SPECIAL ARTIST DIVISION
Student Eligibility. The National PTA Special Artist Division is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in
the program. The Special Artist Division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections® program.
The other necessary requirements are as follows:
- Students must attend a school with a Local PTA/PTSA
- Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;
(2) Has a record of such an impairment; or (3) Is regarded as having such impairment.
Student Entry Process: Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the program:
Option 1: Enter in Traditional Grade Divisions: Regardless of age, students with special needs may enter in the
grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. Students may not receive assistance other than that
which is allowed for all children. The divisions are as follows: Primary (preschool – grade 2); Intermediate (grades 3‐5); Middle School (grades 6‐8); High School (grades 9‐12). Students are recognized and awarded as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.
Option 2: Enter in Special Artist Division: Qualifying students entering the Special Artist Division create their own artwork, but may receive non‐artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. Parent/legal guardian signature
is required. Students are recognized and awarded as part of the Special Artist Division.
Special Artist Accommodations and Guidelines. Special artists should follow the general rules and guidelines outlined in the arts category student rules specific to their submissions, modified only by accommodations for individuals with
disabilities. The accommodation, in general, should be both specific and limited to the student’s disability.
Allowable Accommodations: Given the diverse range of physical and mental disabilities that exist, it would be impossible to outline specific accommodations for each and every disability, but the following provides a non‐exhaustive list of allowable accommodations:
- Use of adaptive technology is allowed.
- All submissions must be solely created by the special artist. However, a parent, teacher or other adult may assist the special artist with typing, holding a camera, etc.
Accommodations that are Not Allowed: Individuals providing assistance to special artists may not, in any way, involve themselves in the actual artistic process by:
- Personally selecting a title for artwork.
- Writing, editing or interpreting a student’s artist statement, story, poetry or script.
- Choreographing a dance, composing music or writing lyrics.
- Drawing, painting or personally creating a visual arts submission, choosing a camera angle, etc.
the program. The Special Artist Division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections® program.
The other necessary requirements are as follows:
- Students must attend a school with a Local PTA/PTSA
- Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;
(2) Has a record of such an impairment; or (3) Is regarded as having such impairment.
Student Entry Process: Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the program:
Option 1: Enter in Traditional Grade Divisions: Regardless of age, students with special needs may enter in the
grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. Students may not receive assistance other than that
which is allowed for all children. The divisions are as follows: Primary (preschool – grade 2); Intermediate (grades 3‐5); Middle School (grades 6‐8); High School (grades 9‐12). Students are recognized and awarded as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.
Option 2: Enter in Special Artist Division: Qualifying students entering the Special Artist Division create their own artwork, but may receive non‐artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. Parent/legal guardian signature
is required. Students are recognized and awarded as part of the Special Artist Division.
Special Artist Accommodations and Guidelines. Special artists should follow the general rules and guidelines outlined in the arts category student rules specific to their submissions, modified only by accommodations for individuals with
disabilities. The accommodation, in general, should be both specific and limited to the student’s disability.
Allowable Accommodations: Given the diverse range of physical and mental disabilities that exist, it would be impossible to outline specific accommodations for each and every disability, but the following provides a non‐exhaustive list of allowable accommodations:
- Use of adaptive technology is allowed.
- All submissions must be solely created by the special artist. However, a parent, teacher or other adult may assist the special artist with typing, holding a camera, etc.
Accommodations that are Not Allowed: Individuals providing assistance to special artists may not, in any way, involve themselves in the actual artistic process by:
- Personally selecting a title for artwork.
- Writing, editing or interpreting a student’s artist statement, story, poetry or script.
- Choreographing a dance, composing music or writing lyrics.
- Drawing, painting or personally creating a visual arts submission, choosing a camera angle, etc.