504 plans for high school students

[candice88]

Hi,

I'm new to the site.   I have a question about 504 plans - everyone from support groups to Children's Hospital and ADA recommend having one.  I've contacted my school (my daugher is a Sophmore) about setting one up to cover being able to eat/drink in SATs/WASL, having extra time if needed and having excuses absences directly related to diabetes illness or doctors appointments.  I've read the Helping your student with Diabetes Suceed manual and they state the same things I'm asking for but I'm getting resistance from her school counselor.  Does it cost the school for having 504 plans?   Anyone else faced resistance?  

Thanks!

[JDRF-Team-wak]

I am not a physician, but the mom of a type one diabetic.   first of all it does not cost the school to  have a 504 it actually in the long run they get money for having one.  I have found that most schools will fight the parents and tell them that they do not need it or the accommodations cannot be done.  That is a lie.  The law is there for a reason.  In some states like NY, they have books that state the law.   This website is for NY, but it has some great samples and ideas.  Check with your local health department or department of social services.

I have heard schools; give parents hard times when the child did not have a 504 till just before it was time for the PSATS. The school would not make accommodations for PSATS, when the kid never had one and now the   family fighting for the accommodations

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/diabetes/resource/schools.pdf

Also check out www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
They have a section just for 504 plans, by age and grade

The things that you have asked for are definitely with in reason and allowed for children with diabetes.  You can contact your local JDRF, they might be able to put you in touch with another family that has dealt with the same school system and that can help you out.   We do that at our chapter.  

I hope this helps.  Please check back with us and let us know how things are going.

[galzee]

HI Candice!  Just wanted to give you a heads-up when it comes to taking the PSAT.  You need to contact the College Board folks and obtain the necessary paperwork from your daughter's physician in order for her to be able to bring her glucometer, water, juice & snack into the test and also to be able to leave to check her bg if needed.  I found this out very late in the game and had to do some pretty fancy footwork in order to get the approval in time for the test.  She needs to be approved for extended break time, not extended test time.  My daughter's experience was horrible.  The proctor for the exam gave my daughter extended time, instead of extended break time and the College Board called us after the exam and told us that my daughter's scores were voided because of this mistake.  They wouldn't even give me the scores - just a credit for the money we paid to be applied to the next exam.  Just a nightmare.  You need to check all of this out ahead of time and make sure that the school where she's going to be taking the test understands exactly what needs to happen the day of the test.  Please look into visiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation website at www.jdrf.org and requesting more information about this topic & other college issues through them.  I'm on their on-line diabetes support team, so if you'd like to talk further with me you can request this there - just ask for gg.  Good luck to you & your daughter!

[candice88]

Thanks for your responses!   I checked out both websites and printed out some information to take with me to the meeting we have set up.

I'm totally behind on this process!   Good to hear of your experience though - I can't imagine your poor daughter having to retake the test over again - once I'm sure is bad enough and I wouldn't have even thought of that.   Somehow I don't think her counselor is going to be telling us these things.  :)

Thanks again!

[RickInIowa]

Sorry, just catching up on this question.

504 plans are allowed for every diabetic.  There have been several lawsuits about this, most prominently in Virginia, and they have ALL ruled that diabetics qualify for 504s under the serious impairment clause.  Your school district cannot legally deny you a 504, although they will do their best to try, for several reasons.  It's primarily because it limits their liability.  A 504 plan is a legal document from a federal statute, and if something goes wrong during school, with a 504 plan in place they are legally responsible.  But they cannot legally deny you one.  To be honest, the American Diabetes Association does a really good job with legal assistance for this issue.  If your district fights it, I'd give them a call.  They keep lawyers on staff to specifically do that.  JDRF doesn't, we put that money to research.

[aquatheory]

You know its incredible what we have allowed diabetes to become. My mother has been type II for about 15 years. It's been a huge factor in the quality of my life. I love her, but it is so extremely difficult to cope with things like low blood sugar reactions and poverty and so many other adversities. I'm 29 and I feel so stressed I think Ive got thyroid imbalance and the adrenal burnout...I'm so sick of it all. And I wouldnt even really have many options for healthcare for her or me. Luckily I have a health plan http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/aagate  if it wasnt for that discount health and dental plan. I wouldn't be able to afford anything...and my mother wouldn't even qualify for any thing...not health or medical... and heardly any type of vision or prescription plan. Its crazy what america has done to its citizens!