[blindkid] Questions for IEP

[Diane.Brauner at Perkins.org]

As an educator, I am excited when parents actively participate in IEP meetings, ask questions, provide input - especially on how the student handles homework and how the student feels about school, peers, etc.  Parents like you - who are actively seeking information from other sources - are also aware of the daily ins/outs of how the student is doing in school.  If your daughter has an any issue, you are probably already aware of it and working with her educational team to resolve it.  Support from home makes all the difference!

From your original statement, it sounds like your daughter has excellent service.  I’m assuming that her academic skills are inline with her peers, so you are probably seeking information about additional skills related to her visual impairment. Prior to the meeting, I would learn as much as you can about what skills your daughter’s class will be learning this year and what tools your daughter needs to accomplish these skills.  In this digital age, tech skills are critical for all students!  Technology, with its built-in accessibility, can level the playing field for students who are visually impaired! Here are some tech-related questions to consider for her IEP.  Are there any modifications that she needs to access materials used? You did not mention what is your daughter’s preferred learning media (print, large print/magnification/braille or a combination). What technology does she currently use and what tech skills will be needed?  Are there apps that will help her access materials, such as a screen sharing app to view what is on the board if she is low vision or an accessible calculator app? Does she use a screen reader?  What is the speed of the speech rate on her screen reader? Does she keyboard/type efficiently? Does she receive and read books from Bookshare? To help jump-start tech discussions, here is a post that lists general tech skills required for mainstream high schoolers and for fifth graders; the post also adds tech skills for students who are visually impaired. Mastering Tech Skills: When and What?<http://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/mastering-tech-skills-when-and-what>

Hope this helps!

Diane

On Sep 10, 2017, at 7:18 PM, Deborah Kent Stein via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindkid at nfbnet.org>> wrote:



Future Reflections recently ran a special issue about IEPs, Volume 36,
Number 2. The feature article is a detailed explanation of the IEP and what
it should include by TVI, attorney, and parent Carlton Walker. You can find
the online version by visiting www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org/> and clicking on Publications.



-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy
Smothermon via blindkid
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2017 11:04 AM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Judy Smothermon <hayjud at cox.net<mailto:hayjud at cox.net>>
Subject: [blindkid] Questions for IEP

I have a nine year old daughter that is visually impaired, she has her big
IEP meeting coming up in two weeks. Although she is provided excellent
service, as her parent I don't just want to go into this meeting sitting
back with no questions to ask. Can anyone offer any good advise on how to
prepare my husband and I to be our child's advocate, what are some good
questions to ask?
Thank you in advance, Judy

Judy Smothermon

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