Can I request transportation in my child's IEP?

The IDEA defines transportation as a related service to mean “travel to and from school and between schools; travel in and around school buildings; and specialized equipment such as special or adapted buses, lifts, and ramps.” It can also include “travel training” as a service to help children with disabilities learn the skills they need to be able to safely move around in their home neighborhood and surrounding environment.

According to Dr. Sarah Pelangka, a school is not required to provide transportation when the student is attending their home school and/or when students in general education are also not offered transportation. Some districts will offer bus transportation to the child's home school for a fee because they’re not actually required to provide it.

Your child should have access to the same programs as the typically developing kids. If the school pushes back against providing transportation, it's possible to fight, but it could be a hill to climb, so you may also want explore other options for getting your child home. If you're a Regional Center client in the Self-Determination program, you could try using SDP funding to get your child home. Maybe a sitter or respite worker could pick the child up. Talk to your Independent Facilitator about options.

For more information about requesting related services in an IEP, see this article.