Let's say a student is unable to walk easily. Will Stuyvesant High School accept him?

Question

He has received a good score on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test but would need accommodations for his broken leg. I would think so because it is a public school and they are required to help special needs students. Do they get an IEP then?

Answer 1

The school would be required to admit the student if he met the admission criteria other than the broken leg.  A broken leg is not an impediment to learning.   Plenty of students have broken legs and do quite nicely at school.  They are accomodated with elevators, some fancy scheduling, etc, and do quite fine.  

Remember, the broken leg will heal (hopefully).    

Now, if for some reason the leg were pretty well mangled, and he was trying for a sports scholarship, there would be an issue.  In that case, accomodation would not be possible or within the realm of reason.  That is not the case here.

Answer 2

He doesn't really need an IEP because his disability is temporary. Regular education students who have an injury that makes them unable to go to school for a period of time can get an IEP if they are home bound as a result. However this doesn't seem to be the case here.

Schools that have public funding cannot deny enrollment to a student based on a disability.

Answer 3

A school cannot reject a student based on a physical disadvantage...it's discrimination.

The same rule applies...they can't just ignore the Constitution and American Disabilities Act because it's a "specialized school."