Bus seat belt laws mostly exclude wheelchairs – By John Seewer- The Associated Press
John Seewer, Correspondent
Associated Press, Toledo
Name of Article
541 N. Superior St.
Toledo, OH 43614
Phone: 419-255-7113
Website:
http://www.ap.org/ohio/
ABC News /US Wire:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=10606203
John Seewer, Correspondent, Associated Press is a very compassionate, caring and courageous news reporter whose not afraid of trying to make the world a better place. John’s recent news story which you can read by clicking on
‘Bus seat belt laws mostly exclude wheelchairs’ By John Seewer / Associated Press / May 10, 2010 clearly demonstrates the need for our country to increase Transportation Safety for Wheelchair-seated Travelers. It is a MUST READ for all Legislators, Disability Providers, Disability Advocates and Persons with Disabilities.
John Seewer first contacted me in February. He told my mom and me about a tragic accident that occurred in Ohio in which four people were killed; one of the four people killed was seated in a wheelchair yet the van’s occupant restraint system was not used. You can read more about this tragic accident by clicking on my post Tragic Ohio Accident for Wheelchair Passengers (AP).
John covered this heartbreaking story. During his research, he became concerned and troubled he couldn’t find a federal or state law regarding the safety of wheelchair-seated passengers.
John contacted me because he read my W/C Passenger Safety page which I put on my website after I was seriously injured in an auto accident and discovered there is no federal or state law regarding the safety of wheelchair passengers. The only state we found had a law for wheelchair passengers was N.J.
John was very interested in hearing about our efforts to increase transportation safety for people in wheelchairs which you can read by clicking my page W/C Passenger Safety. This page has vital information we’ve learned from Dr. Lawrence W. Schneider, Director, RERC WTS who has been working diligently for more than two decades to improve transportation safety for wheelchair users; information about the MA legislation filed by my State Representative Steve Canessa and my State Senator Marc Pacheco House 3785 and Senate 1948: “An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs” which includes training that is critical to safety; the N.J wheelchair legislation; how our Federal Government can help; and how YOU can help.
Many news reporters write sensational stories and then just move on to the next story which gets the most public attention. John Seewer is different. He just couldn’t let this story drop. He realized something is not right. He cared enough to investigate further.
John had the courage to tackle the involved subject of wheelchair passenger safety. He thoroughly researched the issues; spoke with experts, legislators, police officers, advocates and families of persons killed or injured in wheelchair accidents; and researched all 50 state seatbelt laws.
After in-depth investigation John found ONLY 5 states other than N.J. have a law specifically requiring wheelchair tie downs and occupant restraints; yet some of these state laws don’t require training which is critical for wheelchair passenger safety. I find it shocking that only 6 of our 50 states have legislation to protect us wheelchair-seated travelers and hope it’s just an oversight.
I’m very thankful John Seewer took the time to research this serious issue and write this very important story which will help bring about public awareness of the need to Increase Transportation Safety for Wheelchair Passengers. I’m extremely grateful John cared enough to try to make the world a safer place for people in wheelchairs.
I truly hope John’s article brings about positive changes and stirs up some legislators to make laws in their states that improve upon transportation safety for people in wheelchairs. Their efforts may well prevent unnecessary tragedies.
John Seewer, Correspondent with the Associated Press in Ohio deserves FIVE STARS PLUS for helping to make the world more sensitive, respectful, accessible and SAFER to all. Our world needs more compassionate, caring and thoughtful news reporters like John Seewer.
Thank You John!
May 10th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Kenny, Your efforts to increase transportation safety for wheelchair passengers is admirable. I hope the Massachusetts legislation not only passes but becomes a model for all our states! Kudos to you!!
May 10th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Kenny, I am very PROUD of you. Your efforts have gone National! Washington Post is impressive!! Love You, Auntie Nana
May 11th, 2010 at 12:07 am
[...] Bus seat belt laws mostly exclude wheelchairs By John Seewer (AP) [...]
May 11th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Another impressive article, Kenny! Your work is so important!
May 12th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
[...] Bus seat belt laws mostly exclude wheelchairs – Bу John Seewer- Thе Associated Press [...]
May 12th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Hi Kenny, I just want to tell you that I’ve been following your wonderful website for quite awhile and think you’re an inspiring guy. It amazes me that someone who has been through so many ordeals has the spirit and spunk you do to advocate for others with disabilities plus advocate for birds too! God Bless You!
May 14th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hi Kenny, You definitely have a wonderful website! It attracted the attentin of John Seewer of the Associated Press. And he decided to write the article about wheelchairs being excluded in laws. John Seewer deserves five stars for the article. I sent it to all of the legislators in NJ who supported Stephen’s Law (wheelchair tie downs and occupant securement). I let them know that it needs to include buses and that staff training in how to use the belts properly is also needed in a law!
I have to thank John Seewer publicly also. The article will further open our legislator’s eyes to the fact that more work needs to be done. THANK YOU JOHN!
May 14th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Hi Marge, I do hope MA passes the legislation and hope NJ and all other states use it as a MODEL especially since it provides for needed training!! You’ve done a fantastic job advocating for transportation safety for wheelchair users in NJ!! Thank You!
October 22nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Excellent article again. I wish you all the best. I hope that the next step goes well. You have our support!
December 14th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Dear Readers,
Check out the comment posted ( see below) on November of 2010 on John Seewer’s article regarding wheelchair transportation safety.
The commenter is Absolutely Right – There should be a National Law regarding wheelchair transportation safety!!
Kenny and Company
———————-
comment posted – http://abcnews.go.com/US/comments?type=story&id=10606203
“On the 25th of March 2010 my wife slipped out from under the extremely loose bus seat and shoulder belt on a #### City Mini bus coming back from dialysis. #### had improperly placed her in the wheelchair to begin with without the support board under the wheelchair leg extensions allowing her legs to drop down through the pillow to the floor when the bus stopped abruptly rather than hit a car that pulled out in front of it. This placed her body in a 45% angle and she slid out from under the bus belt to the floor and up to the motor cover breaking her right leg landing on a wheelchair tie down. She already had her left leg broke and casted but the accident renewed the damage and it needed to be recasted and her recovery took an additional three months. Had the wheelchair had a separate lap belt she would have stayed in also but the Care center would not allow seat belts in wheelchairs. We have such strict laws regarding children yet there is no protection for the elderly and handicaped who are not able to recover as quickly as children. Because of this my wife passed away 1 Sept 2010. It is high time we get a national law regarding this problem.”
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gbajkhb Nov-3