.
3. Position the wheelchair on the lift with the student facing out. Back the wheelchair onto the
lift. Be sure to place the wheelchair far enough to the back of the lift for the footrests to clear
the raised safety guard on the front of the lift.
4. Lock both of the wheel locks on the wheelchair
5. Ensure that the student’s arms and legs are not hanging off the chair. Be sure there is
clearance on all sides of the student’s wheelchair.
6. Before raising (or lowering) the lift, be sure that everyone is out of the way
7. An adult should stand beside the lift on the ground
8. The adult on the ground should grip the wheelchair frame
9. Raise the lift. An adult on the ground should maintain a grip on the wheelchair frame while
the lift is being raised (preferably two adults for heavy chairs). The adult inside the bus should
grasp the push handle as soon as they can safely reach it.
10. Unlock the wheel locks and back the student from the lift onto the bus.
11. Safely guide the wheelchair onto the bus and into a forward facing position for securement.

Unloading – Manual Wheelchair

1. Follow steps 1-6 under Loading – Manual Wheelchair above
2. Push the student’s wheelchair forward facing outside onto the lift platform
3. Lock both wheels
4. One or two adults are to stand on the ground beside the lift and grip the wheelchair frame as
the lift if lowered
5. Lower the lift until it touches the ground
6. Release the button as soon as the lift touches the ground to prevent damage to the lift
7. Unlock the wheel locks and safely guide it off the lift

Parents, guardians, caretakers and school personnel should assist with the loading and unloading
process.

Wheelchair Securement Procedures

Positioning the Wheelchair on the Bus

 Position the wheelchair with the student facing toward the bus
 Center the wheelchair with the wheels between the outer and inner floor tracks or plates
 Lock the wheelchair wheel locks/brakes and/or turn off the power Securing the Front Straps

In most cases it is easier to first hook up the front wheelchair securement straps. The front straps
hook into the outer tracks. The angle of the straps should be between 40 degrees and 60 degrees
from the chair to the floor.

 Hook the upper end of the securement strap to the main frame of the wheelchair as close to the
seat as possible

Page 62 of 149
Wheelchair Operation