English Learner Students with Disabilities (ELSWD)

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: English Learners with Disabilities 

A student who qualifies as an English learner (EL) and has an identified disability is entitled to the services needed both as an EL and under the guidelines of his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Neither set of services should be seen as holding greater weight than the other. 

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: English Learners with Suspected Disabilities 

"Schools and districts are required by law to follow all referral and evaluation timelines for students with suspected disabilities, regardless of English learner status or grade level."

Fairfield City Schools Special Education Hub

Receiving Services

It is important to remember that many parents, including multilingual parents, may not be familiar with many of the terms used in the world of education and more specifically in the world of Special Education. When discussing the needs, suspected or identified, of their student it is important to explain terms that are being used. Parents of students who have suspected or identified disabilities have the right to communication from the school in a language they can understand (both orally and in writing). Please see the Interpretation/Translation Portion of the EL Hub for more information.

The IEP Team

When a student who is identified as an English learner (EL) is suspected of having a disability the EL teacher should be included in the referral discussion. If the student is evaluated and a disability is identified the EL teacher should continue to be a part of the student's IEP team.