What should I do if I need IEP documents and meetings translated in a different language?

Ideally, when you sign an assessment plan, write on it that you need all the reports in your native language prior to the IEP meeting so that you're prepared to participate. Go to the meeting and say that you have not received the reports, so you want to reschedule for when you have the reports. Don’t sign the attendance sheet for that IEP meeting because you're unable to participate without it being translated; you can't agree or disagree because you're not clear on everything without translation.

If you request it, the school must provide a translator for the IEP meeting, even if you may not need a translator for everything. For example, if you clearly understand everything that's being said by the teacher, you can let the translator know, but maybe the occupational therapist uses words that don't translate well and you get lost, so you need the translator’s help. Don't feel like it's all or nothing.

Note that the rules around translators aren’t very clear, so you may have to push to get a better translator who understands all the words used in IEP meetings. One suggestion is to ask the school to make a list of common IEP meeting words and give it to the translator in advance to go research.

This is a right that you have as a parent, so don't feel bad for pushing for it. It's super important for you and your child. If you don't understand some of what's being said or proposed in the IEP, then you can't give informed consent.