Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus City Schools to support their operations in providing additional services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the ongoing pandemic, Columbus City Schools continues its teaching and learning in the remote setting. There are 197 Columbus City Schools classrooms with students that have complex needs. Usually, students in this environment spend 60% or more of their academic day in these classrooms.
Columbus City Council earlier this year provided more than $7 million in CARES funding to Columbus City Schools to help purchase Chromebooks so that every student had a device for remote learning for the start of the new school year. However, Chromebooks do not support the learning needs of many complex needs students.
There is a need for 233 iPads with impact resistant cases for use by students with complex needs to use as part of instruction and to facilitate their participation, and to be used also by intervention specialists to support the students. The iPad Pros with cases are needed to be issued directly to students with complex needs that might benefit from the touchscreen device.
The iPad Pros can support students with disabilities in the following ways:
o Communication needs by uploading choice boards, speech generating programs (for students with complex communication abilities)
o Screen readers for students with visual impairments
o The use of built-in applications like Dark Mode and Display Accommodations, as well as Magnifier and Font Adjustments.
o The use of visual schedules and timers to assist individuals, small groups, or the whole class with transitions and calendars
o Social skills can also be targeted with iPads by creating class videos, the use of targeted applications, and more
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is req...
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