Reduced Interpreting Services
PanickedParent:We went to the "meet the teacher" thing at school tonight, as our children start school on Monday. Sally is [X years old] (deaf) and going into the Xth grade...long story short, I was told this evening that the school funding has been severely cut and there is just one interpreter for the 1 X grader and 1 (Sally) Xth grade student...how is this supposed to work? Sally is only with the mainstream class for like 2 hours and in the self contained deaf-ed class the rest of the day...how do I battle with a school district that has funding for the football team and no funding for a morning terp for my kid? I was just thinking that those of you who have had to fight for services may have an idea for me...
The next day, PanickedParent posted:
I posted yesterday about the fact that I just learned that my deaf Xth grader (Sally) has to share an interpreter with the deaf Xth grader (obviously not in the same classroom which will leave huge gaps). I was told due to budget cuts there is just 1 terp for both kids...was hoping someone had a good idea for approaching the issue with a school district that values the football program, and cuts the deaf education services budget. Nobody responded so I am guessing you all have been lucky enough to not have to face this in your schools. Does anyone at least know of a good list that could help me figure out what to do next? If I had learned about this sooner, I could have a plan in place...school starts Monday 8/22 and I just found out yesterday.
Parental Advice
Amazed:My husband always had an interpreter through high school and university. As far as I know, there were never any gaps. Without an interpreter, your child will certainly miss a substantial amount of communication in the classroom.
I don't know in which state your live, but I encourage you to consult the district policy first. If there is something written about providing assistance, then you can go in armed with that. Further, I would consider contacting an attorney specializing in disabilities. Sometimes, a firm word can go a long way.
Queen:
Write a Letter
Wrights Law if you do a search on the internet, is an advocacy resource for parents, It won't be of immediate help but sounds like you are in for a long term fight so best to start preparing for it as soon as possible.
I'd say your plan should be to send a letter which is
polite but to the point, stating IDEA and ADA laws and how they would be
violated if Sally sat in a classroom with no interpreter.
Avoid any kind of accusing or sarcasm in the letter as that will only backfire on you. Ask the school how you can assist in working together to resolve this difficulty. CC this letter to anyone you can think of in the school system, including the school board representatives, special education parent liasons or anyone else you can think of. Have someone read over the letter before you send it to give suggestions as to "tone". In no way indicate that it would be appropriate for you to come in and "fill in" for the gaps. Send the letter registered mail, return receipt requested.
Audiotape Meeting
Ask to audiotape the meeting they have with you to discuss this issue, if there is one. Let them know in a polite but stern manner
that you will not let this issue drop. Make sure that in the IEP it states that Sally requires the services of a QUALIFIED sign
language interpreter in ALL classes and for ALL school related activities 100% of the time. If it doesn't, make this change immediately. Then quote that line in your IEP when you write your letter.
Stick to Facts
Stick to the facts. Sally is deaf. Sally communicates in sign language. Sally cannot access the curriculum in any other manner, etc., etc. Calculate the number of hours of education which Sally is not receiving under the current plan of a half time interpreter. Contrast the total hours of education Sally is receiving with the number of hours Sally's hearing peers are receiving. (this is the "shortage" amount that the school might then "owe" you through summer school, private tutoring or something like that at the end of the school year to make up for what they didn't give Sally in the first place)
