The information below is for parents of children in kindergarten or older. Visit our pre-school education services page for preschool special education and Early Intervention services.
What is it?
NYCPS provides specialized transportation to students whose Individual Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans recommend this service or to other students with disabilities who cannot take public transportation.
When is it provided?
Most students with IEPs travel to and from school in the same manner as students without IEPs. An IEP team may recommend specialized transportation for children whose documented needs affect their ability to travel to or from school. These needs can be:
- Emotional
- Behavioral
- Cognitive or communication
- Physical or medical
Some children may also require additional transportation accommodations to travel safely to and from school. These can include:
- 1:1 transportation paraprofessionals
- Medical/nursing services
- Travel time limitations
- Climate control
- Safety vests
- Car seats
How do I request specialized transportation services?
If your child has, or will have, an IEP
Your child’s school-based or CSE IEP team will address transportation needs as part of the Initial and Annual Review process of your child’s IEP. Please discuss any transportation-related concerns with your child’s IEP team. The IEP team will provide you with any necessary paperwork to complete as part of the review process, including:
- Authorization for Release of Medical Information Pursuant to HIPAA: This is completed and signed by you.
Medial Accommodations Request Form (MARF): This is completed and signed by your child’s doctor. It must explain the need for any medical accommodation your child may require while traveling to school.
Medical Administration Form(s)(MAFs): An MAF describes the specific treatment your child needs to receive while in transit. It must be completed and signed by your child’s medical provider in order for 1:1 nursing services on the bus to be implemented. The general MAF form and forms required for specific medical conditions are available on the health services website under “Health Services Forms.”
Please note: documentation is generally not required if a student travels in a wheelchair, however information regarding device specifications may be requested by the Office of Pupil Transportation if the student uses non-standard medical equipment such as personalized electric wheelchairs or adaptive strollers.
You can also get these forms on the Health Forms and Documents page on the Infohub.
If you would like the IEP team to consider additional medical documentation, you should provide it as far in advance of the IEP meeting as possible.
A physician from the Office of School Health (OSH) may review your request for specialized transportation accommodations. The OSH physician may participate in your child's IEP meeting for the part of the meeting in which transportation is discussed. You may also request that a DOE transportation specialist attend the meeting as well.
If your child does not have an IEP:
If your child does not have an IEP, refer to the general education grade/distance eligibility chart to determine which type of transportation your child will receive to his/her current school. If your child cannot use that method of transportation due to a temporary or permanent disability, work with your school to complete the appropriate transportation exception request.
For more information on transportation services, including how to access your student's school bus route, please visit our transportation web page.