Students with disabilities are entitled to the use of assistive technology in order to benefit their education. by Stephanie Matzen

James Pack

2015-06-15 20:25:13 UTC

When drafting a student's IEP, the ARD committee must make considerations in the use of assistive technology and determine if it is necessary for the child to receive FAPE. The technology must be required if the student cannot achieve adequate progress without the use of such technology.

Assistive Technology in Texas Schools Series (2004). "Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective." (p. 11) Retrieved from: http://www.texasat.net/users/0011/Legal%20Mod/Legal.Persp.Guides.pdf

Jazmin Powell

jazminpowell562 — 2015-06-17 00:23:30 UTC

Section 504 is great because it applies to all students with disabilities, even those students who have medical conditions.We are aware that medical conditions are just as important as disabilities, so it was a good idea this act was implemented. Section 504 entitles educational accommodations to students not considered to have a disability. Giving all students the chance to participate in activities and access to facilities equaly.

Elizabeth Chuang

elizabethchuang — 2015-06-17 04:19:15 UTC

I agree that Section 504 is extremely important in establishing students' rights to accessing education, and in this light I want to note that it is also important to remember that, just providing the tools is not enough. According to Dell, et al. (2012) it is also important to teaching the students how to use the AT provided to them under the act (p. 11).

Ashley Morrison

ashmorrison415 — 2015-06-17 04:44:06 UTC

I believe that section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is very important because it "applies to a broader range of students than those who fall within the 13 categories of disabilities specified by IDEA 2004" (Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2013, p. 8). Some children have conditions that effect their education, but are not considered to have a disability. With 504 those students can receive the help they need to be academically successful.

Lynn Dauser

lmalvey — 2015-06-17 22:05:12 UTC

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is extremely important because it paved the way for anti-discrimination and civil rights for individuals with disabilities. It is important that parents of children with disabilities are familiar with the law and its components so they are able to help their child receive the most beneficial education possible. An excellent website for parents is www.greatschools.org. It gives a parent's guide to Section 504 which supplies parents with useful information, such as who is eligible to receive accommodations under Section 504, what types of accommodations may be used, and how often their child will be re-evaluated.

Dannielle Leger

dannielle_ruth — 2015-06-18 00:39:14 UTC

Section 504 was important for everyone with a disability whether they qualify for special education services or not. It ensured that these students would still receive technology and assistance to further their education. This legislation is also a great tool for students that are in the special education program. With this and the IDEA children with disabilities should have , in a perfect world, no problem getting the assistive technology they need.

Judy Avellaneda

avellanedajudy — 2015-06-18 02:08:58 UTC

I believe that Section 504 made a huge impact on schools in the past and today. Without this act, many students would not have the ability to qualify for programs that special education students receive. This along with the IDEA act have made an important difference in the lives of students who suffer from different types of disabilites. I still ask myself, how much different would school programs be if neither of these acts were ever enforced?

Kate Zuelke

k8zuelke — 2015-06-18 03:06:20 UTC

Section 504 is really saying that people are different and may need different things to learn, to walk, to speak, and that it's against the law to descriminate becasue of these differences. We would never deny a person crutches if they broke their leg so why would we deny a person a quiet place to take a test if that's what they needed. Section 504 allows accomodations for anyone.

Rebecca Jardon

jardonrebecca — 2015-06-18 04:20:35 UTC

Section 504 was a great contribution to the assistance that special needs students receive. No matter the severity of their disability, no individual can be denied the benefit of receiving help (Dell, Newton, Petroff, p.8). This act reinforced the idea that every student should receive equal education.

Kathryn Szkody

kathryn_szkody — 2015-06-18 20:56:18 UTC

Section 504 is key to the protection of the civil rights of people with disabilities in this country. Not only does it guarantee educational accommodations, but it guarantees these accommodations to any student with a disability, regardless of whether they have qualified for special education services. On the occasion that a student with disabilities cannot qualify for services, Section 504 is what will provide for their educational needs. In this way, I view Section 504 as a kind of safety net or a fail-safe, helping to cut down the number of students who fall through the cracks because they didn't receive the assistance they needed in the classroom.

Karly Gibberman

gibberman_k7 — 2015-06-18 22:53:00 UTC

Section 504 is the saving grace for students with disabilities who did not qualify for special education under the IDEA 2004. The IDEA only has 13 categories of disabilities where children can be considered as having a disability. Section 504 is a civil rights provision that allows those with other disabilities outside of the IDEA 2004 to be entitled to accommodations and assistive technology to avail themselves of educational opportunities (Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2012, pg. 9).

Erica Preston

erica_rae1992 — 2015-06-19 00:22:52 UTC

Section 504 serve the students with medical conditions also(Dell, Newton, & Petroff, 2012, pg. 8). This act makes it possible for student that have medical conditions go to school and receive the nurse or transportation needed for that student to go to school for free. Could this also be a part of why students that have doctor appointments dont get counted as an unexcusse tardy or absent?

Caitlin Woods

crwoods93 — 2015-06-19 03:23:07 UTC

Section 504 is crucial and very much needed in the world of special education. We are supposed to provide a free, public education for all students and they should all get a fair chance. No one should be pushed to the side because of something that causes them to struggle in their studies. We as teachers need to provide that opportunity for them to be able to learn just like the students without disabilities. Students that have serious medical conditions benefit from Section 504. They will receive the services they need if the medical condition impacts their education. Why would we not want to help those students?

Patricia Records

joseerecords — 2015-06-19 03:23:07 UTC

Section 504 is amazing considering it provides protection for students who may not fall into the IDEA umbrella. 504 allows for students with dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and many others the ability to receive services that will benefit their education.

Amanda Firenza

2015-06-19 03:33:24 UTC

In the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the section 504 is a vital piece. It truly protects all students and assures that they receive an equal opportunity at an education. Every student has the right to the same education as any of their peers. It provides students with disabilities a guarantee that they will receive appropriate services and AT that they need in order to function and learn to the best of their abilities.

Emily Jackson

ejj_hais — 2015-06-19 22:21:05 UTC

Section 504 is vital for protecting the rights of our students. It protects students with or without disabilities, English language learners, and more. This protects every students' access to the least restrictive environment and any programs they need as long as the school receives federal funding.