Special education web resources
Wrightslaw
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. You will find articles, cases, newsletters, and special education resources about dozens of topics in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries. Wrightslaw is ranked #1 in education law, special education law and special education advocacy.
Section 504
Section 504 is a civil rights law. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications. Unlike IDEA, Section 504 does not require the school to provide an individualized educational program (IEP) that is designed to meet the child's unique needs and provides the child with educational benefit. Fewer procedural safeguards are available for children with disabilities and their parents under Section 504 than under IDEA. Source: Wrightslaw.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities offers an overview and helpful links related to four laws impacting education of children with disabilities: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); No Child Left Behind (NCLB); Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 504 (Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. This law applies to, among other entities, public elementary and secondary schools).
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting President Bush's No Child Left Behind agenda and the New Freedom Initiative, OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.
The Community Coalition for Education Options
The Community Coalition for Education Options is a group of concerned citizens working to preserve a full range of educational options for children with special needs. Originally formed by parents of children with a variety of disabilities, ranging from mild to severe, high to low functioning, across the age span, CCEO now includes teachers, professionals, neighbors, and other concerned family members who want to keep the full spectrum of educational options open to children with disabilities who need alternative placements in public and non-public special education programs and schools throughout Maryland.
