Step 1. Discuss the care your child needs at school with your child’s physician and nurse educator. They have experience with issues related to care at school and can offer insight and effective strategies for guiding your child through the school day.

Step 2. Draft a Diabetes Care Plan that includes detailed instructions for checking your child’s blood glucose level, how to respond when it is too high or too low, how much insulin to administer for lunch and snacks, what procedure should be followed in the case of an emergency, and other information specific to your child’s care needs.

A Diabetes Care Plan serves as the basis of your child’s Section 504 plan. Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities including diabetes. Compliance is not optional. Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensures that the child with a disability such as diabetes has equal access to an education and receives needed accommodations and modifications.

If your child has another disability that adversely affects educational performance, your child may be eligible for special education services under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Step 3. Schedule an appointment with the school administrator responsible for managing and implementing Section 504 plans. Review your child’s Diabetes Care Plan and discuss how to implement the plan. Add any additional procedural and implementation notes to the Diabetes Care Plan to complete your child’s Section 504 plan.

Remember. There are many different ways to implement your child’s Section 504 plan. Stay flexible. Be open to alternatives as you build a collaborative partnership with your child’s school. For example, if your child’s Diabetes Care Plan states that your child must be free to use the water fountain whenever needed and the school suggests instead that your child carry a water bottle, go with the flow. Amend the plan and buy a several easy-to-fill / easy-to-carry water bottles. Your child will have needed water and your child won't miss valuable class time.