TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL SEATING NEEDS

As of 1986, all 50 states had implemented mandatory child restraint laws. When used correctly, restraint systems have been proven to reduce the number of fatalities, hospitalizations, and injuries. To date, there is little information regarding compliance with restraint systems for disabled children. There are no data available on fatalities of or injuries to disabled children. This study assessed the restraint system (if any) used in the transportation of disabled children with special restraint needs. We conducted a survey to determine the restraint practices used in transporting these children to school, to our outpatient clinic, and around home. Our survey found that two thirds of the handicapped children reviewed were transported unsafely in at least one mode of transportation. We recommend that health care providers review the transportation needs of their handicapped patients in order to ensure safe transportation.