Price Lab Section 504/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Policy

Price Laboratory School (PLS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability with regard to admission, access to services, treatment or employment in its programs or activities based on the requirements outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The definition of an "individual with a disability" is a person who: has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working; or has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.

To meet this policy, PLS will evaluate students, identify student eligibility according to 504 law, and provide accommodations so that those eligible receive a free appropriate education. Parents of all students are entitled to and will receive procedural safeguards, including individual notice and an impartial hearing. No discrimination against any person with a disability will be knowingly permitted in any of the programs and practices at PLS.

As outlined by University Policy, PLS will provide reasonable accommodation to each employee and qualified employment applicant covered by Section 504 or the ADA unless it would pose and undue hardship on the operation of the program. Each of the programs of PLS will be readily accessible to individuals with disabilities when viewed in its entirety. PLS will furnish auxiliary aids and services to students, employees, parents, and members of the public who have disabilities to the extent necessary for communication with other persons unless it will result in an undue burden on or a fundamental alteration in the program.

PLS uses the university grievance procedure for disability discrimination complaints. For a description of this procedure, and further relevant information contact: PLS Administration Price Laboratory School 19th and Campus Cedar Falls, IA 50613 319.273.2514

Price Lab Section 504/ AD A Compliance Plan

The PLS 5O4/ADA compliance plan serves PLS students, parents patrons, and programs within PLS. Employees, applicants for employment are covered under University of Northern Iowa policies. PLS will not knowingly discriminate against any individual. The Section 504/ ADA Compliance Coordinator is available by inquiring at Price Laboratory Administrative Offices (address above). Parents are provided procedural safeguards as here outlined. An impartial hearing and review/appeal are provided on request. Notice to students, parents, employees, and the general public of non-discrimination assurances and parent/student rights in identification, evaluation and placement will be disseminated annually in the following manner:

• school website
• announcements or postings within the school building

PLS has established the following local grievance procedure to resolve complaints of discrimination as mandated by the family education rights and privacy act (FERPA):

• an alleged grievance under Section 504 or ADA must be filed in writing fully setting out the circumstances giving rise to the grievance
• the claim must be filed with PLS Administration
• a hearing will be conducted according to the procedures outlined in the regulations of FERPA
• the compliance officer will appoint a hearing officer (an individual, including an official of the school, who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing) who will conduct the hearing within a reasonable time after the request was received
• reasonable advanced notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing will be given to all parties
• complainants will be given full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised. Complaintants may be, at their own expense, assisted or represented by an individual of their choice, including an attorney
• the hearing decision will be delivered in writing no more than fifteen (15) days after the hearing is concluded
• the decision must be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and must include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision

PLS will notify families of the AEA annual "Child Find" campaign so that individuals qualified for services under Section 504 who live within the school area can be located and identified. PLS will inform all individuals with disabilities and their parents or guardians of the school's responsibilities and procedural safeguards under Section 504, as well as those under Iowa's Special Education Regulations and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

504 Eligibility Determination

Classroom Interventions

When a parent, teacher, administrator, or student identifies a concern general classroom interventions should be developed applied and data collected on the outcome of the intervention. During this period, close communication between the school and the parent and student is necessary. These communications are recorded as part of the intervention data. If after trying multiple interventions, the concern is not resolved a School Team Meeting STM) can be arranged with the Support Services Coordinator.

School Team Meeting

The meeting facilitator reviews the information gathered to date and may collect additional information. Appropriate ad hoc members are invited to attend the STM meeting. It is important that a team of people who know the student (ad hoc members, the teacher, the student and parents or guardians) be involved in the STM. The concern is explored using the IDEAL model (see STM). Additional interventions may be tried and monitored at this point. If one or more major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working are determined to possibly be substantially limited, a determination of 504 eligibility may be initiated.

Notification Of Parental Rights Based On Family Education Rights And Privacy Act

Each parent or guardian of a child being served under or considered for 504 or ADA eligibility is guaranteed the following:

• permission to inspect and review child's educational records
• permission to make copies of the child's records
• permission to receive a list of all individuals having access to those records
• an explanation of any item in the records
• the right to include an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading or violates the child's rights

Determination of Eligibility

Parental Notification: If the team initiates a determination of 504 eligibility parents must be notified of the evaluation before it is conducted.

Individualized Assessment: The evaluation should be tailored to assess the specific areas of concern and the particular student's educational needs.

Determination Of Eligibility: A student will be considered eligible for a 504 plan if he or she meets any of the following. The child has a chronic problem present across several, but not necessarily all setting. The student is substantially limited in one or more major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working. The student has a record of such an impairment;. The student is regarded as having such an impairment.

A specific disability diagnosis is not required under Section 504. If parent is concerned that the child may have ADD or ADHD, a 504 evaluation is not mandated unless the previously outlined conditions are met. If there is a medical concern that does not substantially affect the previously outlined conditions, that information should be forwarded to the nurse and 504 eligibility is not considered.

In Section 504, learning is interpreted very broadly and may include the following if the previously described requirements are met: frequent absences; frequent disciplinary referrals; extreme shyness; chronic hospitalization; chronic homebound instruction; homelessness; school phobia; students returning from private settings; suspension; expulsion; retention; divorce; death of someone near; potential drop-outs; or drug abusers.

Writing the 504 Plan

If the team documents that a student is substantially limited in one or more major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working an individual 504 plan will be written. The plan identifies the student, areas of strength and need, outlines the accommodations needed to support the student in the regular classroom environment, identifies the person(s) responsible for delivering those accommodations, and assigns a case manager. At the time the plan is written, the dates for periodic evaluations of the program are set. (See PLS 504 Plan.)

Procedural Safeguards Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 is an Act that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. Each parent or guardian of a child being served under 504 or ADA or considered for such service are guaranteed all of the FERPA rights listed previously as well as the following rights associated with 504 eligibility:

• the right to file a grievance with the coordinator over alleged violation of Section 5041 ADA regulations
• the right to be represented by counsel in the impartial hearing process
• to receive information in your native language or primary mode
• the right to have an evaluation that draws information from a variety of sources the right to be notified of any proposed action related to eligibility or 504 plan
• the right to periodic reevaluations and an evaluation before any significant change in program or eligibility
• the right for your child to be given an equal opportunity to participant in non-academic and extracurricular activities offered by the district

For further information please contact:
  Price Laboratory Administration
  19th and Campus
  Cedar Falls, IA 50613
  319.273.2514