Federal legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, mandates that individuals with disabilities be integrated in all aspects of life from education to employment to independent living. A recent development involves a settlement reached between the United States and the…

The purpose of this policy analysis was to examine the responses of selected states to the special education monitoring requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) with particular attention paid to the years after this most recent reauthorization. This study examined the legislative and litigative history of…

This report discusses the outcomes of a survey that investigated data collection efforts of state special education dispute resolution contacts in all 50 states. Results indicate that all states maintain some level (directly or through contractual arrangements) of basic information on the number and location of formal complaints, mediations, and…

The report examines the impact of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) on handicapped children's rights to appropriate education in the state of Pennsylvania. An introductory section looks at such problems as the misclassification of children, disproportionate racial representation in the mildly handicapped population, and the…

This report, the second in a series of independent analyses by The National Council on Disability on federal enforcement of civil rights laws looks at more than two decades of federal monitoring and enforcement of compliance with Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Separate parts of the report address: (1) development…

A survey was conducted on the use of lay advocates to investigate state reaction to a recent court decision in Delaware on the use of lay advocates and the availability of representation for parents of students with disabilities in due process hearings. The Delaware Supreme Court found in 1999 that lay advocates representing parents at due process…

The report outlines areas of policy convergence between agencies providing services to adjudicated handicapped youth and suggests policy arrangements to encourage interagency agreements necessary to carry out P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Research is cited showing…

This booklet discusses the provision of assistive technology through state vocational rehabilitation programs to help individuals with disabilities in employment settings. It reviews vocational rehabilitation eligibility criteria, specific goods and services that can be provided, issues to keep in mind when using this system to obtain assistive…

The 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees equal protection and equal benefit of the law to all individuals without discrimination "and, in particular, without discrimination based on...mental or physical handicap." This report identifies and clarifies policy-making questions and issues that are arising as educators…

States use many high-stakes assessments to make decisions about individuals. These tests may be criticized by those who believe that their purpose or application is discriminatory. Because litigation is time consuming and costly, it is advantageous for states to plan assessments carefully to maximize legal defensibility. This handbook is designed…

This manual covers laws and regulations, responsibilities, policies, equipment, communication, and guidelines for transporting Iowa public school students with specific disabilities. The first section summarizes requirements of federal and state law, followed by a section on responsibilities of such entities as the Department of Education, the…

The state plan for the education of children with handicapping conditions required by P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, specifies goals, priorities, and programs of New York State. Following submission statements and certifications, a section on the purpose of the plan lists learning goals for all children in the state…