[blindkid] O&M question

Carlton Anne Cook Walker carltonwalker at gmail.com
Tue Jan 6 19:52:56 UTC 2009


Bonnie,

One thing I do is out the onus on them: Exactly what classes in this
school are not essential?  That's a real tough question for them to
answer.  If they say all the classes are essential, then they have
proven their point for you.  If they claim that some classes are NOT
essential, you ask why public tax dollars are being spent and valuable
time wasted on non-essential activities.


Either way, you emphasize that, under federal law (the IDEA), Aubrie
is legally entitled to a free, appropriate public education.  If she
is missing classes that sighted students get, then she could not be
receiving the public education to which she (as an academic student,
like her sighted peers) is entitled.


Of course, they may argue that she needs the O&M and they can only
provide it during school hours.  Get them to put this in writing.
Such a position is illegal.  The term "appropriate" applies to the
needs of the child, not the comfort of the school district.
Essentially, Aubrie has all the educational needs of er sighted peers
AS WELL AS needs related to her blindness.  One should not supplant
the another.  She needs (and is legally entitled to) it all.



Good luck, and take care!!




Carlton

-- 
Carlton Anne Cook Walker
213 North First Street
McConnellsburg, PA    17233
Voice: 717-485-3383




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