Special Services
We’re Here for You
Alabama Destinations Career Academy (ALDCA) offers robust special education services to support students and meet their needs, empowering them to thrive in school and beyond. With high-quality, personalized learning and the help of teachers and support staff, students with special needs can achieve their academic goals, find their confidence, and pave a path to success.
Identification of English Language Learners (ELL) Coordinator
Aileen Pierce
ELL Coordinator
apierce@alabamadca.org
110 Beauregard Street, Suite 303
Mobile, AL 36602
251.309.9400 Ext 5016
Request for Parent/Guardian Interpreter Services or Disability Accommodations
A live interpreter may be requested at any time. Please contact the school 251.309.9400.
Special Programs Manager
Emily Miranda
251.309.9400 ext 4005
emiranda@alabamadca.org
Annual Public Notice of Special Services & Programs
In accordance with federal and state regulations, ALDCA will provide an annual public notice to families informing them of ALDCA’s Child Find responsibilities which include procedures involved in the identification of educational disabilities and determination of students’ service and support needs.
Families are encouraged to review the following information that describes these regulations:
Request for Parent/Guardian Disability Accommodations
If any parent/guardian has a disability or other limitation that would impact their ability to participate fully in their child’s educational planning process, Alabama Virtual Academy would be happy to discuss accommodations that may be available in order to maximize the parent/guardian’s participation. Individuals seeking to discuss accommodations for this reason may contact the school at 251.309.9400.
Procedural Safeguards
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all educational agencies provide legal guardians of students with disabilities notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations. See ALDCA’s procedures here:
Homelessness and McKinney-Vento Act
This federal law ensures that the educational needs of homeless children and youth are met through immediate enrollment, comparable services, and supplemental services. All homeless children and youth must have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths. They must be afforded the opportunity to meet the same challenging state student academic achievement standards to which all students are held. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq. Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-1- .02(7)(c) through 290-3-1-.02(7)(i)(iv) McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Liaison/Foster Care Coordinator Candace Doak 110 Beauregard St # 303, Mobile, AL 36602 Ph 2520 309.9400 email: cdoak@alabamadca.org
Special Education Grievances or Dispute Resolution
The following resources provide information about dispute resolution procedures (including mediation), state complaint procedures, and due process complaint and due process hearing procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These resources are from the Alabama State Department of Education:
- Quick Guide [PDF]
- Communicating With Your Child’s School [PDF]
- CADRE Engaging Parents Brochure [PDF]
- Parents as Partners in Special Education [PDF]
Child Find
Notice to Parents and Individuals Required to Make Referrals
The Child Find requirement applies to all children ages birth through 21 who reside within a state, including children who attend public and private schools, highly mobile children, migrant children, homeless children and children who are wards of the state regardless of the severity of their disability. (34 CFR §300.111)
Notice of Child Find Activity: Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information.
Before any major Child Find activity, the LEA must give notice to parents of its procedures to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information used to meet special education requirements.
Child Find Coordinator
Jenny Hardy
251.309.9400 ext 4036
jehardy@alabamadca.org
504 Accommodation Plans
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is federal legislation that impacts schools and other entities that receive federal funding. The act is a civil rights statute designed to eliminate discrimination against individuals in schools and the workplace because of disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) incorporates all Section 504 provisions, and its protections are guaranteed regardless of federal funding. The regulations are very broadly written and intended to cover a wide range of public entities to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Section 504 and ADA prohibit the discrimination of students on the basis of a disability.
Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” If a school receives any federal financial assistance, all programs or activities of the school are covered by Section 504. Because the district receives federal financial assistance, it must comply with the requirements of Section 504.
504 Coordinator
Jenny Hardy
251.309.9400 ext 4036
jehardy@alabamadca.org
For more information on the following topics, see the Special Education and Services at ALDCA [PDF]
- Public notice of Special Services and Programs
- Notice to Parents & Individuals Required to Make Referrals
- Special Education Consent to Evaluate
- Special Education (IEP) or Service Agreements (504 Plans)
- Special Education Grievances or Disputes
- ispute Resolution Options