Key Terms

 

Accessible:

Any site, building, or portion thereof that is approachable, functional and can be used by people with disabilities independently, safely, and with dignity is accessible.

 

ADA:  

Americans with Disabilities Act

 

ADAAA:

ADA Amendments Act of 2008.  Amendments to the ADA, which also amended the Rehabilitation Act, were signed into law September 25, 2008, and became effective January 1, 2008.  For more information on the ADAAA, please click here.

 

BIP:

A behavioral intervention plan for a student that uses positive behavior interventions, supports, and other strategies to address challenging behaviors and enables the student to learn socially appropriate and responsible behavior in school and/or educational settings.

 

Disability:

The legal definition contained in Section 504, 34 CFR 104.3(2)(I) states:

“Physical or mental impairment"--An individual has a disability covered by Section 504 if he or she has a physical or mental impairment includes: (1) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive, digestive, genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (2) any mental or physical disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.”

Title II provides only representative examples and the list is not meant to be exhaustive. Examples include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic disorders, muscular dystrophy, visual and hearing impairments, tuberculosis, speech impairment, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, alcoholism, drug addiction, emotional illness, cancer, HIV disease (symptomatic and asymptomatic), attention deficit disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

 

FAPE:

Free Appropriate Public Education.  Special education or specially designed instruction and related services for students ages three through 21.

 

FBA:

Functional behavioral assessment is a systematic process for defining a student’s specific behavior and determining the reason why (function or purpose) the behavior is occurring.  The FBA process includes examination of the contextual variables (antecedents and consequences) of the behavior, environmental components, and other information related to the behavior.  The purpose of conducting an FBA is to determine whether a behavioral intervention plan should be developed.

 

IDEA:

Individuals with Disabilities Act

 

IEP:

An IDEA term.  At the federal level, the IEP refers to an Individualized Education Program.  An IEP means a written statement for each student with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with state and federal guidelines governing the education of students with disabilities.  The written statement is a goal-focused document that supports students through specialized instruction and special education resources.

 

LEA:

Local Education Agency.

 

Major Life Activities:

Activities that include, but are not limited to, caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, speaking, walking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

 

MDR:

When a child with a disability engages in behavior or breaks a code of conduct and the school proposes to remove the child, the school must hold a hearing to determine if the child’s behavior was caused by his disability. This hearing, a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR), is a process to review all relevant information and the relationship between the child’s disability and the behavior.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/discipl.mdr.strategy.htm

 

Mitigating Measures:

Medical treatments or devices that lessen the effects of an impairment.  These measures are not to be taken into account when determining whether an individual is disabled.  Examples of mitigating measures listed in the ADAAA are as follows: medication; medical supplies; equipment or appliances.

 

Nondiscrimination:

Section 504 mandates nondiscrimination.  No otherwise qualified individual with a disability can solely by reason of his or her disability be subjected to discrimination

 

OCR:

Office for Civil Rights.  The office within the United States Department of Education responsible for monitoring Section 504.

 

OSEP:

Office of Special Education Programs

 

OSERS:

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

 

Reevaluation:

These are the procedures used to determine the Section student’s continued eligibility. A reevaluation must occur before any significant change in places and can occur when determining the appropriateness of the services being provided to the student with a disability. For eligible students, reevaluations will occur periodically as needed and at least every three years.

 

RtI:

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered approach to the early identification and support of students with learning, behavior, and social/emotional needs. RtI supports are provided  through informal evaluation procedures in which a student’s educational team will gather information to determine the most appropriate interventions and supports.  In District 128, this type of individual problem solving happens through Learning Support Teams.  Interventions for students through the RtI process may be in addition to, or in place of, a 504 plan depending on each student’s needs.

 

Related Services:

Developmental, corrective, and other supportive services, including psychological, counseling, and medical diagnostic services, and transportation.

 

Section 504 (504 Plan):

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs and activities.  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute providing that “No otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States...shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service.” (29 U.S.C., s.794)

 

Substantial Limitation:

There is a restriction in the manner, condition, or duration of the major life activity when compared to the average person in the general population or the individual is unable to perform the major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform.  When the condition does not substantially limit a major life activity, the individual does not qualify for services under section 504. Simply having an impairment does not automatically qualify a student for Section 504 services, accommodations, and modifications.

 

Suspension:

Disciplinary action requiring a student to spend time out of classes either in or out of school.  If student is based out of Libertyville High School, please see LHS student handbook.  If student is based out of Vernon Hills High School, please see VHHS student handbook.