Today Lyndsey Gillespie and I discuss special education and Section 504 accommodations. The summer is a great time to brush up on your education knowledge and accommodations are often misunderstood and under-utilized in programming.

An “accommodation” is simply a way to make the educational environment accessible, to level the playing field.

Accommodations can be provided for a child under either Section 504 or through an IEP under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for children who are qualified for special education services. An accommodation does not change the curriculum or the expectations within the class but rather ensures that your child is given what they need to access the curriculum and gain mastery of a subject.

Accommodations can include sensory breaks, copies of teacher or peer notes, scribes, IPADS, reduced homework, headphones, specialized seating, fidgets, and many more items and services to accommodate your child's individual and unique needs.

Accommodations within a 504 Plan or IEP also will apply to standardized testing. Your child may be able to get additional time and other accommodations based on their needs for state testing provided it is written into your child’s IEP or Section 504 plan.

It is important to be aware of the difference between modifications and accommodations. A "modification" is changing the curriculum by modifying it due to a child's needs. This is available for children who are qualified for special education and have an IEP. This may be done when your child is below grade level or has a learning disability, a cognitive impairment, or other challenges that make it difficult or impossible to learn without these changes. For instance, adapting a science curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities.