Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. (1999)
Primary Disability in Court Case: Orthopedic Impairment
The Case
Garret F., a student in the Cedar Rapids School District, suffered a spinal injury and needed services for his orthopedic impairment, including a ventilator and nursing support services on a one-on-one basis during the school day. Garret’s family requested that the school fund the nursing expense during the school day and won. The Supreme Court ruled that schools must provide extensive health services when necessary for students to access education, despite the cost (Katsiyannis & Yell, 2000).
IDEA/ESSA Impact
This decision expanded the definition of related services and reinforced the school’s responsibility to provide health-related supports necessary for students to attend school (Katsiyannis & Yell, 2000). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act enables students with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE), meaning that if a student requires one-on-one health services to receive a FAPE, it directly aligns with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), including students with orthopedic impairments.
More Information:
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/relsvcs.garretf.htm
Reference
Katsiyannis, A., & Yell, M. L. (2000). The Supreme Court and school health services: Cedar Rapids v. Garret F. Exceptional Children, 66(3), 317.