Setting the Stage for Success in School Janet Brewer M.Ed. Comprehensive Health Education Services, LLC
Learning Objectives Participants will Learn about federal & state laws that provide educational services to children with disabilities Understand qualification criteria and the process to develop an appropriate plan Understand your rights and responsibilities Learn about specific accommodations that may be beneficial for a child with a bleeding disorder Creating a network of Dads who educate, support and challenge each other
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA requires states to provide a free, appropriate public education to children with disabilities so they can be educated to the fullest extent possible with other children. If qualified, children are provided with special education AND related services under an Individualized Education Plan.
Section 504 Maintains that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Americans with Disabilities Act Provides for the elimination of barriers related to accessibility for the disabled to buildings, transportation and communication.
IDEA - provides special education AND related services to qualified individuals with a disability through an Individualized Education Plan. 504/ADA - provides related services to qualified individuals with a disability through a 504 plan. Focus is on providing access or removing barriers to participation.
The term child with a disability means a child who has been evaluated and is determined as having: mental retardation hearing impairment including deafness speech or language impairment visual impairment including blindness serious emotional disturbance orthopedic impairment Autism traumatic brain injury other health impairment specific learning disability
IDEA - Other Health Impairment Having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in a limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever and sickle cell anemia, and adversely affects a child s educational performance.
ADA - Medically Related Disability Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (those basic activities that the average person in the general population can perform with little or no difficulty) Has a record of such impairment Is regarded as having such an impairment
Help!
Scenario 1 Your child is a great student! Neither you nor your child s teachers have any academic, attention or behavioral concerns Your child has a bleeding disorder Recognized disability by both IDEA and ADA/504 federal laws Will benefit from related services and/or accommodations
What to Do Contact your child s principal Explain that your child has a bleeding disorder Ask to convene a parent meeting with your child s teacher, school nurse and administrative representative Develop an Americans with Disabilities Act or 504 Plan
Scenario 2 Your child is struggling with academic subjects: Oral Expression Listening Comprehension Written Expression Basic Reading Skill Reading Comprehension Mathematics Calculation Mathematics Reasoning
What to Do STEP 1 Upon receipt of a written request from parents, the school system will conduct an evaluation in all areas of suspected difficulty, including an assessment by the school psychologist.
Evaluation will Include: a variety of assessment tools parental information and developmental background teacher assessment Be specific to the child s native language Take into account limited vision, hearing or motor impairment
Step 2 After 60 school days when all assessments and reports are complete, a meeting is scheduled. Specialists will share results with parents and, as a team, determine whether the child s difficulties are the result of a specific disability and are not the result of cultural or economic disadvantage or lack of instruction.
504 or IEP? Does the student have one or more of the following types of disabilities? Physical, sensory, mental or emotional Emotional disturbance Orthopedic impairment Hearing-Vision impairment Autism Traumatic brain injury Other health issues Specific learning disability Multiple disabilities
AND Require specially designed instruction to make progress? Adapted instruction designed to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability The content, methodology or delivery of instruction is changed to ensure the child access to the general curriculum Conducted in variety of settings
If BOTH of these criteria are met, then the child qualifies for an IEP. If the child is identified as having a disability, but does not require specially designed instruction then they qualify for a 504, which will provide related services and accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations Walkie-talkies on playground Staff in-service Individualized Health Care Plan Schedule of physical education activities Extended travel time around building Extended time for homework/make-up work All medically related absences are excused with no loss of credit
Reasonable Accommodations Field trips to include parent or nurse Medications, needles and supplies maintained in the nurse s or central office Permanent pass to the school nurse Tutoring due to absences Physical education credits for participating in outside physical therapy
Reasonable Accommodations Regular email contact from teachers regarding missed assignments Note takers Audio or video tapes of class lectures Extra set of books at home Homework posted on the school district internet Permanent pass for school elevator Other ideas you can share?
Related Services Speech/language Audiology (hearing loss) Psychological Physical/Occupational therapies Counseling Rehabilitative counseling School health services Transportation
Transition IDEA: Prepare them for further education, employment and independent living Planning by age 16 Transition Plan/Vocational Services IEP: 22 nd Birthday Title II/ADA: Public entity shall furnish appropriate aids and services to afford equal opportunity to participate in, enjoy benefits of a service, program or activity
Post Secondary Responsibility is with the student Will require documentation - high school IEP/504 not enough Auxiliary Aids - Services Taped texts Special parking Housing accommodations Modified Class Schedule
Rights Your child has the right to a free appropriate education Your child has the right to the same access as their non-disabled peers You are entitled to be a part of all decision making when it comes to education your child
Responsibilities Start with your local school system Teacher Principal Special Education Director ADA Coordinator Superintendent Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Responsibilities Remain level-headed Don t come across as being on the offensive Educate your children to educate the educators Get to know school personnel Be patient
If you have exhausted all avenues with the school system: File a formal written complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/) Office for Civil Rights enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education.
The laws apply to: All state education agencies Elementary/Secondary Schools Colleges/Universities Vocational Schools Libraries Museums
Resources State Department of Education (DOE) Google your state s DOE website and locate Special Education: www.doe.mass.edu Look for state regulations (typically very long!) Often have a condensed Parent s Rights brochure U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights 800-368-1019 www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/
Questions? Please use raise hand option on toolbar
HFA s Online Community http://community.hemophiliafed.org/
Thank You