HB 1047

Abstract

Students who need or use augmentative and alternative communication; instruction; eligibility; staff training. Provides that no student who needs or uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which the bill defines as any device, tool, support, or service, or any combination thereof, that facilitates any form of communication, other than oral speech, that can be used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas, shall be denied the opportunity for inclusion in regular classrooms or the provision of age-appropriate instruction on the basis that such student may require support with AAC. The bill prohibits any individualized education program team, member of such team, or school division employee from utilizing the results of any intelligence quotient test or any other test to measure intelligence or cognitive ability to determine a student with a disability's eligibility to be provided with and use AAC at school. The bill requires each school division to document on the individualized education program of a student with a disability who needs or uses AAC, beginning prior to the provision of instruction or support to the student, including any extended school year period, the student's AAC and communication access and support needs, including, as appropriate, individualized training as an assistive technology service for each school division employee or contractor who provides instruction or direct support to such student, to support the student's use of AAC and to ensure that curricula and instruction are designed or adapted as necessary to accommodate the student's unique communication access needs.