My son is handicap in wheel chair the school is going on field trip to st.Louis by bus he can go if we drive?

Question

is there a law that if school takes a field trip the kids going by bus they should get a bus for handicap

Answer 1

This really saddens me to hear that you and your son are being treated this way. It is disgraceful. I would politely ask them to reconsider and allow him to join his peers on the same basis as them. If this does not work I would contact the L. E.A and inform them that you will seek advice from  the Disability Discrimination Act. That should alter the situation immediately. The schools actions however are truly disgusting and I do not believe that they deserve to have your son on their register. However, for the sake of ALL future children they need to be taught a lesson. I wish you well.

Answer 2

I absolutely believe they should make accomodations regardless of whether or not it's one child or many.  

I do believe that's a case of discrimination.  We all know they have short buses that are handicapp accessible.

The key is do you want to make a big deal out of it?  Or can you just drive him.

I think it's unfair that you have to drive him and the school should have been prepared to make accomodations.  

I don't know if there is a law, but if buildings designed before "x" date must have a wheel chair ramp and handicapp accessible restrooms, then I can only assume this school must abide by similar rules.

But speak with your child, he may not want you to make a big deal out of it.  He probably wants to fit in as best as possible, he might rather you drive him then making a big scene about it.

Get your child's opinion (if he's old enough to tell you how he feels about it).  You don't want to embarass him, and you don't want him to feel like an outsider.  

Best wishes.

Answer 3

You can look at this as an IEP issues or an ADA issue, but either way your child is entitled to go on the field trip with no additional expense to you or you having to take time off work etc. as every other child is entitled to go on the field trip. Even if you wanted to drive to take your son you would be entitled to a mileage reimbursement. Admittedly this is a big extras expense for the district in that the wheelchair bus costs more and usually seats fewer students so sometimes they need two buses, but they can also look at a van or other option. If you have the flexibility though you may want to help them out by driving with mileage, but under no condition should you keep your son from this trip.

Answer 4

Yes, the school needs to make "reasonable accomadations" for your son. That could be a simple as folding his wheelchair up and carrying him onto the bus or as complicated as hiring a wheelchair accessiable bus for him.

The Americans With Disabilities Act and IDEA require schools to accomodate special needs students in a way that assures his learning is not interfered with.

BTW, sometimes filing a complaint is not the way to go... sometimes for something as small as a field trip that will only cause more problems. I would say that you need to call the local parent information center (known as PIC in most areas) and ask an educational advocate to step in, they know all the special needs laws and will work with you to get the school to do what they are supposed to do. Most times an educational advocate is free.

the source below is for a parent information center in New Hampshire, but you should do a google or yahoo search for parent information center in your state.

Also, call the deparment of special education and ask for a refferal to a educational advocate or parent information center (sometimes called parent information network)

Answer 5

This falls under "Related Services" when talking about it as per prior posts.

Answer 6

Yes. IDEA=Individuals with Disabilies in Education Act. Federal law.  The school knows that.

Answer 7

Absolutely.

And sorry the "key" is not if you want to make a big deal out of this, but rather exercising your child's rights under IDEA.

Now the deal is the school has to provide transportation, this doesn't always have to be a bus. It could be a school car driven by a school employee. (The employee usually has to have some type of certification to transport students)

Also if your child is going to need an aide for self care skills (if he/she is staying the night) such as bathing or transfers ect an aide must be provided as well.

Answer 8

Yes, they need to get a special bus, especially if your child has a special transportation written into his IEP. Immediately call the special education director in your area and complain. Tell them that if your child is not given transportation, then you will file a civil rights complaint on his behalf.

You need to go to this website to find out about filing the complaint. http://www.ed.gov/searchResults.jhtml. This complaint is going to be a complaint about the fact that the school is discriminating against your child by not providing equal access to an appropriate education. This is a part of a civil rights law called the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may want to read up on it.

You also should go to the Wright's Law page to read about your child's rights as a student with special needs.

Finally, if none of this works, call the Department of Education for your state and speak to a director in the Special Education Department. This may solve the prolem. If it doesn't go ahead and file the civil rights complaint. It is your son's right to have equal access to education.

Answer 9

you have a case don't back down.