Open AccessSchool reopening during COVID-19 pandemic: Considering students with disabilities
Author(s) -
Joline E. Brandenburg,
Lainie Holman,
Susan Apkon,
Amy J. Houtrow,
Robert Rinaldi,
Maurice Sholas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.277
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1875-8894
pISSN - 1874-5393
DOI - 10.3233/prm-200789
Subject(s) - covid-19 , special education , pandemic , plan (archaeology) , learning disability , psychology , medical education , individualized education program , multiple disabilities , medicine , mathematics education , developmental psychology , disease , archaeology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , history
Over 80% of the children in the world have had their education impacted by COVID-19. For children with disabilities who receive special education services, access to in-person education and other resources at school is particularly important. The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for students to attend school in person, without specifics for how children with disabilities can safely return to school. To appropriately plan and accommodate children with disabilities we must prioritize safety, allow for adherence to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and preserve essential school staff. The less cumbersome default of confining students with disabilities to home is not acceptable. We provide an outline describing why Individual Education Plans and 504 plans are important, how they are related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recommendations for measures to help with safe return to school for children with disabilities.