Accommodations for Children with Disabilities in Public Schools Alex Fertig, Psy. D

1. Accommodations for Children with Disabilities in Public Schools Alex Fertig, Psy. D

2. Introduction of Topics • Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) • 504 • Special Education

3. Three Laws • Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Rehabilitation Act of 1973

4. Intervention and Referral Services I &RS

5. I&RS • Almost half the states have a legal provision for general education interventions; which indicates a need for interventions for students in the general education setting. (Zirkel 2011)

6. The Board of Education in the State of New Jersey has adopted rules to provide intervention and referral services (Vermeire, 2002). • The requirements within state regulations indicate that a team approach toward delivery systems of interventions to address the full range of student learning and behaviors in the academic-setting is needed in the school setting (Vermeire, 2002). • Members of the Interventions and Referral Service committee are drawn from the full range of educational personnel (Vermeire, 2002). Teachers, Administrators, Guidance Counselors as well as Child Study Team members on the I&RS team work together to provide interventions to general education students.

7. I&RS teams are required to provide research based practice for interventions in a general education program (Vermeire, 2002). • Furthermore, the I&RS team is mandated to develop the forms required to implement the I&RS process (Vermiere, 2002). • Response to intervention

8. 504 Plan Accommodation Plan

9. Section of the Rehabilitation Act • Prohibits the discrimination against individuals with disabilities • Under the Department of Education • Office of Civil Rights (Renwick, 2012)

10. Eligibility 504 Definition- 1. Physical ormental Impairment that affects major life activity. 2. Record of impairment 3. Recognized as having the impairment. • Effect Major Life Activities • Examples: Hearing, speaking, breathing, seeing, learning etc….. • (Renwick, 2012)

11. 504 • Director of Special Services/Pupil Services • Section 504 Coordinator • Grievances • Office of Civil Rights • Examples of 504 team: • Teacher • Nurse • Parent • Child Study Team Member

12. 504 Modification Modifications Modifications Homework Classwork • Preferential Seating • Extended Time

13. Common questions regarding 504 • Funding • Can someone not follow a 504? • Special education classrooms • ADHD (Renwick, 2012)

14. Special Education Individual with Disabilities Education (ACT)

15. School System • Right to a free and appropriate education • Least restrictive environment • Individualized educational program (IEP) • Procedural safe guards (decision making) • Evaluations (Rynolds & Gutkin, 1999)

16. Referral • Who can make a request to evaluate a student • Parents • School • Related agencies • (Parental Rights in Special Education, 2009)

17. Evaluations • Initial Evaluation • Time line • Who evaluates? • Revaluation • Time line • Three years

18. Accommodations • Modifications in program • Placement (Co-Teaching, Resource Replacement, General Education, Private) • Individual Education Plan • Special Education Instructors

19. Child Study Team • School Psychologist • Social Worker • Learning Consultant • Parent • Teacher

20. Outcomes Transition

21. References • Renwick, G. (2012) SECTION 504 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Retrieved September 18 from www.trenton.k12.nj.us.sped/section_504.htm • Reynolds, C.R,. Gutkin, T.B,. (1999) The Handbook of School Psychology. New York, NY.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. • Vermeire, G,. (2002) Resource Manual For Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS). Trenton, NJ.: New Jersey Department of Education. • Zirkel, P. (2001). State Laws and Guidelines for RTI: Additional Implementation Features. Communique Online. CQ Volume 39, Issue 7. Retrieved March 12, 2012 from http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/39/7/professional -practice-state-laws.aspx