NLDline
Subj: THE SPECIAL ED ADVOCATE, JUNE
15 1999 (VOL. II, NO. 12)
Date: 6/15/99 7:34:27 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: webmaster@wrightslaw.com (Pam and Pete Wright)
Sender: owner-special-ed-advocate@wrightslaw.com
To: special-ed-advocate@wrightslaw.com
==================
The Special Ed Advocate
The Online Newsletter About
Special Education and the Law
June 15, 1999 Vol. II, No. 12
Visit us today at:
http://www.wrightslaw.com
===================
The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal issues,
cases, tactics and strategy, effective educational methods, and Internet links.
We publish this newsletter occasionally, when time permits. Back issues of The Special Ed
Advocate are archived at our web site - http://www.wrightslaw.com
As a subscriber to The Special Ed Advocate, you will receive announcements and
"alerts" about new cases and other events. You will find contact, copyright, and
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========================
1. FROM WEST VIRGINIA MOM: “WRIGHTSLAW AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISOLATION”
2. RENE WRITES “I CRIED WHEN I READ . . .
3. HELP! TROUBLE WITH MY KID’S COLLEGE
4. EDITOR’S CHOICE FROM THE BOOKSTORE
5. ADVOCACY TIP: BRING FOOD!
6. NEWS! IDEA AMENDED AGAIN
7. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
8. CONTACT INFORMATION
======================
1. FROM WEST VIRGINIA MOM: “WRIGHTSLAW AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ISOLATION
I have two hearing impaired children who also have ADHD - they are now 22 and 19 and went
through a system that failed miserably.
We knew what was wrong and fought for them but it seems you can litigate law, not
intelligence.
Our lives were miserable because we were alone.
I knew as much as most local attorneys and even stumped state and federal lawyers to the
point they said they would have to research a point. I am sure you are used to parents
complaining all the time and you realize that, more often than not, there is something to
it.
I just want to say, what you are doing here is beyond wonderful.
While raising our children, I had access to the regulations and knew them well but what I
missed was what to do when the school did not follow the regulations. Most parents do not
know special education law well enough to defend themselves when school administrators
tell them
(falsely) that they misread it, do not understand it, or that it changed. As we parents
got smarter, so did the school system.
Although I am done with this phase, I have book marked your site and recommend it to
others. I suggest that they order your package and have ordered it for close friends and
relatives.
I have a feeling your site has done more good than you will ever imagine.
BETTY FROM WEST VIRGINIA
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2. RENE WRITES “I CRIED WHEN I READ . . .
I cried when I read your article "Learning Problems at School: Whose
Fault Is It?"
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/ALESSI1.html
This describes exactly what we have been going through with the school.
Although I don’t want the school/district staff make my son "the problem,"
I have spent considerable time wondering if I am "the problem" as “the
professionals" suggested.
I know that other have had similar experiences. Now I know I'm not alone - I can fight
another day.
=========================
3. HELP! TROUBLE WITH MY KID’S COLLEGE
ROBIN left this message on our Bulletin Board:
If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. Reinventing the wheel again!!!
In a condensed version my son, age 20, is a sophomore at a large private university and is
unable to complete the math requirement. Actually, he can't pass basic algebra to take the
required math course. He is in the 2nd percentile for math and obtained 300 on math SAT.
Yet he completed his first year at another college as a dean's list student.
We are petitioning the University to waive the math requirement( they never have) or to
allow a substitution course. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is backing us as is
our son's tutor.
The math chair feels he can do it if he works hard enough!!! HELP!!
Does anyone have advice or experience dealing with problems at the university level? I am
familiar with the Boston University decision.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/case_Bartlett_Bar_2d_9809.htm
Has anyone had success getting a waiver or substituting a required course.
* * * NANCY FROM OHIO HAD THIS ADVICE FOR ROBIN * * *
I have four dyslexic/ADHD children and have had similar issues to yours. It's a good idea
to convince the college that substitution of a math requirement or language requirement is
necessary.
If you have reluctant administrators and your child is "otherwise qualified" and
the private university is not religiously controlled and the university receives federal
monies (i.e. student loans), I recommend that you contact your local Civil Rights Unit and
request a complaint
form.
In addition, I would file a complaint with the Department of Justice. I've found the DOJ
to be very helpful.
Did the university accept your son knowing that he has dyscalculia? (If your son is
majoring in a field that requires math, you need to think this through . .)
Request copies of all policies and procedures for serving the disabled and read them.
Understand what kind of "substitutions" are available for physically handicapped
students - analogies can be helpful to people who are not enlightened.
Also, request copies of their grievance policies and begin the process.
If your son's college is part of a "conference" of colleges, you might want to
request copies of their policies. If one school in the conference provides the
substitution your son needs, you want everyone to know about it!
I am now struggling with my son's college in New York. This is a small private college
where they decided to cut services to students with disabilities and charge fees for
"reasonable accommodations.” This is not appropriate or legal.
A couple of years ago, my daughter filed suit against her college for failing to provide
accommodations (equal access). The DOJ was very helpful. When the college learned that the
DOJ was involved, they suddenly wanted to settle.
Settlement included collaboration with the college and DOJ to re-write their policies in
addition to a monetary award. Find out who the ADA coordinator is at the university,
Send a letter.
Call. Visit in person.
Check these sites for more assistance:
Department of Justice - www.usdoj.gov/
Office of Civil Rights - www.dhhs.gov/progorg/ocr/ocrhmpg.html
Find out what region you live in and give them a call!
Good luck!
NANCY
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4. EDITOR’S CHOICE FROM THE BOOKSTORE
THE COMPLETE IEP GUIDE: HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR SPECIAL ED CHILD
New from Nolo Press, THE COMPLETE IEP GUIDE describes the IEP and IEP process, how to get
services for a child, how to resolve disputes with school districts, and more.
As most special ed parents know, the child’s special education is determined by
educators and parents who work together to develop the child’s Individualized
Education Program (IEP). This is process is often complicated and is stressful and
intimidating to parents.
Here is what reviewers say about THE COMPLETE IEP GUIDE.
A “must have” for parents of special education children!
This book will become a “bible” for parents of special education children. The
book is written clearly and concisely for the lay person.
The IEP process is spelled out in easy to follow steps.
The book includes letters and forms that an be copied or amended which are invaluable, and
will help parents become effective advocates for their children.
The information in this book can save a parent thousands of dollars in attorney’s
fees. If you buy just one book about special education this year, this should be the one!
http://www.wrightslaw.com/bkstore/bks_law.htm
PREPARING INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: A TOOL IN DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE
INSTRUCTION.
Confused about IEP goals and objectives? Pennsylvania psychologist Peg Kay recommends
"Preparing Instructional Objectives: A Critical Tool in the Development of Effective
Instruction" by Robert Mager.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/bkstore/bks_educate.htm
==============
5. PARENT TIP: BRING FOOD!
Our son is going through the evaluation process to enter special ed (he has ADD and has
worked under a 504 plan which proved ineffective). Last week, I went to a meeting at the
school with the vice principal, teachers, resource specialists and school counselors.
I took food! They loved me for it.
I didn't think it was fair that they had to attend this meeting on their lunch hour so I
brought a sandwich tray - no big deal but it sure perked up their spirits.
They said it was the first time they had been treated to lunch by a parent. I hope it sent
a message and helped put us on the same team.
FROM PAM AT WRIGHTSLAW
Bringing food to school meetings is a good idea! When Pete and I do advocacy training
sessions around the country, we recommend that parents bring food, especially when things
are getting tense.
Pete likes Krispy Kreme donuts for morning meetings. Bringing sandwiches does send a
positive message that "We are working together as team."
When people break bread together, they view each other differently.
6. UBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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===========
7. CONTACT INFORMATION
Pete and Pam Wright
c/o The Special Ed Advocate
P. O. Box 1008
Deltaville, VA 23043
Phone: 804-257-0857
Website: http://www.wrightslaw.com
Email: webmaster@wrightslaw.com
The resources at this website are copyrighted by the authors. They may be used for
non-commercial purposes only. They may not be redistributed for commercial purposes
without the express written consent of Peter W. D. Wright.
It is not necessary to obtain our consent to link to our website or copy, print and
distribute our articles and newsletters for nonprofit purposes so long as the material is
reproduced in its entirety and credit is given to Pete and Pam Wright and
"wrightslaw" including the URL -
http://www.wrightslaw.com
Copyright 1999, Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright. All rights reserved.
END