The roadeo for teams of school bus drivers and aides who serve students with disabilities and preschooler returns to the TSD Conference this November with expanded hands-on training, new team challenges and an open invitation to school transportation professionals who want to test — and strengthen — their skills in real-world scenarios involving students with disabilities and special needs.
The roadeo sponsored by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, in conjunction with the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs Conference and Trade Show in Frisco, Texas. The event is produced and organized by the industry group WIT., LLC, Women in Transportation, which is dedicated to leading, mentoring and empowering women in student transportation,
The teams from across the country will take written exams Friday. Prosper Independent School District is again hosting the Saturday competition that is open to all.
Participation is not limited to teams that have qualified through a state or regional competition. Driver-attendant teams may represent a school district, contractor, state association or other organization, while independent participants and “pickup” teams are also welcome to take part in the challenging professional-development experience.
While friendly competition remains part of the roadeo, the emphasis is on learning, teamwork and strengthening the skills needed to safely transport students with disabilities.
Teams will need to work together throughout the course, with particular attention paid to communication with students, safety and care. This year’s event will also feature additional activities and hands-on training designed to challenge participants beyond traditional driving skills. On-site team challenges will provide opportunities to earn extra credit during the competition.
The Saturday course at Prosper ISD will place driver-attendant teams in situations that require them to communicate, make decisions and apply best practices while working together.
Preparation begins well before teams arrive in Texas. The 2026 roadeo test package will be distributed to registered teams by Oct. 1. As in previous years, the written portion of the competition will be open book, allowing participants to use the preparation process as another opportunity to build their knowledge of specialized transportation.
Friday, Nov. 6 will combine roadeo preparation with access to TSD Conference education. Registered team participants can attend the opening keynote by behavior expert Patrick Mulick, who will present “Promoting Independence and Reducing the Reliance on 1:1 Adult Support.” Mulick will examine how student transporters can maintain safety while helping students develop greater independence.
Roadeo participants will also have access Friday to the Foundations of Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers seminar, which provides instruction on laws and regulations, the IEP process, terminology, operational practices and other fundamentals involved in transporting students with disabilities and young children.
The roadeo team and judges meeting will be held Friday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s competition.
Those remaining through Sunday morning can participate in American Sign Language for Student Transporters, which provides practical instruction for improving communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The hands-on training introduces useful ASL phrases, accessibility considerations and strategies transportation teams can apply on the school bus.
The broader access to TSD Conference education is intended to make participation in the special needs team roadeo more than a one-day skills competition. Drivers and attendants can learn from national experts, practice techniques with other transportation professionals and then apply those lessons to challenges modeled on situations they may encounter while serving students with disabilities.
Scholarship opportunities also remain available to help qualified participants attend.
Team registration is separate from main TSD Conference main registration. Visit the TSD Conference website for registration information, scholarship details and the latest event agenda.
The 2026 TSD Conference and Trade Show takes place Nov. 4-10 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas, and features specialized education and training focused on transporting students with disabilities and special needs. Early Bird registration is currently available through Oct. 2, a savings of $100 off the standard registration rate. Main conference registration includes keynote, general and breakout educational sessions, networking events, the Ride & Drive + Technology Demonstration, and the TSD Trade Show and reception.
