My son, who uses a wheelchair, was eager to attend the Special Olympics, an event he had been looking forward to for months. However, on the day of the event, he was left behind at school, waiting over 45 minutes for the designated wheelchair-accessible bus. This isn't the first time either—just a week later, it happened again for a school trip to the museum. Despite notifying the bus barn ahead of time, no immediate assistance was available. Every child deserves equal access to education and extracurricular activities without feeling singled out or delayed.

Currently, many schools rely on shared or district-provided wheelchair-accessible transportation, which often results in significant wait times and frustration for students and parents alike. For events where children are enthusiastic and ready to engage, being left waiting on the sidelines can be disheartening and isolating.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics states that approximately 8% of all K-12 students in the U.S. have some form of disability. This statistic reflects a considerable number of students who could benefit from improved transportation policies.

Therefore, we urge school districts, education boards, and state legislatures to mandate every elementary, middle, and high school—public, private, charter, magnet—to have their own designated handicap-accessible bus or van. This would ensure that any student needing a ramp for transportation to school events is not left behind.

Not only does this guarantee timely access to events, but it also fosters inclusivity, educational equality, and respects the dignity of students with disabilities. Each child's educational journey should be seamless, from the classroom to extracurricular engagements.

Join us in advocating for a change that ensures no child with disabilities is left waiting. Sign this petition to help push for designated, accessible transportation in all schools and make a difference in the lives of countless students and families.