boarding a bus with a WC

[welovespacemoutain]

DD (10) will be using a wheelchair for the first time this trip. I have been reading the boards and want to make sure I've got the bus procedure down correctly.

DD can transfer to a seat and her WC can be folded if necessary, but she can only stand for very short periods of time. If there is not a seat available she will need to remain in the chair. There are 4 people total in our group.

From what I understand we all wait where the rear of the bus will be parked or a marked handicapped boarding area if there is one, board with the ramp/lift, and then find seats.

My concern is if the bus arrives and the handicapped spaces are already taken, will the driver allow us the option of boarding using the ramp and then folding the WC, or will he just make us wait for the next bus?

 

[SueM in MN]

DD (10) will be using a wheelchair for the first time this trip. I have been reading the boards and want to make sure I've got the bus procedure down correctly.

DD can transfer to a seat and her WC can be folded if necessary, but she can only stand for very short periods of time. If there is not a seat available she will need to remain in the chair. There are 4 people total in our group.

From what I understand we all wait where the rear of the bus will be parked or a marked handicapped boarding area if there is one, board with the ramp/lift, and then find seats.

My concern is if the bus arrives and the handicapped spaces are already taken, will the driver allow us the option of boarding using the ramp and then folding the WC, or will he just make us wait for the next bus?

You have got it correct.
You wait by the area where the back of the bus will be and the driver will put down the ramp and load the wheelchair.
You can decide whether or not she will stay in the wheelchair based on the number of people who are on the bus. After she is loaded, you can tell the driver she will transfer out and you will hold the chair. If you are getting on at a resort that has multiple stop, I would suggest not sitting in the seats on the 2 benches right across from the back door; both of those benches can be folded up to make wheelchair spots.

It doesn't happen too often that both wheelchair spots are already taken. If they are, the driver should stop and talk to you. At that point, you can tell the driver that you would need the lift/ramp to load, but that your DD will transfer out. If there is not room for her to sit, the driver should call for another bus for you.

I assume that you read the bus information in post #4 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. If you haven't, you may want to look at it.