On July 17, 2023, my daughter Fajr Atiya Williams rode a public-school bus healthy and alive and somehow ended up brain dead less than an hour later. Fajr had Emanuel Syndrome which is a rare chromosome disorder that left her non-verbal and wheelchair bound. She was asphyxiated by the harness of her wheelchair while the bus aid was sitting at the front of the bus on her cell phone with (2) ear buds in her ears.  Special Education children are supposed to be taken care of the entire bus ride to and from school. We expect our children to not be ignored as if they mean nothing. The driver nor the bus aid noticed my Fajr pleading for help! No one noticed until it was too late!

I am coming here as an outcry for change in the way all children are transported within all school districts not just for special needs. We need to rally together and fight for our rights. One of them being the safety of transportation. If things stay the same this could happen to another child leaving us all devastated once again. 

We can't wait for change. Change needs to happen NOW! I am proposing "Fajr's Law", that will entail but not limited to all bus drivers and aides to be trained in CPR as well as trained to handle any adaptive equipment a child may have. Training to recognize all signs of distress and to have an emergency plan in place for emergencies. 

Help ME, help all of you that have children who take school transportation as well as children with special needs.

Proposed “Fajr’s Law”

Fajr's Law seeks to implement comprehensive safety measures for all students, particularly those with special needs, traveling on school buses. It will include stricter regulations on bus aides' use of electronic devices during work hours, enhanced training programs for drivers and attendants to address the unique needs of special education students, and regular inspections of safety equipment on school buses to prevent malfunctions that could endanger students' lives. In the name of justice, safety of transportation, and equality amongst special education students and all abled-bodied students worldwide!

Safety of transportation calls for all Boards of Education to actually and fully vet Transportation Companies before allowing them to bus our children. Full transparency of the awarding of contract processes with parents. Boards should ensure full training courses for all drivers and aides according to NJ State Statutes NJSA 18A:39-19.2 and N.J.A.C 6A:27-11.3. In addition, all drivers and aides should be trained in CPR and have current certifications on file for record keeping.  A budget could be kept in place to implement newer technology-driven safety devices for added reassurance. Furthermore, the State of NJ monitors Transportation Districts for safety compliance monthly or as needed.

Equality includes but is not limited to ensuring more opportunities for special needs children to be included in the general education environment. Inclusion in general academics and extracurricular activities. There should be better communication with parents regarding programs, processes, and reporting of services. More support and accommodations are needed. There should be more data-driven IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals and said goals monitored closely. There should be more training for special education teachers, support staff, special staff, and all general education teachers alike. “In summer of 2022, Franklin Twp. Schools only provided (1) special education program that we knew of. The program was 4 times a week, for 4 weeks and for half a day. Whereas for able-bodied children they have multiple camps, programs, full days and with morning & aftercare offered.”, Najmah stated.

• Cell phones must be for emergency use only. This is not a time for bus staff to check email, text friends, or scroll through social media. Their full attention must be on the students they are transporting. Headphones should never be used by any bus staff. Violation of this should be grounds for dismissal.
• All bus staff must be trained for emergencies. They should be certified in CPR. They should have the necessary information about the needs of the students on their route.
• Bus aides should seat themselves on the bus so they can best see all the students at all times. This will allow them to immediately act should they see a student in distress. 
• Bus staff should position students on the bus according to their needs. For example, if a child with autism engages in behaviors it is important to seat the child strategically to ensure that child’s safety and that of other students.
• Bus staff should be competent in the use of wheelchair lifts and tie-downs. If a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a car seat or harness, staff should be competent in the installation and use of these. The use of these must be in the child’s IEP.
• Transportation companies must remain open so that should there be a problem like a bus that is late arriving home a parent can call and speak to a person who can respond to the concern.
• Transportation companies must have a way to reach their drivers at all times.

Najmah Nash is urging every concerned citizen to sign the petition in support of Fajr's Law, which will be delivered to local and state authorities to spur legislative action. By joining forces, we can honor Fajr's memory and ensure that her tragic death was not in vain. See hashtags: TikTok #fajrwilliams (258.7K Views), #fajrawilliams (1.9M Views), #justiceforfajrwilliams (69.3K views).