Educational Rights

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Special Education Rights and Responsibilities Handbook Online: www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/504001specedindex.htm This is a very helpful Q&A format for learning how education laws apply to our children.

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Wrightslaw website: www.wrightslaw.com

An abundance of information about special education law and advocacy. The ‘Topic’ list on the left of the main page is a great place to start.An abundance of information about special education law and advocacy. The ‘Topic’ list on the left of the main page is a great place to start.

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Disabilities Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF):
www.dredf.org

DREDF is a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) funded by the US Department of Education. They are a great free resource if you need to speak to an education advocate about issues you face within your child’s school program. Use the topics on the left of their home page to navigate to Special Education.

DREDF also holds workshops on understanding the special education process:
www.dredf.org/programs/PTI.shtml

And DREDF has a wealth of parent training materials:
www.dredf.org/special_education/trainings.shtml

Educational Advocacy

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Disabilities Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Education Advocate: www.dredf.org/special_education/law_and_special_edu.shtml

On the above web page, call the 800 number listed to get your name on a wait list to speak to a DREDF education advocate. There is typically a wait of 3 days or so, but worth it if you need help. They also have a list of paid advocates and special education attorneys available if you need it.

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Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates www.copaa.org

COPAA is a non-profit national organization, where you can find a list by location of special education attorneys and advocates committed to protecting the rights of children with disabilities.

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The California Department of Education has a help line for questions about educational rights:

Procedural Safeguards and Referral Services provides technical assistance information and resources for parents, school districts, advocates, agencies and others of procedural safeguards regarding students between ages 3 and 21 with disabilities and their educational rights. •

Phone: 800-926-0648; TTY 916-323-9779; Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. •

E-Mail: speceducation@cde.ca.gov

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Disability Rights California:
www.disabilityrightsca.org/index.htm

This is a federally mandated state program which protects and advocates for the rights of Californians with disabilities. Here is a list of the services they provide free of charge: www.disabilityrightsca.org/connect/what.htm

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Community Alliance for Special Education  www.caseadvocacy.org

CASE provides attorney and non-attorney representation on a sliding fee basis, as well as free technical assistance consultation on your child's educational program. So all parents-no matter what their child's disability -have access to the resources and services they need. We can help you with: Assessment and Records Review, Classroom program and placement concerns, The Individual Education Program (IEP) process , Mediation with public school agencies, Due Process Hearings, Compliance Complaint Process. Here is a list of their services: www.caseadvocacy.org/services.html

Compliance Complaints and Due Process

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From the California Department of Education website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/

A tri-fold brochure providing an abbreviated summary of the complaint process under federal and state laws

Helpful Hints When Requesting Direct State Intervention Request for Complaint Investigation Form

for filing compliance complaint that alleges violation of state or federal special education laws.

Due Process Information from DREDF http://dredf.org/special_education/dueprocess.pdf

Best Practices

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Down Syndrome Education International, and USA.

A great resource for publications, educational tools and materials, and research-based methods and practices: www.downsedusa.org/en/us/

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Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas, manual of best practices www.dsact.com/DSACTEducation.html

Recommended Publications

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From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide, Pete and Pam Wright  www.amazon.com

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Special Education Law, Pete and Pam Wright  www.amazon.com

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The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child, Lawrence Siegel  /www.amazon.com

DSCBA Parent Resources

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Contact Jennifer Cooper, if you’d like to be connected with a DSCBA parent who may have knowledge and experience with a question or issue you have. Jennifer can be reached at tojennifercooper@gmail.com or 925.362.8660

Home School Options

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California Virtual Academy (CAVA), online free public school  www.k12.com/cava

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Home School Association of California  www.hsc.org/143.php