Self-help information through various links, documents, publications, etc. Check the Community Directory Channel for more resources.
There are 47 resources
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Family
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
(Separate Website)
FERPA gives parents the right to ALL educational records of their child—not just the special education file. The statute specifies that parents have access to all “personally identifiable information” of the student. "Educational record" is defined as records that are directly related to a student, and maintained by an educational agency or institution.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Filing a 504 Education Complaint
(Separate Website)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal for any agency or organization receiving federal funds to discriminate in any way against qualified people with disabilities. Under this law, school districts must make sure that children with disabilities are not excluded from educational services and provide accommodations to children who need them to benefit from those services.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Filing a Complaint with the South Carolina Department of Education
(Separate Website)
Under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), parents have three options available to them for resolving disagreements about the education of their children: (1) the impartial due process hearing system; (2) the less formal mediation process; or (3) the complaint system operated by the State Department of Education (SDE).
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Mediation-An Alternative to Due Process
(Separate Website)
When a parent and school district disagree in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting, many people immediately consider going to a due process hearing. However, mediation is another way of dealing with a disagreement between the school district and the parent. Parents may want to try this less formal method before asking for a due process hearing.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
No Child Left Behind
(Separate Website)
No Child Left Behind is designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options, and teaching students based on what works.
Under the act's accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve academic proficiency. They must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform parents and communities about state and school progress. Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance; take corrective actions; and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.
Now...And The Future
(Separate Website)
Resource Planning Guide for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families
By: SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Practical Guide to Services
(Separate Website)
Detailed information about programs and services available for people with disabilities. The guide also lists family support organizations, advocacy groups and other agencies which provide services to people with disabilities.
By: SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Special Education - Prior Written Notice
(Separate Website)
One easy and effective strategy available to parents who disagree with a school about special education for their child is to request that the school (or school district) notify the parents in writing of all proposed changes in, or refusals to change, their child?s special educational program. IDEA regulations (34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.503) require a school to give parents written notice a reasonable time before it acts regarding their child?s identification, evaluation or educational placement. Though required, prior written notice is rarely given unless parents request it.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Protections for Students not yet Classified as IDEA
(Separate Website)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides several protections for students with disabilities. Some of these protections extend to students not yet identified as IDEA eligible when they are suspended or expelled from school. These safeguards apply only IF the school district had knowledge that the student had a disability before the behavior that led to disciplinary action.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Related Services-A Very Important Part of Special Education
(Separate Website)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires Related Services to be given to a student with a disability who needs them in order to benefit from the education being offered.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Sample Section 504 Plan and Health Care Plan for a Child with Diabetes
(Separate Website)
This web site contains a sample Section 504 Plan and Health Care Plan detailing typical medical and academic needs of a child with diabetes at school. The Plan outlines the responsibilities of the student, parents/guardians, and the school. The Health Care Plan sets out the student's specific medical needs as determined by his/her health care team. Ideally, these documents are developed as a result of a cooperative effort involving the family, the child's health care team, and the school/school district.
By: Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III
(Separate Website)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) secures equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. Title III of the ADA applies to public accommodations, which are private entities that are open to the public.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Assistive Technology and Special Education
(Separate Website)
Assistive Technology Device: An assistive technology (AT) device is any item used to maintain or improve the educational capabilities of a student with a disability. Assistive Technology Service: An assistive technology (AT) service is any service that assists in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. This includes evaluations, modifications, maintenance and repair of assistive technology devices, as well as training for the student, family and school personnel in the use of such devices.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Civil Rights about Education
(Separate Website)
This site provides answers to frequently asked questions about civil rights and education.
By: U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights about Education
(Separate Website)
This site provides answers to frequently asked questions about civil rights and education.
By: U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights-Related Information for People with Disabilities
(Separate Website)
Find civil rights-related information from the Federal government for people with disabilities from this section of the DisabilityInfo.gov web site, including information about: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Other Disability Rights Laws, Community Access, Community Rights and Responsibilities, Educational Rights, Employment Rights and Responsibilities, Health Rights, Housing Rights, Technology Rights, and Transportation Rights.
By: First Gov - Your First Click is the U.S. Government
Disabilities Rights
(Separate Website)
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. The evidence of its success is everywhere. Handicap parking spaces, Braille instructions on ATM's, and ramps built into sidewalks have all become commonplace fixtures that make an enormous difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.
By: American Civil Liberties Union
DisabilityInfo.gov, the comprehensive Federal website of disability-related government resources
(Separate Website)
This web site provides a comprehensive list of the federal government's online information for people with disabilities. From the DisabilityInfo.gov home page you may select the category of information or services you're interested in from tabs at the top of the page. From the DisabilityInfo.gov home page you can also use the search function to look for any information by typing in related words.
By: First Gov - Your First Click is the U.S. Government
Education Evaluation
(Separate Website)
Children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education under both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
By: Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Education Rights and the Law
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions concerning attendance, enrollment and home schooling, high school exit exam, and fees. PDF document (may load slowly).
By: South Carolina Bar Association
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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