Meeting the Communication Needs of Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities

Federal laws require public schools to meet the communication needs of students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must provide a student with a disability a free appropriate public education (FAPE) designed to provide meaningful educational benefit through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, schools must, without charge, ensure that communication with students with disabilities is as effective as communication with students without disabilities, giving primary consideration to students and parents in determining which auxiliary aids and services are necessary to provide such effective communication. This issue of NASET’s Q & A Corner comes from the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education. It will focus on meeting the communication needs of students with hearing, vision or speech disabilities.