[blindlaw] New York Testing Accommodations

[NMPBRAT at aol.com]

Ann,
Although I do not live or work in the state of NY but instead  am in Ohio, 
I am a licensed Intervention Specialist who also happens to be  legally 
blind and although I do not work exclusively with blind students, I have  had 
blind or visually impaired students in the past.  
As long as you can justify the reasoning for the accommodation  based upon 
her disability, she can receive the accommodation.  It sounds to  me like 
there is substantial justification for the accommodation of read  aloud.  As 
an example, I have put the read aloud accommodation for state  & district 
wide testing for students who have attention issues (ie. ADD,  ADHD)....not 
because they couldn't read but because someone reading to them  helped them to 
focus and remain on task, which allowed them to show their true  potential 
on the material.  If the dyslexia is identified in her IEP, the  
accommodation could also be justified based upon that because that is a reading  
disability.  
So I absolutely see that the accommodation could be  justified.  
Now, to what extent or what can be read, is another  matter.  There are 
rules that must be followed.  Since I am not  familiar with what specific tests 
your state is using, it is difficult for me to  answer that question.  Ohio 
is using PARCC.  If for some reason that  is what NY is using, I could give 
you further info. on it.  Otherwise, your  child's teacher should have 
access or know where to get access to find out the  extent to which it can be 
read.  
 
If I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to  contact me off 
list.
Good luck!
Nicole 
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/26/2014 7:03:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
aprevost at sidley.com writes:

I am  wondering if anyone has experience in testing accomodations for 
visually  impaired school-aged children. I have a visually-impaired daughter. She 
is  also dyslexic. She is getting double time and will be able to use her 
CCTV  during the Common-Core ELA test. Someone suggested that she should be 
given a  reader (to read the questions at least).
She has to read LONG passages,  read the questions and often times it is 
required to go back to the passage  and find specific details in order to 
answer the questions. Even at double  time - this is most difficult for someone 
with a visual impairment on top of  dyslexia.
No one I speak to seems to know anything (including her vision  teacher 
from the Department of Vision Services). Does anyone on this list have  any 
ideas? The test is next week so this is urgent.

Thank  you.

Ann

Ann Marie Prevost
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh  Avenue
New York, New York  10019
aprevost at sidley.com
212-839-5408





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