Section 2.1: School Related Operations

Approved: November 2, 2004

Revised: June 16, 2020

SPECIAL EDUCATION – SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

1.0             Rationale

The Special Equipment Amount (SEA) provides funding to school boards to assist with the costs of equipment essential to support students with special education needs. This equipment is to provide students with accommodations that are directly required and essential to one or more of the following: accessing the Ontario curriculum accessing a board-determined alternative program and/or course, and/or attending school.

There are two components to SEA funding:

2.0             Definitions

SEA Per Pupil Amount: The SEA Per Pupil Amount is for purchases of all computers, software, robotics, computing related devices, including routers, and required supporting furniture identified for use by students with special education needs.

In addition, the SEA PPA helps school boards in providing training for staff and students (where applicable), equipment set-up, maintenance, and repair as determined by the board for all SEA equipment, including SEA equipment funded through the SEA claims-based process.  Technician and training costs are not submitted through the SEA claims process.

SEA Claims-Based Funding: SEA Claims-Based funding is for other non-computer based equipment to be utilized by students with special education needs including sensory support, hearing support, vision support (including vision support equipment that has a computer interface and is required by a student when the primary function of the equipment is to address the vision support needs of the student), personal care support equipment and physical assists support equipment which will cover the cost of an individual student’s equipment needs in excess of $800 in cost for any student per year.

3.0             Policy

District School Board Ontario North East will provide direction and support for Board employees applying for and managing special education funding equipment and services.