Transporting a Child with Disabilities

At Ride-Away Pennsylvania, we believe that all children, including those with special health care needs, should have access to proper resources for safe transportation. We can help you understand the basic guidelines for selecting restraints, positioning children into them and securing these restraints in your vehicle. We have been helping families who have children with special needs, since first opening our doors in 1986. Every family is unique and we will take the time to listen and understand your needs.

There are many factors to consider when looking for a wheelchair van to transport your child, such as:

• The rear seat is the safest place for children under the age of 12, since the impact of a deploying air bag can severely injure of kill an infant of small child. We will work with you to find the ideal position to transport your child for safety convenience.
• For a child with special needs who requires frequent observation during travel, being close to the driver or attendant may be critical. We have many options to meet your needs and will work with you to determine which will be best for you and your family.

For Example:

• A rear-entry wheelchair van might be a better option if you need a caregiver to sit next to the child or want them closer to the driver.
• If you have a lot of equipment or luggage you will need to also transport, a side-entry wheelchair van will allow for more room.
• The size of your family also will impact your decision of wheelchair van options.
• Do you require tinted windows so your child does not become too hot from the sun?
• When a child with special needs is in transit, ancillary pieces of medical equipment should be secured on the vehicle floor or underneath a vehicle seat or wheelchair in order to avoid them becoming projectiles during a crash and striking someone.
• Electrical equipment for use during transit should have a portable self-contained power source for twice the expected duration of the trip. Whenever possible, for improved safety, lead acid battery or electrically powered wheelchairs, or other mobile seating devices and respiratory systems should be converted to gel-cell or dry-cell batteries. To house and protect batteries during transportation, the use of external battery boxes is recommended.

Additional considerations can be found on our wheelchair van checklist.

Funding for wheelchair vans used by families of children with disabilities can sometimes be easier to obtain than for adults. Contact a knowledgeable and trained Ride-Away Pennsylvania Mobility Consultant to help you navigate through the funding process.