Intended for U.S.Your Educational Rights
Students with primary immunodeficiency (PI) are protected by laws that provide guidelines and requirements for how schools should respond if learning is impacted by a health condition.1 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is designed to protect the rights of individuals of all ages with disabilities in programs that receive assistance from the U. S. Department of Education. Protection for students with chronic illnesses is also included in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) – Amended 2008 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
What You Can Expect From Your School2
The National Institutes of Health offer a downloadable guide entitled Students with Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students. It provides a quick snapshot of both the family’s and the school’s responsibilities, which is useful for children with primary immunodeficiency. Some of the things you have a right to expect from your school are:
- A review of your student’s health records
- A meeting to discuss health accommodations and education aids
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws that affect your student’s rights
- Co-ordination and training of staff to meet your student’s health and education needs
- Strategies to reduce disruption in your student’s school activities
- Access to needed medications
- Preparation for any possible health emergency
- Communication with healthcare providers as authorized by the family
- Proper record keeping
What You Are Responsible For2
Of course, families have an important role to play, too, including:
- Notifying the school of changes in the student’s diagnosis and needs as early as possible
- Providing authorization for medication and emergency treatment signed by the healthcare provider
- Meeting with the school team to develop plans to address your child’s healthcare, educational, and emotional needs
- Providing an adequate supply of medication in pharmacy-labeled containers
Additional Resources
- National Disability Rights Network has a search tool to help you locate school and advocacy resources in your state.
- U. S. Department of Education has a section for parents of kids with special needs.
- Wrightslaw offers information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
- IDF School Guide, Information about Students with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. http://www.primaryimmune.org/publications/school_guide.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2010.
- National Institutes of Health. Students with Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/guidfam.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2010.
