ELIGIBILITY. The National PTA Accessible Arts Division is an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504. The division welcomes students of all ages and offers division-specific accommodations to ensure that every student has the chance to participate fully in the program.

Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law?  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who: (1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person; (2) Has a record of such an impairment; or (3) Is regarded as having such impairment.

HOW TO ENTER. Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the National PTA Reflections® Program. All students may enter in only one division. Student Entry Form requires parent/legal guardian signatures.

Option 1. Enter in Grade-Level Divisions: Students with disabilities that do not wish to enter the Accessible Arts Division may compete and be awarded in their relevant grade-level division (based on school grade). Students may receive only non-artistic accommodations. 

Option 2. Enter in Accessible Arts Division: Eligible students entering the division create their own artwork but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. Students are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the Accessible Arts Division.

ACCOMODATIONS. Any accommodation should be both specific and limited to the student’s disability and should not impact the artistic process. The following provides a non-exhaustive list of allowable accommodations:

• Allowed Non-Artistic Accommodations

  • • Use of adaptive technology or assistive devices is allowed.

    • While the artist directs the process, assistants (a parent, teacher, other adult) may help with executing the artist's vision with typing, transcribing, etc.

• Allowed Division-Specific Accommodations

  • • Use the “Additional Details” field to provide details about how the student’s disability and/or support needs impacted their entry (10 to 100 words, optional).

    • As necessary, students may select the grade-level division most closely aligned to their support needs. Contact local PTA and/or state PTA for additional details.

Assistants to student artists may not, in any way, involve themselves in the actual artistic process or act without direction from the artist. The following provides a non-exhaustive list of accommodations that are not allowed:

• Personally selecting a title for artwork and/or writing, editing or interpreting a student’s artist statement.

• Drafting/editing language for literature or film; creating/editing footage or music.

• Composing music, writing lyrics, combining sounds; choreographing dance moves.

• Creating/editing visual arts; selecting subjects, edits and camera angles for photos.

All participants must also follow the official rules for participation.