4217 - Effective Communication

In compliance with federal and state law, all district sponsored programs, activities, meetings, and services will be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including persons with hearing, vision, and/or speech disabilities. When communicating in this context with students, families, applicants, participants, members of the public, and their companions with disabilities, the district will take appropriate steps to ensure that any communications are as effective as communications with persons who have no disabilities. Such steps will include furnishing in a timely manner appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs, activities, meetings, or services conducted or sponsored by the district. The information contained within the district’s website is a service that will be accessible to all individuals with disabilities.

When an IDEA-eligible or a Section 504-eligible student’s disability impacts their hearing, vision or speech, the school will apply both a FAPE (free and appropriate public education) analysis and the effective communication requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II) in determining how to meet the student’s communication needs and how to formulate the student’s individual education program (IEP).   

For families, applicants, participants, members of the public, and their companions, the district’s website will provide information on how to request auxiliary aids and services, ask related questions, or raise concerns. When necessary and upon request, such information will also be provided in an accessible format for the requestor at no cost. When determining an appropriate auxiliary aid or service, the district or school will give primary consideration to the auxiliary aid or service specifically requested by the person with a disability.   

For purposes of this policy, “auxiliary aids and services” include a wide range of services, devices, technologies, and methods for providing effective communication as outlined in the procedure for this policy.

The superintendent is granted the authority to develop procedures in order to implement this policy. 
 

Cross References:

District Policy 2161 - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

District Policy 2162 - Education of Students With Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

District Policy 3210 - Nondiscrimination

District Policy 4218 – Language Access

 

Legal References: 

Chapter 28A.642 RCW	Discrimination prohibition
Chapter 49.60 RCW	Discrimination — Human rights commission
WAC 392-400-215	Student rights
42 U.S.C. 12131-12134 - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (Title II)
28 C.F.R. part 35 - Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services
29 U.S.C. 794 - Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
34 C.F.R. part 104 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
20 U.S.C. 1400-1419 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B
34 C.F.R part 300 - Assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities

 

Management Resources:

2016 - March Issue

 

Adoption Date: October 5, 2016

Revised: February 21, 2024

 

Administrator Responsibilities: