Disability Etiquette
"People with disabilities are individuals. Every person with a disability is unique, with likes and dislikes, problems and joys. Remember that disability does not define the person."
Mission & Vision
Inclusive schooling also includes highly effective instruction, including evidence-based practices, universal design for learning, and differentiation, as well as preventive models such as response to intervention and the individualized approaches of specially designed instruction and instructional and assistive technology.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
In the law, Congress states:
Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.
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Stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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First Authorized in 1975 as the All Handicapped Children Act and reauthorized in 2004 to IDEA
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These services are provided at no cost to the students. This law requires schools to serve the educational needs of students with disabilities. Designed to provide an appropriate education (special and general, as required) and includes a student present's levels of educational performance, annual goals and benchmarking objectives, progression, transition and more.
Six Pillars of IDEA
focus on students' rights and the responsibilities of public schools to children with disabilities.
Zero Reject
Schools must educate all children. This principle applies regardless of the nature or severity of the disability or disorder.
Nondiscriminatory / Appropriate Evaluation
All evaluations are to be unbiased, administered in the language or mode of communication of the student, used in determining the eligibility for special education services, completed in a timely manner.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
All students with disabilities will be served. All programming is at no cost to parents and must provide meaningful educational benefit.
Parent and Family Rights to Confidentiality
All students' private information, including medical records and special education services is kept confidential. Parents have the right to obtain all records.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
A child's placement and setting of services and service delivery are provided in the Least Restrictive Environment and is dependent on the child's individual needs.
Procedural Safeguards
Parents understanding their rights and responsibilities and the mechanisms by which they may review progress, be involved and mediate disputes.
If a disagreement exists, parents have the right to request mediation, due process, and may appeal due process decisions with state or federal courts.