D&L's-mommy
New member
My special needs 10 year old (physical and intellectual disabilities) is taking a 12 passenger van to and from school, which is provided by the district. I have several major concerns about the safety of the vehicle.
1. There is not adequate head support provided, the top of the vehicle seat back barely comes to ds' occipital bone, plus he has 2 brain malformations which make whip lash even more dangerous
2. The seat belts are very twisted, I've gotten on the van several times to try to untwist them, but they are so badly twisted I can't get them to lay flat
3. The shoulder belt does not retract. Ds is able to snug up the lap belt (it takes a bit of force since the belts are quite stiff) but since the belt does not retract properly it just hangs off his torso (the retractor is located on the floor behind the seat)
4. Ds uses an incognito in our vehicles, but he is unable to do the clips himself, and the drivers do not understand my concern so he's been going without a booster. He is very close to 5 stepping in this vehicle ( I can feel the top of his hip bones above the top of the lap belt) but when he comes home the seat belt is very loose since no one takes the time to make sure he is tightening it, I've tried a standard booster (so he doesn't have to deal with the clips) but without it being latched into place he tips over (latch is not available). I remind him everyday to sit back, and tighten his belt but he needs help from an adult, and sitting properly does not remedy the safety issues of the vehicle.
I plan to call the school and voice my concerns, but I'm wondering how much of a day I actually get. Do I have a right to "nicely demand" a different vehicle? I can drive him to school, but not home, however it's 30 mjnutes away and the expense of has is prohibitive. Plus, he enjoys riding in the school van, it provides him a chance to socialize and be a little independent. So I hate to take this away from him, so I'm hoping to work something out. Any thoughts or suggestions?
1. There is not adequate head support provided, the top of the vehicle seat back barely comes to ds' occipital bone, plus he has 2 brain malformations which make whip lash even more dangerous
2. The seat belts are very twisted, I've gotten on the van several times to try to untwist them, but they are so badly twisted I can't get them to lay flat
3. The shoulder belt does not retract. Ds is able to snug up the lap belt (it takes a bit of force since the belts are quite stiff) but since the belt does not retract properly it just hangs off his torso (the retractor is located on the floor behind the seat)
4. Ds uses an incognito in our vehicles, but he is unable to do the clips himself, and the drivers do not understand my concern so he's been going without a booster. He is very close to 5 stepping in this vehicle ( I can feel the top of his hip bones above the top of the lap belt) but when he comes home the seat belt is very loose since no one takes the time to make sure he is tightening it, I've tried a standard booster (so he doesn't have to deal with the clips) but without it being latched into place he tips over (latch is not available). I remind him everyday to sit back, and tighten his belt but he needs help from an adult, and sitting properly does not remedy the safety issues of the vehicle.
I plan to call the school and voice my concerns, but I'm wondering how much of a day I actually get. Do I have a right to "nicely demand" a different vehicle? I can drive him to school, but not home, however it's 30 mjnutes away and the expense of has is prohibitive. Plus, he enjoys riding in the school van, it provides him a chance to socialize and be a little independent. So I hate to take this away from him, so I'm hoping to work something out. Any thoughts or suggestions?