140 likes | 283 Views
Welcome! Please come in and find a seat. If you have a bag under your chair, please open it, follow instructions, and don’t share with your neighbor. Emily’s Voice. A GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD PROJECT by Emily Reichard. Background. Add local story of a child with JM here. What is Section 504?.
E N D
Welcome! Please come in and find a seat. If you have a bag under your chair, please open it, follow instructions, and don’t share with your neighbor
Emily’s Voice A GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD PROJECT by Emily Reichard
Background Add local story of a child with JM here.
What is Section 504? • Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is a civil rights act and is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability • The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) specifically lists types of disabilities which render a child entitled to receive special education. Section 504 is much broader than the IDEA; there is no categorical listing of disabling conditions.
Common Physical Reasons for 504 • Hearing disabilities • Birth defects • Respiratory conditions • Urinary conditions • Vision • Cancer • Muscular diseases • Autoimmune diseases • Common Psychological or Mental Reasons for 504 • ADD • ADHD • Anxiety • Depression • OCD
My 504 Plan Add example of a local 504 plan experience here. Include what went right and what cold have been improved.
Typical 504 Accommodations • Use of elevator • Extended time for class change • Extra set of books • Extended time on assignments • Extended time on tests • Different setting for tests • Use of restroom as needed • Modified P.E. • No sun exposure • Exempt/excused absences for any illness related absences
My 504 Experiences • I have been asked if I’m contagious • My mom was told I didn’t belong in public school • I was told to be homeschooled • I was told that I wouldn’t succeed in higher level AP and IB classes • I have been questioned and ridiculed for riding the elevator • I’ve been sent to ISS for being tardy • In P.E., I was forced to publicly do pushups even though I was not physically able
Thoughts From A Doctor’s Point of View Q: What is it that you would like to tell teachers? A: These students need extra time for assignments-extra time for basically everything. A lot of children have issues, and IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. All teachers need to be aware of the students with a 504. Q: Why do you feel so strongly that kids with medical issues should not be homeschooled? A: Research shows that homeschooled kids tend to have more depression and anxiety. Socialization is key to feel “normal” with everyone else.
Q: What particular problems have you dealt with as far as teachers understanding? A: Recognizing the disease and the services available. Teachers not being aware and half of them not being aware of the accommodations. Q: Have you had patients successfully move onto college? A: Yes! I have had patients move on into medical school, nursing school, engineering school, and law school.
Thoughts From Students and Parents • “It would be great if teachers could be more empathetic and approachable about 504s” • “I’m already embarrassed that I can’t do things the same way others do. I don’t need a teacher to add to the embarrassment by making me constantly remind them of my accommodations” • “Basically, in high school, nothing remains confidential. I don’t have a disease. You can’t catch ADHD from me. I have a hard enough time- I don’t want people looking at me like I’m some freak.” • “I feel as if teachers look at me as if I am a ‘problem’” • “I wish it just didn’t have to be so difficult for these kids in high school. They’re great kids with just this one thing.” • “My daughter was afraid to approach her teachers.”