[blindkid] Braille book availability in school

[Carlton Anne Cook Walker]

Sue,

I'd approach this by going back to basics.

Federal law (the IDEA) requires that children with special educational needs
(such as those who are blind) are legally entitled to receive a "free,
appropriate public education."  This is also referred to as "FAPE."

It is not hard to argue that the provision of reading materials (such as
those provided to sighted students) is a most basic example of FAPE.  To
refuse such access is clearly a denial of FAPE and, therefore, illegal.

If the TVI wishes to insist that a braille reader must be present at all
times when braille books (or labels, posters, etc.) are available, then it
would appear that she is advocating for a full-time educational specialist
who is trained in and competent with braille to be on the school grounds
full-time.  At least that's how I would frame her demands.


You may wish to consider taking her unreasonable position to its logical
conclusion -- either the school needs to provide a full-time staff member
(with substitute coverage) who is fluent in braille to be on-hand at all
times or the TVI needs to take it down a few notches and allow braille
outside of her presence.  Either way, I might use her unreasonable position
to try to advocate for a different (read competent and reasonable) TVI, if
at all possible.



Carlton

-- 
Carlton Anne Cook Walker
213 North First Street
McConnellsburg, PA    17233
Voice: 717-485-4529
Cell: 717-658-9894
Twitter: braillemom