By Joseph Pfrommer, Esq.

Here’s the perfect quick-reference guide for all IEP and 504 team members — a walk-through of the major steps in the process of referring, evaluating and determining accommodations for students with medical conditions under the IDEA or Section 504.

Team members will open this resource and immediately begin applying the guidance to better understand their legal obligations. It’s patterned after a flowchart, so staff proceed step by step (17 for IDEA; 13 for 504), and are redirected as outcomes dictate. Plus, staff are further guided in making compliant eligibility and other decisions with:

• Sidebars throughout highlighting relevant tips, answers to common questions, case summaries and regulatory citations
• Lists of accommodations commonly considered when determining how to serve the student under either law
• Practical pointers such as how to allay parent fears over the release of medical information for evaluations, and dos and don’ts of handling medication on field trips
• 12 “You Be the Judge” quizzes testing staff knowledge against actual hearing officer and OCR decisions, with explanations of why each possible answer is or isn’t correct
• And more!