Published: LifeLines for Health, vol. 5 (Summer 2015)
by Janet Brewer, M.Ed
There are two federally mandated plans that all school age students are entitled to. States also are mandated to provide special education services or related services and accommodations to children with a diagnosed disability.
IDEA-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act- 1974 Amended 2004
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.
Disabilities Include:
• Physical, sensory, mental or emotional • Emotional Disturbance
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Hearing-Vision Impairment• Autism• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Other Health Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Specific Learning Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
If your child is diagnosed with any of the above disabilities AND they require specialized instruction-they qualify for an INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN.
Specialized instruction is defined as adapted instruction designed to meet the unique need of the child with a disability. The content, methodology or delivery of instruction is changed to ensure the child’s access to the general curriculum.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This Act’s focus is on non-discrimination. It maintains “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”.
American with Disabilities Act 1990
ADA is almost like an extension of Section 504. It provides for the elimination of barriers related to accessibility for the disabled to buildings, transportation, and communication.
Both 504 and ADA provide related services and accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability through a 504 plan. Its intent is to provide access or remove barriers
to participation. It provides students with the same rights and services as their “NON Disabled Peers”.
How a Bleeding Disorder Fits In:
IDEA-Other Health Impairment
IDEA defines Other Health Impairments as due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, crohn’s or hemophilia and adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
ADA/504-Medically Related Disability
ADA/504 defines a Medically Related Disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or those basic activities that the average person in the general population can perform with little or no difficulty. The individual has a record of such impairment and is regarded as having such impairment.
How Does My Child Qualify?
If there are NO academic, behavior or emotional concerns:
Make an appointment with your building principal/ADA coordinator, teacher (s), and school nurse and ask to develop a 504/ADA plan.
If there ARE academic, behavior or emotional concerns:
Write a letter to your child’s teacher asking for a formal evaluation process stating your concerns and submit it to the school. The school has an obligation to complete all assessments in the areas of suspected disability (ies) within 60 calendar days.
When assessments are complete:
1. A meeting will be scheduled
2. Reports will be shared with you regarding your child’s abilities
3. The Student Assist Team will then decide if your child:
a. Has a disability
b. Requires specialized instruction in order to make process
What are Related Services?
Related services may include:
• Speech/language therapy
• Audiology (hearing loss)
• Psychological
• Physical/Occupational therapies
• Counseling
• Rehabilitative counseling
• School health services
• Transportation
For Example:
If you are comfortable with your school district’s physical therapist then PT could be included on your child’s ADA/504 plan and they could receive physical therapy during the school day. Providing the therapist with additional information on physical therapy with an individual with hemophilia will probably be necessary, as well as contact information from the ordering physician to be sure the therapist proceeds slowly.
What Accommodations Can Be Provided?
Reasonable accommodations are provided to remove barriers related to access. For example: If your child is on crutches, ambulating safely in the hallway is a barrier. Allowing extended travel time around the building removes that barrier. An extra set of books to prevent a heavy backpack and subsequent shoulder bleeds. A locker that is accessible from a wheelchair at the end of the row is more accessible.
Maintaining open and honest communication with your school district enables your child to be more successful. Stating your needs in a detailed, positive manner yields better results. Most school districts are very responsive, but they are working with tight budgets and are often understaffed. Letting them know that you appreciate their efforts on behalf of your child goes a long way. Also remember, there may come a time that your child may not want these accommodations such as leaving early from class while on crutches or a wheelchair as it calls unwanted, sometimes intrusive attention. More than anything, our children just want to fit it. Let them make those decisions. Their social interactions with peers are just as important, if not more important than leaving class early. Or, there are times that it is ok to “play the hemophilia card” and invite a special friend or attractive classmate to push their wheelchair or carry their books!
Sources: Federal Regulations Part 300