Nystagmus in a School Setting – Evelyn Gonzalez

Evelyn Gonzalez, M.Div. — July 29, 2017 ANN Conference Presentation, Minneapolis, MN

This session explores navigating IEPs and 504s for students with nystagmus, the difference between accommodations and modifications, preparing for meetings with school leaders, and strategies for state and national testing.

Presentation Overview

• Differences between IEPs and 504s and how they apply to students with nystagmus
• Differences between accommodations and modifications, with examples from real classrooms
• How to prepare for a meeting with various school educators
• Strategies for state and national testing

Section 504

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 created and extended civil rights to people with disabilities.
• It provides children and adults with disabilities reasonable accommodations in education, employment, and other settings.

504 Plan

A 504 Plan is provided by a school to address the special needs of a student with a disability. For nystagmus, this involves addressing the vision impairment and its effects on the educational environment and the student’s learning.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

• The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was passed by Congress in 1975.
• In 1990, Congress reauthorized EHA and renamed it the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• IDEA has four parts and ensures students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs:
  • Part A — General law provisions
  • Part B — Assistance for education for all children with disabilities
  • Part C — Children from birth to age 3
  • Part D — National support programs administered at the federal level
• IDEA guarantees: Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Teacher Participation, and Procedural Safeguards.
• In 2004, IDEA was reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004 / IDEIA 2004).

Is Nystagmus Covered Under a 504 or IEP?

Students with nystagmus don’t automatically qualify for special education services. To be eligible, a student must:

• Have a disability, and as a result of that disability…
• Need special education in order to make progress in school
• Students with nystagmus always qualify for a 504 Plan.

Accommodations vs. Modifications

• Modification involves a change to what a student is taught or expected to learn.
• Accommodation is something that helps the student learn the same material and meet the same expectations as their classmates.

Preparing for an IEP/504 Meeting

Bring the following:

• Pediatric Ophthalmology Report
• Low Vision Specialist Report
• Information Sheet on Nystagmus
• Personalized information on your child’s specific needs

Who Attends the Meeting

• Teachers
• Counselor
• Administrator
• Special Education Specialists
• Vision Specialist
• District Representative
• Parents

Things to Remember

• You are the expert on your child’s needs.
• They are the experts on educating your child.
• Build a strong, collaborative relationship.

Potential Accommodations for Nystagmus

Accommodations vary from child to child:

• Large print (note: large print can cause eye fatigue, which may make the nystagmus worse)
• Copies of overhead and board presentations
• Sit in front of the room (best side for null point)
• Have their own copy of materials — cannot share with a classmate
• Extra time on tests and assignments
• Visit the classroom the day before school starts
• Technology (magnifiers, laptops, etc.)
• Recording devices
• Copy of class notes from the teacher or another student
• No scantron (bubble) tests — they may cause eye fatigue; write answers on the test paper
• Sunglasses and hats (to deal with sunlight or glare)
• Ability to move seats as needed

State and National Testing

• State and national tests typically follow the current IEP or 504 plan.
• College Board and ACT require a current vision exam and report.
• Low vision specialists may provide the best reports for national testing centers because they perform more comprehensive testing.

SAT and ACT

• Extra time on tests is possible.
• Double time requires the student to split the SAT over two days — the student will miss a day of school for testing.
• Time and a Half results in a longer testing day (e.g., six hours instead of four).