[Kids Together email newsletter] April 2006
- From: "Kids Together" <staff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ktnewsletter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 14:35:36 -0500
Kids Together Email Newsletter
"promoting inclusive communities where all people belong"
APRIL 2006 Newsletter
Please notify us to receive this newsletter in text only.
This list consists of over 3000 people (and growing!)
Suggestions for newsletter items are welcome!
All children with disabilities are to be educated to the
"maximum extent"
with children who do not have disabilities.
-Federal Law I.D.E.A. Sec. 612.5 (A)-
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability
Rights Section
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm
This guide provides an overview of Federal civil rights
laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. To find out
more about how these laws may apply to you, contact the agencies and
organizations listed in it. Includes contact information and resources for:
Americans with Disabilities Act; Telecommunications Act; Fair Housing Act; Air
Carrier Access Act; Voting Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Act;
National Voter Registration Act; Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act;
Rehabilitation Act; Architectural Barriers Act; General Sources of Disability
Rights Information; and Stature Citations. (html page)
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In Pennsylvania
Share your stories!!!
The state of PA is lacking feedback on issues regarding
implementing inclusive education.
With the recent Gaskin settlement, now is the time to share
your stories and be heard!
Your story needs to be heard if you experienced or were
told...
a.. general education (home school) was not discussed as
the first placement option for your child.
a.. forced to look at alternative placements, without
problem solving for general education class.
a.. child's needs could only be met in a special class,
could not bring services to general class.
a.. denied information and opportunities for exploring
supports and services to create inclusion.
a.. asked to explain how your child could be included.
a.. Not enough funds or resources? Lack of know how? Child
not on grade level? Behavior?
a.. placement in the regular class was considered "not"
possible based on your child's label.
a.. child was placed in the regular class without
appropriate supports and services. (set up to fail)
a.. filed a complaint and compliance issues were ignored
a.. won due process and IEP still not being implemented.
a.. Post your stories at
http://journals.aol.com/lstengle/GaskinClassMember - a public forum created by
Linda Stengle, member of the Gaskin panel, as an independent means for
gathering feedback. (post are limited size)
b.. Send it anonymously If you feel intimidated, email
your story staff@kidstogether,org and we will strip off identifying information
and forward it to members of Gaskin advisory panel.
c.. File a complaint with Pa Depart.of Ed. Special
Education ConsultLine 1-800-879-2301
If the state is not informed of negligence in implementing
the Gaskin settlement and LRE, it can not take corrective actions. It's up to
you to make a difference! By not speaking out it perpetuates the problem's for
your child, other children and future children. Let's get it all out there and
start the process of how to improve the system for all children!
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The Public School's
Special Education System as an Assistive Technology
Funding Source: The Cutting Edge
National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project Neighborhood
Legal Services, Inc. - Buffalo, N.Y.
National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems -
Washington, D.C.
http://www.nls.org/pdf/special-ed-booklet-03.pdf (Adobe
.pdf file 82 pages)
http://www.nls.org/specedat.htm (html)
The focus of this booklet is on the IDEA and section 504 as
funding sources or enforcement tools to ensure that children with disabilities
get needed AT. The intent is to provide the reader with a working knowledge of
the relevant laws, regulations and interpretations of them as they relate to a
school's obligation. Armed with this knowledge, attorneys and advocates who
specialize in special education law should be well - prepared to advocate for
AT. (2003)
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FACT SHEET
Assistive Technology and Special Education
http://www.protectionandadvocacy-sc.org/AT%20&%20Special%20Ed%20fact%20sheet%205-05.doc
(5 pages Microsoft Word .doc)
What is Assistive Technology? What does the law require?
Places that AT can appear in the IEP.
What if parents disagree? Can the student bring the device
home? (This fact sheet is prepared by the South Caroline Protection and
Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.)
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In Pennsylvania
Creating Schools for All Children
Free team training May 13th Kick-off Event
Sponsored by Temple University's Institute on Disabilities
There is no cost to attend the conference and it will
provide teachers and families with good solid information on promising
practices in teaching all children together in the classroom. This one day
session will also be the kickoff event to an exciting new Competence and
Confidence: Partners in Policymaking for Inclusive Education training session
that will begin in the Fall of 2006.
http://www.temple.edu/instituteondisabilities/
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The Effect of Assistive Technology on Educational Costs:
Two Case Studies
Amy Gips, Philip A. DiMattia, James Gips
http://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/eagleeyes/meta-elements/pdf/CostsMay04.pdf
(Adobe 9 pages)
Abstract. Until recently children with very profound
disabilities-children who cannot speak and can move only their eyes or
head-could be made comfortable, but by and large could not be educated.
Assistive technologies now enable them to communicate and to be educated
alongside their peer without disabilities. This is a wonderful development. But
what is the financial cost? This paper we looks in detail at the costs
associated with the education of two children who have used assistive
technologies developed at the university and compare them with the educational
costs had they not started using the assistive technologies. For these two
children the costs of the technologies and special teachers hired are offset by
savings from the tuition and transportation of sending them to special schools.
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IEP Training
Learning Abled Kids
http://www.learningabledkids.com/IEP_training/welcome.htm
A free on-line course designed to familiarize parents and
teachers with Individual Education Plans (IEP). What information is supposed to
be included in an IEP? What requirements exist for each section? How do you
write each section properly? IEP sections covered in this course are Present
Levels of Performance, Goals & Objectives, Supports & Services, Accommodations
& Modifications, Measures of Progress, and Placement. Each of these sections is
required and aims to provide specific information which will help teachers
provide the individual child with an appropriate education.
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The Parent Side (tm)
T-shirts, cards, magnets mugs, stickers & more!
It's a campaign for inclusion and against exclusion!
http://www.theparentside.com
Get your stuff in time for IEP season! Gifts for everyone,
children, adults, advocates, self-advocates, professionals and families. Give a
unique gift to the advocate who supported you or reward yourself and make a
statement! Tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, mousepads, buttons,
magnets, posters and more! Designs that speak! New bumpers stickers! New
designs!
Sale $10 off $50 Use code Spring10 at checkout. Good from
3/30/06 - 4/13/06
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.
Resources are listed for general information purposes only
Kids Together does not endorse products, services, or
provide any legal advice
Kids Together, Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)3
organization
We support the belief that children with disabilities, like
all children,
have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our
communities.
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