Technical jargon can get in the way of understanding your child's rights

The law says that your school system is obligated to provide a student with disabilities with a FAPE – a free appropriate public education. Do you know what that MEANS? Technical jargon can get in the way of understanding your child's rights.

In order to comply with the federal mandate (Public Law 102-119, known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (34 CFR Parts 300 and 301 and Appendix C) that all disabled children receive a free appropriate public education, a school district must provide special education and related services at no cost to the child or her/his parents. There are thousands of resource links available on the Internet and I wanted to give you a few that have been recommended by other parents.

What is the Individualized Education Program (IEP)?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes the educational program that has been designed to meet that child's unique needs.

Each child who receives special education and related services must have an IEP. Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when age appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.

NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities) has created a Parent Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) so you can become an informed and effective partner with school personnel in supporting your child's special learning and behavioral needs.

Note: The IDEA Parent Guide was created to provide a basic understanding of the key requirements of the federal law under IDEA. The information presented here is not legal advice and should not be used as a legal resource.

Both IDEA and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) include provisions that can be used to improve the academic achievement of students with learning disabilities. NCLD also has a guide explaining how you can become an effective advocate within your state, or at the national level. To learn how to lend your voice to advocacy efforts, take a look at NCLD's LD Advocate's Guide. The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 award given to a high school senior with an identified learning disability (LD) who is pursuing an undergraduate degree. The ideal candidate is a high school senior who has faced the challenges of having a learning disability; is committed to completing a college degree and setting career goals; has demonstrated perseverance; embraces new opportunities; has a well-rounded perspective shaped by experiences in school, in the community, and with family and friends; understands how LD affects his/her life and recognizes the importance of self-advocacy; believes in contributing to society in a way that increases the opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities; and will feel comfortable serving as a role model for others who struggle with LD. Information and Application 2008-2009 Anne Ford Scholarship DisabilityInfo.gov is an online connection to a broad range of disability-related information and resources.

The Web site contains links to resources of interest to people with disabilities, educators, administrators, service providers and family members.

The site is easy to navigate, and is organized by subject areas including education, employment, housing, transportation, health, income support, technology, community life and civil rights.

DisabilityInfo.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor and is a collaborative effort among 16 federal agencies including the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Health & Human Services, Housing & Urban Development, Justice, Interior, Labor, Transportation and Treasury; as well as the Office of Personnel Management, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Access Board and the National Council on Disability. The site also contains information from universities, research institutes and non-profit organizations. Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys go to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

We know that not everyone can afford a Child Advocate or Educational Consultant. Therefore we hope to give you some information that may be beneficial for you as you advocate for your child.

Dore E. Frances, M.A.
Founder, Horizon Family Solutions
Child Advocate
Educational Consultant