Section 504: Disability Accommodations
What are the responsibilities of the students? The statute was intended to prevent intentional or unintentional discrimination against persons with disabilities, persons who are believed to have, are regarded as having, or have a record of having disabilities. Section 504 was enacted to "level the playing field" - to eliminate impediments to full participation by persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) regulations recognize that, in order to provide individuals with disabilities the same opportunities as others, it may be necessary to provide additional services. This legislation protects the civil rights of people with disabilities, i.e., physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. It prohibits organizations that receive federal funds from discriminating against otherwise qualified individuals on the sole basis of a disability. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enforced OCR under their regulatory guidelines. Title II of the ADA and the related Amendments Act (ADAAA), applicable to all public educational institutions, provide comparable protections. How does Section 504 define "disability?" Under Section 504, a person is considered a person with a disability if they meet one of the following criteria: Has a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activities NOTE: Criteria 2 and 3 do not prompt the school district's obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Consequently, the district has no duty to identify, assess, or place students who qualify only under these criteria. The term "disability" includes a broad range of disabilities and impairments; as such, there is no exhaustive list. Additionall Continue reading >>
Writing A Section 504 Plan For Diabetes
by Laura Hieronymus, DNP, MSEd, RN, MLDE, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Alba Morales, MD, and Leslie Scott, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CDE, MLDE Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses in youth. Approximately 5% of all new diabetes cases are Type 1 , with most of these cases affecting children and adolescents. In fact, more than 18,000 people under age 20 are diagnosed with Type 1 annually. Also of concern is the growing number of new cases of Type 2 diabetes in youth over 5,000 diagnoses annually in the U.S. As we get ready to head into another school year, it is important that as the parent or guardian of a child with diabetes, you and your childs school have all the information necessary to ensure your child has a successful school year. While about one in every 300 to 350 children has diabetes, that may not be the case in your childs school. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or Section 504, is a federal civil rights law put in place to prevent discrimination of an individual with a disability. It reads, No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United Statesshall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Children and adolescents with diabetes are covered under Section 504. Diabetes is considered a disability, defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. With diabetes, the inability of the body to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range qualifies the condition as a disability. Other examples covered under Section 504 include epilepsy, asthma, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Continue reading >>
The 504 Plan For Students With Type 1 Diabetes
Summary: The 504 Plan sets out an agreement to make sure the student with diabetes has the same access to education as other children. It is a tool that can be used to make sure that the student, the parents/guardians, and school personnel understand their responsibilities and work through challenges or misunderstandings to avoid problems in the future. The summer is coming to a close and the first day of school is nearing. The back-to-school checklist for children with diabetes includes much more than crayons, glue sticks, and a new backpack. I need to get our supplies that are left at school back in order. I need to meet with and train the new assistant principal (we are incredibly sad to see the assistant principal go to another school this year as he was in charge of Qs care including treating her for lows and communicating with me) and set up a meeting to train the teachers she will interact with this year. I need to label her new Littlest Petshop water bottle that she will keep in the classroom. My to do list is long! If your child with diabetes is starting school this year, have you started thinking about your 504 Plan? If you have one in place have you looked at it to see if you need to make any changes? Lucky for us there was already a child with diabetes at our school and the family shared their 504 plan with us. It was a great starting point. We didnt actually have our plan finalized until the second semester, but we ended up adding a couple of things that we wouldnt have thought of before school started. The 504 Plan sets out an agreement to make sure the student with diabetes has the same access to education as other children. It is a tool that can be used to make sure that the student, the parents/guardians, and school personnel understand their responsib Continue reading >>
Standardized Testing
Standardized tests, while stressful, can be essential for your higher education. Because of the importance of these tests, the rules can be strict on what you are allowed to have in the testing room. Many T1Ds apply for accommodations for these tests in case they run into any problems during test time. While you may be registered for accommodations with your school, you will have to apply for separate accommodations for these tests. This application process can be long and will differ for each separate test, but these accommodations can help you be successful even when diabetes may get in the way. We recommend talking with your parents and your diabetes care team to determine what sorts of accommodations you will need during a test. If you are applying for accommodations for either the SAT or the ACT, you will need an official letter from your doctor to provide proof that you have diabetes. Make sure this letter includes: Age of diagnosis Course of medical treatment Limitations diabetes puts on your testing experience How accommodations can help you The SAT is run through the College Board and uses Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to register students for accommodations. You will have to register through your high schools disability officer, because they are the only people who have access to submit the request through SSD. If you are registered for accommodations at your high school, they will already be familiar with your needs as a T1D. The whole process takes about seven weeks to be approved, so start as early as possible. The College Board website has a list of accommodation deadlines for tests, so keep an eye on those and mark them in your calendar! Once you are approved for accommodations, you will receive an SSD number via email and an Eligibility Continue reading >>
Parents Reveal: The Best Question I Asked At Our 504 Plan Meeting
Brought to you by Lilly Diabetes | Disney Parents Reveal: The Best Question I Asked at Our 504 Plan Meeting If youre working with your childs school to establish a 504 Plan after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, you may be wondering about specific accommodations to request. There is, of course, no one-size-fits-all (or even one-size-fits-most) approach to creating the perfect 504 Plan. Still, what are some ideas to at least start thinking about? Heres a look at how other D-parents have navigated the 504 Plan process, including key questions they asked that helped set up their child with diabetes for a healthy, safe, and successful school year. Will she be allowed snacks whenever needed? Early in elementary school, my daughter had a run-in with the lunch lady about not finishing her lunch before it was time for recess.When I asked how we could avoid this in the future, we came up with this accommodation to be added to her 504 Plan: Will be granted ample time to finish all meals and snacks, and may consume them anywhere on school grounds. Six years later, we still find ourselves pointing to this stipulation more than any of the others on her 504 Plan. It is OK to finish the grapes on the bench of the playground. It is OK to stop and eat a snack halfway through rehearsal for the school musicaleven if nobody else is allowed.Over the years, this is the part of living with diabetes that staff have had the hardest time understanding, so its been nice to have it written down. Pam O., mom of a 13-year-old daughter and blogger at AdventuresInDiabetesParenting.blogspot.com There are a couple things that I always make sure I have in our 504 Plan, one of which is If the child misses three days in one month (which do not need to be consecutive days), a tutor will be available to help Continue reading >>
Children With Diabetes - Sample 504 And Iep Plans
Review of The Laws: Section 504 and the IDEA Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 According to this law, parents of qualifying children have the right to develop a Section 504 plan with their child's school. To qualify for protection under Section 504, a child must have a record of such impairment, or be regarded as having such impairment. Schools can lose federal funding if they do not comply with this law. Parents can use these laws to ensure that, while at school, their children with diabetes can fully participate in all school activities, while at the same time caring for their medical needs. This means that the school cannot refuse to allow a child to be on the honor roll, deny credit to a student whose absenteeism is related to diabetes, refuse to administer medication (a school cannot require parents to waive liability as a condition of giving medicine), and determine sports/extracurricular participation without regard to the student's diabetes. Any school that receives Federal funding must comply with IDEA and Section 504 laws. A child need not require special education to be protected. This law prohibits all schools and day care centers, except those run by religious organizations, from discriminating against children with disabilities, including diabetes. Protection under is this law is the same as that for Section 504. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) IDEA mandates the federal government to provides funding to education agencies, state and local, to provide free and appropriate education to qualifying students with disabilities. This includes children who have diabetes. As with the other two laws you must show that diabetes can, at times, adversely affect educational performance. The school is then required to develop an Individual Continue reading >>
Ultimate Back To School Guide For Type 1 Care
One of the biggest fears that many parents of newly diagnosed parents and even veteran parents of Type 1 kids is back to school time. School represents a long period of time that parents are not able to be with their kids and many parents have difficulty excepting this. They want to ensure their children are safe and school is an unknown. Before we continue with this article, I wanted to let you know we have researched and compiled science-backed ways to stick to your diet and reverse your diabetes. Want to check out our insights? Download our free PDF Guide Power Foods to Eat here. For many students, the beginning of the school year involves getting their school supplies together and picking their back to school outfit. But while kids with diabetes have these same woes, there is much more to the start of the school year. Parents can put their minds at ease with the proper planning and communication with school staff. Teachers, the nurse, and parents are a team that must work together to ensure the safety of the child at school. You will want to make sure your child always has everything on them they need to manage their diabetes when they are at school. This includes their supplies as well as items to prevent and even treat low blood sugars. In order to help them prepare, have them put together a low pack in a bag to take to school with them. Items they can include are: Teachers, coaches, office staff, nurses and other school employees all play a huge role in helping children manage their diabetes when they are at school. With the proper communication and teamwork together all members can help provide assistance to your child and support while they are away from you. Help your childs teacher, the school nurse and other members of the staff who may come in contact with Continue reading >>
504 Plans: A Guide For Parents
In a perfect world, students with diabetes would attend school without worrying whether someone in the building knows how to inject glucagon in a low blood sugar emergency. They wouldn't be left behind on field trips because the nurse took a vacation day or be told they couldn't try out for the football team because it's too risky. While many children get through school without an issue, too many run into obstacles simply because of their diabetes. The good news: The law is on the students' side. By setting up a 504 plan, parents can make sure the school takes responsibility not only for their children's education but their care, too. Read on for the 411 on 504 plans. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. A 504 plan, then, is a legal document designed to ensure that students with a disability such as diabetes can manage their condition at school and receive the same education as other kids. The plan, which applies to all public schools and any private schools that receive federal funds, uses diabetes management goals developed by a student's health care provider to spell out for the school exactly how the child's diabetes should be managed during the day. All children with diabetes should qualify for services under Section 504, although individual assessment is required. And, according to Crystal Jackson, director of the American Diabetes Association's Safe at School campaign, all qualifying students with diabetes should have a 504 plan in place. Consider a 504 plan like insurancesomething you have for peace of mind, in case of a natural disaster or car accident. It's a good idea to set up a 504 plan as soon as your child is diagnosed with diabetes, even if all is well with the school. "Be Continue reading >>
504 Plan Templates, Accommodations, And Resources
504 Plan Templates, Accommodations, and Resources 504 Plan Templates, Accommodations, and Resources Use these resources to help build a plan for your child at school Your child may have a disability with needs that should be accommodated so she can be successful in the classroom. A504 planspells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed to make it possible for your child to succeed in a general education program. If you wonder what a 504 plan should look like and what might be included for specific disabilities, see examples and templates. The actual format of the 504 will depend upon your school, or you can download or create your own form. These templates and accommodation lists provided by school districts and disability organizationscan give you an idea of what to look at and what to look for when working with the school to put together a plan for your child. Here are some indexes of downloadable templates and handouts to find out how other school districts handle 504 planning. Some include information for parents and staff as well. Heartland Area Education Agency , Johnston, Iowa, has forms and documents, as well as a guide on the 504 plan. Wayne RESA , Wayne, Michigan,has an extensive toolkit that covers items such as the 504 process, sample forms, and tips for effective forms. North Dakota Department of Public Instruction has a list of sample forms including evaluation procedures, accommodation forms, and parent rights. Portland Public Schools , Portland, Oregon, has a variety of forms and manuals for parents and teachers. The needs of students with diabetes are often outlined in a 504 plan. These two organizations offer examples of what a 504 plan for these students might look like: Children With Diabetes : Sample plans are available for each Continue reading >>
504 Plans For Type 1 Diabetics
Creating a purposeful 504 Plan to adapt with your T1D's needs A 504 Plan for your Type 1 Diabetic will be a vital tool for your student. It's important to have a 504 Plan BEFOREyou need a 504 Plan! The Type 1 Diabetes 504 Plan will be different than most 504 Plans implemented at a school. The best 504 Plan should be personalized for the specific needs of each child. A Type 1 Diabetic's 504 Plan should also adapt and change. A student's age and grade level may impact self-management. Methods of management and equipment may also change mid-year. And most importantly, Extracurricular Activities and Standardized Testing requirements should be added to create a purposeful plan. 504 Plans for Type 1 Diabeticssimplified The 504 Plan for a Type 1 Diabetic is animportant tool for students. The term 504 Plan comes from the legal disability right offered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. There are manylegal rights that protect Type 1 Diabetic students. 504 accommodations can also be requested through college. However, 504 rights and accommodations at the post-secondary level require self-advocacy. A good 504 Plan takes planning to accommodate the individualizedneeds for a Type 1 Diabetic student. The school's 504 Coordinator will implement the plan butparents should take on the responsibility of managing the plan. Managing the plan means updating it as needed. A good plan adapts with a child or teen through transition years. Parents can also coach teens in understanding the 504 process to self-advocate in college for their legal rights. You need a 504 Plan BEFORE you need a 504 Plan! All Type 1 Diabetic students in public school should implement a 504 Plan. The 504 should also include the details of the Diabetes Medical Management Plan. Standard T1D Accommodations will be differ Continue reading >>
Section 504 Plan: American Diabetes Association
The term "504 Plan" refers to a plan developed to meet the requirements of a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly referred to as "Section 504"). A 504 Plan sets out the actions the school will take to make sure the student with diabetes is medically safe, has the same access to education as other children, and is treated fairly. It is a tool that can be used to make sure that students, parents/guardians, and school staff understand their responsibilities and to minimize misunderstandings. Take a look at our sample 504 Plan available below. It lists a broad range of services and modifications that are often needed by students with diabetes, ranging from kindergarteners to high school seniors. All plans should specify that school staff must be trained to recognize hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and to respond in accordance with the child's Diabetes Medical Management Plan. However, each plan should be individualized to the specific needs, abilities, and medical condition of the individual student. It is important to only include provisions that are relevant to the specific child. For example, a section on self-management probably would not be included in a kindergartener's plan. But the ability to bring in a blood glucose meter during an exam is critical for a high school student. Some school districts prefer to use their own 504 Plan form. This is perfectly fine as long as it contains language to appropriately meet all of the student's diabetes care needs at school. The content is what matters. Multiple staff members are trained to check blood glucose levels and administer insulin and glucagon. All school staffincluding teachers, coaches and bus driverswho interact regularly w Continue reading >>
504 Education Plans
Kids with physical or mental disabilities can face academic hurdles for a variety of reasons. But parents can take advantage of federal laws to help ensure their children's special needs are met. Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is designed to help parents of students with physical or mental impairments in public schools, or publicly funded private schools, work with educators to design customized educational plans. These 504 plans legally ensure that students will be treated fairly at school. Students can qualify for 504 plans if they have physical or mental impairments that affect or limit any of their abilities to: Examples of accommodations in 504 plans include: modified textbooks or audio-video materials excused lateness, absence, or missed classwork pre-approved nurse's office visits and accompaniment to visits The goal of 504 plans is for students to be educated in regular classrooms along with the services, accommodations, or educational aids they might need. If students with these plans can't achieve satisfactory academic success, as is determined by the school, then alternative settings in the school or private or residential programs can be considered. A 504 plan is different from an individualized education program (IEP) . The main difference is that a 504 plan modifies a student's regular education program in a regular classroom setting. A 504 plan is monitored by classroom teachers. A student with an IEP, as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), may receive different educational services in a special or regular educational setting, depending on the student's need. IEP programs are delivered and monitored by additional school support staff. Also, parental approval and involvement is required for an IEP, but Continue reading >>
O Resources - Detail Page
A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan. Are all school districts covered by Section 504? Virtually all public school districts are covered by Section 504 because they receive some federal financial assistance. Public colleges and universities generally receive federal financial assistance, and most private colleges and universities receive such assistance. There are some private colleges that do not receive any federal assistance, and Section 504 does not apply to them. Title II applies only to public institutions. Do these laws cover just education programs? No. They cover all programs of a school or college, including academics, extracurricular, and athletics. Also, the laws apply to the activities of a school or college that occur off campus. Answers for the two questions above were found at: How is a student considered for a 504 plan? A student with a physical or emotional disability, or who is recovering from a chemical dependency, or who has an impairment (i.e. Attention Deficit Disorder) that restricts one or more major life activities. What are examples of "major life activities"? Major life activities include caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning. What is the process for placing a student on a 504 plan? Student is referred by teacher, support staff, parent/legal guardian, p Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes And 504 Plan
Does your child have a 504 Plan? I read everyday on Type 1 Diabetes Facebook Support Groups how parents do not have one in place and all the heartache and troubles that are caused by uneducated school staff. Many parents who do have a 504 Plan in place offer the best advice. Their advice is to have a 504 Plan in place BEFORE you have trouble with your childs school whether it be a teacher, staff, or student. A plan for your childs medical treatment which must be followed by the school including nurses, teachers, staff, and bus drivers. Any student who has Type 1 diabetes and attends school outside the home or is enrolled in a public virtual academy at home could benefit from a 504 plan. Hasyour Endocrinologist offered you aDMMP (Diabetes Medical Management Plan)? This is a detailed plan with the care that is needed for your child including but not limited totarget blood glucose levels, when or how often he or she should check blood glucose, symptoms of high and low blood glucose, how to treathypoglycemia, insulin-to-carb ratios, and more. This paperwork is often the secret weapon parents can use to get the best written 504 Plan for your child. Reasonable accommodations may include but are not limited to: 1. Trained staff members for recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia, insulin administration, glucagon administration, and carbohydrate counting. 2. Self administration of blood glucose monitoring IN THE CLASSROOM 3. Allowing the child to treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in any location at school when necessary. This includes allowing child to eat snacks in the classroom. 6. Eating and drinking whenever and wherever necessary 7. To be allowed to be absent or tardy without penalty 8. Extended time for testing (this also goes for College Board SAT testing) 9. Plans Continue reading >>
Diabetes In The Classroom: Time To Be Prepared
Diabetes in the Classroom: Time to be Prepared Classroom teachers have responsibilities far more broad than just teaching the subject. Presiding as the only authority figure in the classroom for hours each day, the teacher is responsible for the welfare of students. Theres no buckpassing; the teacher is in the room, and the school nurse is not. So what happens when a student has diabetes? Hopefully the teacher has been informed. When a student is diagnosed, or when a diabetic child enrolls in school, it is the parents or guardians responsibility to let school authorities know of the conditionand what needs to be done to help keep the child from running blood sugars too low or too high. The desire to conform, to not stand out, may be powerful; but if a child has type 1 diabetes, or severe type 2, it can be a life and death matterParents must let the school authorities know! If your child has type 1 diabetes (or brittle enough type 2 that emergencies can occur) it may be grounds for preparation of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 Plan (in other states that do not use the IEP). Such an individual plan is ideally worked out among parents, school administrators, and pertinent medical professionals (such as the childs primary care physician and diabetes educator). Sometimes the schools counselor will be involved. The plan they prepare should spell out the teachers role in the childs day-to-day diabetes self-management, and that of other school personnel. Parentsyou need to be part of the process here. There are privacy considerations, described in HIPAA, the Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act. Appropriate documents must be signed and filed before school administrators and health care professionals can legally discuss a childs condition with anyone Continue reading >>
