Do you have a child with special transportation needs, such as autism or a physical disability? Do you have any questions about the schools’ responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in terms of providing transportation for your child? This page explains what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides in terms of transportation for children with disabilities. Parenting advice is also included in this section, so you can help your child obtain this critical service.
Transportation is a linked service in the eyes of IDEA. For example, a child with a handicap would need transportation and other relevant assistance in order to get the most out of special education..
When it comes to special education, this implies that if your child needs transportation in order to benefit from their educational experience, the school must supply it.
The following are some helpful hints for parents.
First, remember that when you are advocating for your child, transportation does not just imply going to and from school, but also any unique equipment that your child needs to go around the school.
Two. The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability under Section 504 of the Act. Discrimination based on disability is prohibited in all forms of school transportation and activities, including athletics, clubs, clubshouses, and any other service provided by the school district, according to federal legislation passed in 1990.
For instance: Due to the lack of a wheelchair-accessible bus, your child with a physical disability is unable to participate in a field trip. Your child is being discriminated against due of their disability, so this would be a Section 504 complaint If you tell the school district that you may submit a Section 504 complaint, they usually fix the transportation problem immediately. Despite the fact that each state has at least one Office of Civil Rights, the Office of Civil Rights in Washington is responsible for Section 504.
It’s possible that if your child needs a help in the classroom, you may be able to receive a bus assistant as well. The purpose of transportation as a connected service is to ensure that students may get to school without fear of being mugged. As a result, if your child requires a bus assistant to travel to school safely, the school must supply it.
If your child’s school district does not provide transportation to and from school, you may be eligible for reimbursement for providing the transportation yourself. Your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) should include transportation as a service, and you should be reimbursed for it.
Parents may also be entitled to reimbursement if a school district fails to do the following:
FAPE cannot be provided if transportation is not provided by the district.
- The district doesn’t think transportation is necessary.
C. There are not enough transportation options in the district.
It is necessary to provide transportation if your child’s extracurricular activity is linked to his or her IEP goals and objectives. Taking part in extracurricular activities might help a child with autism improve their social skills. As a result, your school system will need to take care of the transportation for you.
Your child’s school day cannot be reduced due to transportation issues. This unfortunately happens all the time, and you may have to maintain your ground in the face of special education staff if you truly care about your child’s well-being.
A full school day for students with disabilities is provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In the past, I’ve said that parents of children without disabilities would be indignant if they learned that their child had to leave school early to catch a ride. In any case, parents of children with special needs are expected to embrace this reality. Take a stance for your child instead of letting them down.