IEP Transportation Woes
My son has autism and albinism and has significant visual impairment from his albinism. At his IEP meeting last year I was offered transportation and I declined to use it in the morning but asked that he still receive it in the afternoon. Unbeknownst to me, the IEP was marked that he will be ineligible for special transportation next year (now). I signed it because I didn't get any pushback in the meeting when talking about him needing the afternoon rides.
Now the principal is stating he doesn't meet the disability requirements for special transportation because I live within a 1.5 mi radius of the school and he doesn't have like a wheelchair. The IDEA/FAPE verbiage is too vague to really lean on heavily and say he should get it. I know it's not safe for him to walk home from school on his own due to his vision issues but I don't think that's the threshold I can argue with. Additionally I am needing an alternate drop off location (ABA) after school.
I don't know what to do, should I try to get another IEP meeting with last years staff (from early childhood) to see if we can get it added? I am worried they will get strongarmed by the school district but I really don't want to just walk away in defeat. Do I ask for a PWN asking for exactly why he doesn't qualify?
I know the school district already busses other kids (not from my son's school) to this ABA even though they tried telling me they don't do that so even if they give somehow give in to the bus i still have another hurdle to get them to drop him off at ABA which is in the same city at least but not within normal school bus routes.