Securing Accommodations For Your Child
Your child’s right to an equal education is protected by two federal laws—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Under these laws, you can request that your school formally determine whether your child is eligible for educational accommodations.
A first step is to write a letter or an email to the person at your child’s school who is in charge of education services, often called the “education case manager” or “special education coordinator.” However, in some schools this person might be the 504 coordinator, a school counselor, or another school administrator. If the first person you contact doesn’t respond, call the school and ask to speak to the principal, who can direct you to the right person. Once you know who to reach out to, here’s a sample letter to get you started in requesting an evaluation.
Typically, a school will inform you that it has accepted your request for an evaluation. A person on your child’s education team will also send you his or her plan for evaluation and ask for your consent before evaluating your child.
After an evaluation, your child’s school will decide if your child is eligible for educational accommodations. If the school decides your child is eligible, you and the team will write an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan. If the school decides your child is ineligible for services under IDEA or Section 504, there are still options, as we outline in the Parents’ Guide.
Laura, whose daughter Emily has cystic fibrosis, says “all these accommodations make it so much easier for my daughter, so that her educational environment and her situation at school is a much easier transition for her,” in this video.
In addition to the IEP or 504 plan, the school nurse may also create an individual health plan (IHP) to document how the school plans to address your child’s medical needs. In this video, Craig Goodmark, an education attorney, describes how IHPs are just one important part of a 504 plan or an IEP.
Videos
Hear an education attorney explain the purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
Hear an education attorney explain the differences between the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
What educational accommodations can children with chronic illness receive under IDEA and Section 504
Parents describe what types of educational accommodations their children receive under IDEA or Section 504.
Three teachers of elementary school students with chronic illnesses talk about implementing educational accommodations that address the students’ particular needs.
Listen to Laura explain how she established a 504 plan for her daughter, Emily, with the help of doctors, teachers, and her homebound advocate.
An elementary school case manager explains how she facilitates the educational accommodation process for a student with a chronic illness.
Hear an education attorney explain how an Individual Health Plan (IHP) helps address a child’s medical needs, including what teachers or school staff should do in an emergency.
In this video, a school nurse lists what materials a school needs to create an Individual Health Plan.
Implementation of an educational plan is one of the most common problems parents run into. Learn several tips, and steps to take, when your child’s school fails to implement educational accommodations.
