My school says my accommodations on my IEP are unreasonable and they can't provide them. Do you think so?

Question

I don't really think they are. My current accommodations are:

-Time and a half for tests

-Use of computer with text to speech soft ware for written exams

-Photo copied version of teachers notes

-Allowed to use a computer for in class work (a laptop which I own)

-Receive text books on tape

-Allowed to go to the learning centre for tests

-Prefered seating (at the front of the class, generally)

-I am allowed to be excused during class to check my sugars and deal with a hypo or hyperglycemic issue (which has only happened once this year)

-I also receive Learning strategies classes for remediation.

I have type 1 diabetes, ADHD, Anxiety, a minor hearing impairment,and some specific Learning Disabilities (to be exact: Sensory Integration Disorder, Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit, Expressive Language Disorder, Spatial Orientation issues, Visual Figure Ground Problems, Auditory Figure Ground Problems, Visual Memory Deficit, Visual Sequencing Disorder, Auditory Memory Deficit)

Answer 1

Actually, I found out today that if you are running Microsoft Word 2003 or later on a PC, you can position your cursor at the beginning of a passage, hold down the "Windows" key and the letter "s" at the same time, and Microsoft Word will read the text to you.

It's a team decision, and an effort must be made to reach a consensus. If you cannot agree, then the school will make their offer of a Free and Appropriate Public Education, and you get to decide whether to take it or leave it. You have the right to file a Due Process request. You might prevail, but nobody wins Due Process, and the student loses most of all.

Answer 2

As a type 1 Diabetic myself...I have always checked my blood sugars and gave myself my shots in class.  Now that I am the teacher, I still do.

Yes, some of these are extreme.  The computer with text to speech?  Gee wiz, that software costs a FORTUNE!  and where are they supposed to get the text books on tape??

Time and a half for tests should be fine.

Working in the center should be fine.

Answer 3

For everything you listed, you are suppose to be recieving remediation for your learning problems and NOT for  learning strategies.

It doesn't matter what they like or don't like, the IEP is a federal legal binding document and has to be followed.

What is their reason for not wanting these accomodations?

You have to follow the legal process.

Since you are 'independent' student,  You have to write a letter to the district special ed director and request 'prior written notice' for refusing these accomodations.

By law they have to have LEGAL reasons for their decisions and give these decisions in writing to the parents (or you in this case)

They do not have legal reasons for refusing your accoms, so when you ask for this, the school should magically change their minds and provide what's on teh IEP plan, because they will not put ILLEGAL reasons in writing.

There is a lot to this process and other things your parents must do , so if you would like me to help email  [e-mail]

Answer 4

There's nothing unreasonable here that I see.  Sure there is work involved with books on tape if there are no funds to purchase them, but hello the federal government gives funds based on the number of students with IEPs.  You are part of that number and are equally entitled to receive those things.  If they are available at the other school, could the books on tape not be sent to your school?  Other than that I don't see anything that really costs a good deal of money.  Text to speech software and a microphone really don't cost that much.  You should be given that equipment to use for your homework, too.  The rule is if you use it on your exams, you should be allowed to use them daily.  I'm not sure if that is a state or federal statue or just best practice of teaching standards.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter if they are unreasonable if they are on your IEP the school is required by law to provide them! If they refuse to provide take your IEP and your school to court it is your right as the student to get the best education you can.  And also I do not believe that your IEP is unreasonable.

Answer 6

I work in an out of schools as a school consultant...among other things.

but I don't see why any of that will be a problem. Keep in mind the school is given so much money a year per student, and more for a student with special needs. There's no reason why they shouldn't be able to accommodate you.

A few sites to check out:

http://www.edweek.org/login.html?source=...

I know it says you can log in for free, I haven't checked it out yet.

Another place you can go to view it is

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Hom...

Answer 7

If it is in your IEP, it must be provided.  They know this.  It is basic education law.  They must do it, and if they don't you can file a due process complaint with the school district.  Make sure you have your current IEP in hand when you file the complaint, and attach a copy of your IEP to the complaint.  You will get the accomodations.  IT is not unreasonable at all.  But more importantly, federal law says you are entitled to them.

Answer 8

Well, as a teacher, I don't think the extended time is irrational because you are ADHD-you have trouble focusing.  It seems your IEP isn't really because you are learning disabled (slow)so much but because you have hearing impairments and visual impairments that are effecting your ability to learn appropriately.

Are you a college student?  Maybe IEP's run differntly in college...not sure.

Answer 9

Why do you need Text-to-Speech exams and textbooks on tape?  You don't list a sight-impairment that keeps you from being able to see.  Are you blind?  Or just using the system...to not have to work as hard as others?

Answer 10

Those all seem to be appropriate accommodations for your disabilities.

I am an avid studier of special needs, IEPs and such.  I remember reading that they weren't allowed to limit what you needed, keyword: NEEDED.  They're supposed to be able to provide you with accommodations for ALL special needs, and if they can't, they're supposed to provide transportation to a place that can provide what you need.

At the very least I don't remember reading that they WERE allowed to limit accommodations.

If you (or your parents) think they are violating your rights, you and your parents can file for due process.

Answer 11

jdeekdee said most of what i was going to type,...

if your school is unwilling to follow the federal mandate of the iep, you may have grounds for a lawsuit!

Answer 12

If your new school has not yet held a meeting it's time to get your IEP team together.  It's not unheard of to make revisions to the IEP before the annual review date, but the entire team must come to an agreement as to what the revisions are.  As a special education teacher I have to be honest with you; you have some very "demanding" accomodations.  If you are truly in need of them then that's fine, but if you are being over accomodated then I can see where your new school may be questioning the plan.  Sometimes parents can "bully" IEP teams into over accomdating students.  I have seen it go both ways (IEP teams bullying parents and parents bullying IEP teams) but I've also seen many productive meetings where everything works well.  Give your new school the benefit of the doubt by sitting down with the team and hearing their concerns.  Best of luck to you!

Answer 13

No, they are not unreasonable. The only ones I can think of that the school may not have, is the text to speech software, but if the school can't provide that, you can have everything read to you by a person, and the text books on tape that your school may not have. The rest of them are accomodation that any school should be able to provide easily.