Special Education for Parents
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.
Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, Findings, 42 U.S.C. § 1400(c)
Every student in the United States is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education, and is entitled to participate in educational programs without barriers or discrimination. Unfortunately, the special education process can be complicated and opaque. We have developed this website to help parents understand the legal processes and some of the language and concepts that frequently arise when advocating for a student's education. This information is meant as a starting point and is not intended to be a replacement for legal advice or representation.
Public Schools and Charter Schools
Every child in the United States is entitled to a free and appropriate public education under federal and state law. As a result, public schools, charter schools, and some private schools have specific obligations to equitably educate all students, regardless of their disability status.
Private Schools
Students enrolled in private schools due to family preference are provided with the education their private school chooses to provide, however, that does not mean the private school has no obligation to meet your student's needs. Private schools have different obligations regarding accommodation of students with disabilities than publicly funded programs. Students with disabilities can and do enroll in private schools, and they do not leave their rights at the privately-funded school door. Some private schools, in fact, have obligations to provide special education under the same federal laws as public schools.
There are a variety of laws that control how schools meet the needs of their students with disabilities equitably and without discriminatory effect. Click here for a discussion of the laws and legal terms that you may encounter as you and your child navigate the special education system.
Students can be eligible for special education as the result of a wide variety of disabilities. Some that are visible and well-known, but others are invisible and less well-understood. Click here for commonly and not-so-commonly encountered disabilities in the classroom and a discussion of how they are addressed by special education law.
When a child enters the school system or is newly diagnosed with a disability, the special education infrastructure can be opaque and intimidating. It is important for parents to be empowered by learning about the network of supports available for students with disabilities, and who the various decision-makers are. Click here for a summary of the structure of special education in a public school system and how responsibilities are typically divided.
Identification of students' disabilities and the creation of a plan to meet their needs are determined through a formal process defined by state and local law. Click here to learn more about how that process happens.
There are teaching strategies (sometimes called pedagogies) that integrate inclusive teaching techniques in a general education classroom that meet the individualized needs of students with disabilities. Implementation of these strategies can mitigate the need for some accommodations or individualized instruction. Click here for resources related to common inclusive teaching strategies, including UDL strategies and inclusive practices.
It can be overwhelming to navigate the education of a student with disabilities. Parents and students naturally have a lot of questions and it can be challenging to independently find the answers. Click here for a list of commonly asked questions and answers.