AT is Where it’s At: Obtaining Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

  Sometimes things worked out like they were supposed to and Sara was pleased. She had expected to have a fight on her hands as she went into Gracie’s individualized educational program (IEP) meeting. Gracie was six and because of multiple disabilities she wasn’t able to talk. But just because Gracie didn’t talk didn’t mean [...]

Working it: Vocational Rehabilitation Services for People with Disabilities

  In my previous post I briefly discussed vocational rehabilitation services for post secondary students with disabilities. In this post I’ll address what rehabilitation services are, who is eligible for them, and how to get them.  
 People with disabilities, advocates, and family members are generally familiar with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which [...]

Supporting Students with Disabilities After High School: Providing Academic Adjustments and Auxiliary Aids and Services in Postsecondary Schools

  While in preschool, elementary and high school children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  and Section 504. The public schools have an affirmative obligation during those school years to assess and identify children with disabilities and develop a plan to meet their [...]

Supreme Court Denies Cert in “Frank G. v. Board of Education of Hyde Park” Tuition Reimbursement Case

  As discussed in my previous post, last week the Supreme Court affirmed the Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Board of Education of the City of New York v Tom F. and Gilbert F. . In Tom F. and Gilbert F. the Second Circuit Court of Appeals had reversed a district court decision denying [...]

Supreme Court Affirms Tuition Reimbursement for Private School Placement

  The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Board of Education of the City of New York v. Tom F. and Gilbert F.  This case involves a family that  placed  their son Gilbert, who has a learning disability, in a private school program because the school had [...]

Getting the Most Out of the Least Restrictive Environment

  Brenda tossed her parent folder on to the kitchen table and then slid into the sofa, pleased but exhausted. She had just returned from “Back to School Night” at her sons’ middle school. This was the first year that Jeremy, her 11 year old, was attending his neighborhood school. Jeremy had autism and had [...]

Discipline and Disability: Determining When a Child’s Misbehavior in School is Related to Their Disability

  As a parent, Maria had a long rope but she was quickly nearing the end of it. The principal had just called and asked her to come to school and pick up her son, Jeremy, because the teacher said he was “out of control.” Jeremy hadn’t finished his work during class time and when [...]