[blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP

[Pui via blindkid]

Hello everybody,

I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and a dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted to reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30 minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.

For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual media, low vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have heard nothing from them.

Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and he said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult for the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to them. They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take those minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of the IEP we want, and don't want.

All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I am sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't consent to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new kindergarten goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling me that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the same, but we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously not true according to the lawyer.

Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial IEP was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for his second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no VI or blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an outdated model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M and OT are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided for school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the IEP 4) summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and general education teachers. Our school district is relatively wealthy, so there are funds.

Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals" know best.

Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and encouraging!

Pui Burmahln

Sent from my iPad