Preventing discrimination

[Dutch941]

Anyone know what the rules are which prevent a school from penalizing a UC or Crohns kid for any issue related to their disorder?
I'm trying to gear up a response to a potential issue:
Here how it goes...
Today, Matt missed swimming after school...this due to a gastric issue over the weekend and missing school due to this issue. Tomorrow he has a swim meet and i assume the coach will say he can't partake because he missed last swim practice.
Thursday he will miss practice for his 3 month GI visit....so Friday he will likely be told he can't partake in his final swim meet. Both are UC related issues and both are unavoidable..
I believe I remember being informed that the school cannot penalize him for these issues....anyone know where I would get the information to argue this point?

 

[my little penguin]

My son has a 504 plan which covers his Crohn's disease stating he can not be penalized for absences due to his disease or appts .
We also have a letter from his Gi stating this and a few other things that were used to support the 504.

Ccfa has a link on a template for 504 and Ibd
Highly recommend reading it .

The student will not be penalized for tardiness or absences required for medical appointments and/or illness. If the school gives an award for perfect attendance, the student will remain eligible for that award if his/her only absences are due to medical appointments and/or treatment. If the student is tardy, he/she will be permitted to participate in school for that portion of the day for which he/she is in attendance

From:
http://www.ccfa.org/resources/template-section-504-plan.html

 

[Dutch941]

Thanks....that is the section I recalled......does he have to be evaluated at some point by the school to be considered eligible for section 504 privileges or do they automatically apply?

 

[Dutch941]

What's your thoughts about missing a practice due to illness and then being prevented from the meet?

 

[Jim (POPS)]

I don't think there is any law in regards to this. I belive the school/coach can run the swim team anyway he wants. The only way to find out is to ask him "on what grounds are you not allowing my child to partake" and ask for it in wrighting. If it goes that far I would take it up with the school board. At some point they will backdown. I think that it is just the coaches rule and if you get the letter from your GI to him and talk to him about it, things will be ok. Good luck.

 

[my little penguin]

You have to request a 504 eligibility meeting through the schools 504 coordinator in writing. They have x number of school days to respond .
Section 504 is a federal law under the Americans with disabilities Act amendment .
You will need a letter stating his diagnosis as well as any accomindations you and the Gi agree that he needs.
The school does not have to agree to any of these .
They only need to prove reasonable accomindations to insure your child has
Access to a free and Apporiate education along side his able bodied peers.
It does not mean they have to limit everything else.
A 504 plan may be called something else depending on the state check your doe website for your state.
Not sure how it applys to sports but if it is a school sponsored function I assume the rules would apply . I know for food allergies the 504 applies to school sports .

504 plans are hard to get for food allergies not sure how hard they are to get for Ibd since DS already had one for four years -so we just added to it no issues .

Good luck - does the coach know about his Ibd?
All of DS 's swim coaches know - so this has not been an issue but he is alot younger

 

[my little penguin]

Extra-curricular programs: The student will be allowed to participate in programs and events without penalty due to absenteeism

From:
http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/teachers_guide_brochure_final.pdf

 

[my little penguin]

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs092/1108931207896/archive/1110267201026.html

Improve care now letter on 504 plans and Ibd

 

[Mehita]

If you don't have a 504 in place you really, really need to get one. Start by contacting the principal and requesting a 504 evaluation. Some districts involve the parents, others don't (and legally they don't have to). Crohn's falls under the category of "digestive" disability. Having a 504 plan in place is what got my son exempt from many non-essential homework assignments when he was in the hospital, allows him stop-clock testing, and lenient bathroom "privileges" (I still laugh about that one - privileges!). He doesn't stress out about school now knowing that he can't be discriminated against. Most teachers are good with our Crohn's kids, but there is always a bad apple in the bunch... and that's where the 504 helps.

I'm not sure how athletics falls with a 504 plan. I know there were issues with my son and the Math Club. When I called his guidance counselor, he didn't say it directly, but gave me the impression that the 504 covers anything that is sponsored by the school district?

Of course talking with the coach is the best option, but for the future, it's nice to have that 504 in your pocket for when things like this come up again.

Good luck!!

 

[Mehita]

MLP's on top of it! Just do everything MLP says and you'll be good to go!

 

[jmckinley]

I would look into the new order from the dept of education that requires schools to provide team opportunities to those with disabilities. There may be some wording that helps with the practices. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201301-504.pdf


But GET THAT 504 PLAN!! It's a blessing when things are tough! It makes the kids feel so much more at ease at school and that helps their stress level (i.e. symptoms!)

 

[izzi'smom]

You've been given great advice already. I agree to have a 504 plan. We have 1 in place despite Izz being fairly healthy as lIfe can get overwhelming when she is sick. Hoping that it's not an issue for you with he swim meets.

 

[Tesscorm]

I agree with getting the legalities in place but have you spoken with Matt's teachers and coaches? When Stephen was diagnosed, his principal set up a meeting with Stephen and I, all his teachers and phys.ed. teachers/coaches. It allowed us to explain the issues and gave Stephen an opportunity to give his teachers feedback as to what he felt he was capable of doing (including catching up on missed work). We also spoke with his rep hockey team coach who was also very understanding.

There's tons of info re schools in this thread (link below), Dusty also added a summary of the letter she wrote to inform her daughter's school of her illness.
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=18420

 

[Jmrogers4]

Yes 504 plan and remember once it is written it is not set in stone you can make adjustments as needed. Jack started off with one in 5th grade that basically just gave him bathroom privileges at anytime.
Now it also includes bathroom privileges, snacks/drinks at anytime (this because there is no food allowed in the hallway), late assignments without penalty (school policy is 2 days for each day missed). They need a date I have heard of 10 days from others with 504's. Jack's states he has until the week before final testing each semester to turn in late assignments. It also says that his instructors may drop assignments at their discretion. Just recently when he was not feeling well and had his scopes his math teacher dropped about 6 assignments and even a test as she said it was stuff they would continue to study so he was fine with not doing it. He typically has homework in her class every night so this was a big help. We like to call it giving him the meat and not the potatoes. In other words give him the important stuff he needs for comprehension but not the busy work. His absences also do not count towards the 90% policy or the 9 absences they are allowed per semester. Stop the clock testing. These are also included in his extracurricular activities as long as they are school sponsored.
I have found communication to be key. When he misses 2 or more days because of a flare. I email all his teachers and tell them he is experiencing some difficulties related to his Crohn's and that when he is feeling well enough to come back to school there may be some lingering symptoms and fatigue. I also let them know when he will be gone for doctors appts./procedures if there are a bunch of them that are occurring close together. They have all been pretty willing to work with us.

 

[crohnsinct]

Hey Dutch - I am late to the party but O has a 504 and it specifically states that she may not be penalized for missed practices due to infusions, doc appointments etc. However, if she misses a practice due to IBD related illness she suffers the same consequence as anyone who misses a practice due to strep, flu etc...the school says, sick is sick and if the rule is no competing then she doesn't get to compete.

She also gets to self monitor for gym. So if she sits out of gym one day because she doesn't feel well then she doesn't get to practice or compete that same day.

I hope he got to swim.

 

[Brian'sMom]

Dutch,
Our 504 is reviewed every year. I and or the teachers are allowed to make changes as they apply. It will now be in place all throughout his school years. We all agree to the wording and the content before its signed each year. Since this disease is so unpredictable its sooo important to have a 504 in place.