Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings; and instruction in physical education.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IDEA Website
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including federal funds. Section 504 provides that: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his 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 . . .”
Source: U.S. Department of Education FAPE Website
Existing law requires each person subject to compulsory education to attend a full-time school or continuation school. The Home and Hospital Instruction Program (California Education Code Section 48206.3 External link opens in new window or tab. ) serves students who incur a temporary disability, which makes attendance in the regular day classes or alternative education program impossible or inadvisable. The district in which the home or residential health facility is located is responsible for instructing and educating pupils who must be hospitalized or remain at home due to a temporary but extended illness or disability. There is no provision in the statute that specifically addresses instructional content; however, the goal of home or hospital instruction should be maintenance of the pupil's former level of performance while recovering.
