Minnesota is developing both technical assistance resources to support IEP teams in their ability to provide accessible instructional materials in a timely fashion, and in developing the infrastructure to obtain those materials efficiently.
Joan Breslin Larson
Supervisor, Special Education Policy
651-582-1599
joan [dot] breslin-larson
state [dot] mn [dot] us
Minnesota is an open territory state.
Minnesota coordinates with the NIMAC.
Definition: “timely manner” language has been interpreted by OSEP as “at the same time as other children receive instructional materials.” The regulation requires the Department to “ensure that all public agencies take all reasonable steps to provide instructional materials in accessible formats to children with disabilities who need those instructional materials at the same time as other children receive instructional materials.” 34 C.F.R. § 300.172(b)(4). OSEP’s commentary lists the following examples of reasonable steps:
Reasonable steps, for example, would include requiring publishers or other contractors to provide instructional materials in accessible formats by the beginning of the school year for children whom the public agency has reason to believe will be attending its schools. Reasonable steps also might include having a means of acquiring instructional materials in accessible formats as quickly as possible for children who might transfer into the public agency in the middle of the year or within 14 days of when the IEP is written. Reasonable steps would not include withholding instructional materials from other children until instructional materials in accessible formats are available."
Arc of Minnesota
http://www.arcmn.org/ [1]
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
http://www.braininjurymn.org/ [2]
Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota
http://www.ldaminnesota.org/ [3]
Minnesota Disability Law Center
http://www.mndlc.org/ [4]
The PACER Center
http://www.pacer.org/ [5]
Minnesota Department of Education
http://education.state.mn.us/ [6]
Links:
[1] http://www.arcmn.org/
[2] http://www.braininjurymn.org/
[3] http://www.ldaminnesota.org/
[4] http://www.mndlc.org/
[5] http://www.pacer.org/
[6] http://education.state.mn.us/