| What
are "Disabilities" and How are they addressed?
Disability is a situation in which students may require additional
educational accommodations or modifications based on input
from school personnel and/or parents through the following
venues:
A. Campus administrative
and/ or instructional staff review concerns with parent to
apply current programming activities such as tutorials, additional
class time, etc to address need for improved academic success
B. ADA Section 504:
Parent presents medical diagnosis of disability for which
student is receiving treatment, medication, etc., and needs
modifications for current programs in order to experience
educational success. Asthma, health awareness issues, Add/ADHD.
dyslexia, ongoing medical treatments effecting attendance
or length of school day are just a few of the typical issues
that are addressed under this program strand for schools.
C. When success is
not achieved through the ADA provisions and educational need
continues, referral for assessment for services under "Special
Education IDEA". If eligibility is determined through
the formal assessment, the student then has "specially
designated instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet
the unique needs of a child with a disability". In other
words, IDEA has funding to provide content, materials, methodology or
delivery that is not available for the general population.
1. American (with) Disabilities
Act - covers ages birth to death
No person can be denied access to area or program that is
available to other general public due to any medical disability.
Requires a medical diagnosis and statement that diagnosis
verifies this disability effects (interferes with) normal
living activities
- Access to athletic events, theatres,
restaurants, public/gov't meetings, etc
- Job opportunities, etc
- transportation (i.e. wheel chair busses
must be provided....)
Section 504 - relates to educational locations-
No learner can be denied access or participation in any class
or program available to the general public as a result of
medical diagnosis of disability
- This generally covers large print, audio
hearing aids, tutorial sessions, etc. (if the problem
is severe or these services are not proving successful
in the academic world, , it generally is then referred
to Special Education for more specific services
- Typical "504" services include
ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, vision or hearing, relocation of labs
or installation of elevators, handicapped RR or walkways,
etc.
2. IDEA - Individuals (with)
Disabilities Education Act) - covers ages 3 to 21 ...student
receives services for the entire school year during which
the student turns 22. Entire school year means through August
if new school year begins Sept.
Any student for which there is documented
evidence of educational need must be assessed to identify
and evaluate the disability, areas of disabilities
and severity or degree of disabilities. Evidence of educational
need for initial referral is anything that indicates
lack of normal academic, school success in areas of learning,
attendance or serious social skills dysfunctions
Areas of disabilities qualified under IDEA
are:
Physical (12)
Emotional (1)
(These are the only qualifying
criteria for ED eligibility under IDEA, which meet specified
criteria of effecting school success)
- Pervasive Mood of Depression or Unhappiness
- Inability to develop relationships with
peers or teacher
- Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings
under normal circumstances
- Tendency to develop physical symptoms
or fears associated with personal or school problems
- Inability to learn which can not be explained
by intellectual, sensory or health factors.
More
Information on IDEA Special Education |
A
Better Classroom for Global Education
