This article discusses practical strategies to assist parents in becoming a more inclusive part of the Individualized Education Program process. Characteristics of effective teams are provided, and strategies are listed for providing social support, increasing distinctiveness, ensuring fairness, providing a sense of similarity, and for enhancing…

This manual is designed to help advocates, including parents, obtain special education for children with disabilities residing in New Jersey. It explains the requirements of the federal statute governing special education--the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)--and the federal regulations implementing IDEA, as well as the state…

This guidebook is intended to assist parents of children with disabilities who will be returning to the state of Maryland because of Senate Bill 588, which strongly discourages out-of-state placements of individuals with disabilities or other special needs. The first section is on "getting ready" and provides a summary of Senate Bill…

This technical assistance paper aims to facilitate the team process for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for students with disabilities. The guidelines provide suggestions for meeting legal requirements related to IEP development and offer recommendations designed to be responsive to parents, useful for educators and students,…

This booklet is intended to help parents and students better understand the nature of learning disabilities at the college level and to help faculty and staff involved with learning-disabled students in higher education programs. The personal story of a female college student with a learning disability appears on the left-hand side of each…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities in Florida is intended to answer common questions about the exceptional student education program. The first chapter provides an overview of exceptional student education including laws about the education of children with disabilities, parents' records, planning a child's education, continuing…

With so many complex, challenging, and emotionally charged decisions involved, participating in an IEP meeting can seem like navigating through a minefield. But now there is a practical guide to managing these meetings with a high level of awareness, safety, and confidence. Developed for administrators, teachers, resource professionals, and…

This booklet presents basic information on the transition from early intervention or preschool to school for parents of young children with disabilities living in Ohio. Through extensive graphics and large print, the booklet provides information on the following topics: what transition is; who is involved in transition; requirements for parental…

A review of learning disabilities in gifted children provides definitions of "learning disabilities" and "giftedness", a classification of gifted students with learning disabilities, the importance of a multidimensional approach to identifying students with gifts/learning disabilities, characteristics, programming guidelines, teaching strategies,…

Children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Children differ in mental abilities, sensory development, physical traits, emotional or social behaviors, or communication skills. Some may require modification to their school program or special education and related services in order to benefit from their…

The digest explores the rights as well as the responsibilities of parents of handicapped children in the special education process. Rights include a free appropriate public education, notification regarding evaluation or change in placement, informed consent, independent evaluation, review of all records, participation in the Individualized…

Presented in question answer format, the paper answers concerns about driver education and handicapped students in North Carolina. The following questions are addressed: What is the procedure for enrolling handicapped students in driver education? How are parents involved in making decisions about driver education for their handicapped child? What…

Adolescence is a time for dreaming--for youth to imagine and set a course for the future. High school students naturally spend time imagining the future--if and where to continue their education, to find a job or pursue a career, to move away from home, or to start a family. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a process…

This brief report applies research on self-determination to suggestions for helping students with disabilities make a successful transition from school to adult life. First, it defines the concept of self-determination and considers how self-determination is learned. It summarizes research supporting the view that self-determination in high school…

This book for parents of children with disabilities is a guide to parent advocacy and the special education system. The five sections focus on: (1) getting started in advocacy; (2) "Advocacy 101"; (3) the parent as expert; (4) special education law; and (5) tactics and strategies. Individual chapters address the following topics:…