Your child has a right to meaningful access to education. When disability-related barriers interfere with their learning or participation, the school must investigate those barriers, consult with you, and provide reasonable accommodations.
An accommodation changes how your child accesses learning or participates—for example, through accessible materials, communication support, help with transitions, or a different way to demonstrate learning. Treating every student the same does not necessarily give every student equal access.
The duty is to accommodate to the point of undue hardship. This does not guarantee every requested service or your preferred approach, but it requires the school to explore solutions and justify any limits. Your child’s right to accommodation exists even without an IEP or funding designation.
Start with the barrier: what is your child having difficulty accessing, and what could help? You do not need to have every answer before asking the school to respond.
Read Understanding the duty to accommodate for more about the school’s responsibilities and how to advocate for support.
