Diabetes at School
In a school setting, for all ages and all grades, there are laws in place protecting students with Type 1 Diabetes. To ensure that these students are being held to the right standard of care, there are two different plans in place to outline the students needs and necessary accommodations that must be met. There is a 504 Plan and an IEP. A 504 is a plan set in place to protect those with disabilities from being discriminated against which is made to meet the requirements of the federal law.
An IEP - Individualized Education Program, is a separate plan which outlines what the school will do to meet the specific child's needs, educationally. To set up an IEP, a team is created consisting of certain members of the school to ensure that those who deal with the child in all settings during school are present.
When students with disabilities participate in any type of extracurricular activity with their school, the laws still protect the individual in allowing them to be involved. In the case of a school field trip, whether it is a part day event, or an overnight, the school is still required to provide care for the child. The school is not allowed to mandate that the parents attend field trips in order for the student to participate. A 504 Plan does still cover school trips even when they are off campus. Likewise, the 504 also covers extracurricular activities - athletics, interscholastic activities, and after school after-care programs. In which case it is still the schools responsibility to provide the appropriate care for the student. By putting these other activities such as athletics, field trips, andafter-care programs on a 504 Plan, you can ensure that your child will get the proper care he or she needs with their diabetes, and the school will know what is needed of them.
