As a parent, you may have already talked to your local school district about your child`s rights. If this has not already happened, it could very well happen in the future. When the time comes, you want to be prepared and informed about special education issues in general. National Federation of the Blind (NFB) (nfb.org) The NFB improves the lives of blind people through advocacy, education, research, technology and programs that promote self-reliance and self-confidence. It is today the leading force in the field of blindness and the voice of the nation`s blind. Special Education Law Blog (specialedlaw.blogs.com/) A specialized legal resource that discusses case law, news, practical advice, and developments in state and federal laws, laws, and regulations. Contributions include ideas and sometimes humor from Charles P. Fox, a Chicago, Illinois attorney who is also a parent of a child with special needs, and guest authors. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) (www.asha.org/public/) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language and hearing disabilities receive services that help them communicate effectively. Here you will find resources to help you understand and communication disorders.

Internet Special Education Resources (ISER) (www.iser.com) ISER is a directory of special education professionals, organizations and schools. We help parents find local special education teachers for learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder, therapy, advocacy, critical adolescent issues and other special needs. National Association of the Deaf (NAD) (www.nad.org/issues/education) NAD is actively involved in providing information about opportunities to educate deaf and hard of hearing children, the challenges faced by deaf and hard of hearing people with high-stakes testing, and the legal obligations of public and private schools, post-secondary programs, colleges and universities. Teaching LD (teachingld.org/) Information and resources for teaching students with learning disabilities. The Division of Learning Disabilities (DLD) is one of 17 advocacy groups of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for people with disabilities, including students with disabilities and gifted people. Chapel Haven (www.chapelhaven.org/che/) REACH Program Chapel Haven is for people with intellectual and social disabilities with the goal of helping them lead independent, self-determined lives. They are an excellent resource for families researching post-secondary and bridging programs. From the About page: “I want to share resources, materials and tips for working with children with autism. Autistic children are my passion. I hope to give you easy-to-implement ideas that can transform your classroom and give you tools to help your students reach their potential. Communication deficits and behavioral problems should not interfere with your teaching and your students` learning. The website of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education contains “a wealth of useful information for state agencies, schools, parents and advocates interested in quality education for students with disabilities.” The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR): Provides parents with information about special education and disability resources, including links to helpful resources.

Description: This website contains articles on teaching strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities, describing how the strategies can be used in different subjects and for specific purposes. It also offers blogs about teaching materials that can be used to support teaching. This website provides information on how to address other related teaching topics such as accommodation and inclusion. It also highlights special education requirements. There are other sections, such as a multimedia section, where one can find resources with the latest and most specialized research. There are many resources for general school teachers, special education teachers, professionals, administrators, and parents. E-Ready Special Education Information for Teachers (www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3713) This website provides teachers and other educators, as well as parents, with information and resources about teaching students with disabilities. Understanding the Every Student Success Act: This guide is designed to help parents understand the flexibility of the Every Student Success Act (ASHS) and advocate for better education for their children. U. Ministry of Education (www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/edpicks.jhtml) The Ministry of Education provides a list of resources related to the needs of children with disabilities. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) (www.spinalcord.org/) Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all people with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D).

We provide active living information, peer support and advocacy that enable individuals to reach their full potential in all facets of life. Mission: “The mission of this blog is to serve as the voice of an ongoing researcher in the field of educational and assistive technologies so that the best products, strategies and services can be easily found, in the hope that they will then be delivered, taught and used to improve the lives of people with disabilities.” Disability Resources, Inc. (www.Disabilityresources.org) Disability Resources, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to promote and improve awareness, availability, and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work, and play independently. California Special Needs Law Group. (2013). Learn how to keep up to date with the latest issues in special education. Excerpted from www.csnlg.com/blog/learn-how-to-stay-on-top-of-the-latest-issues-in-special-education/ Special Education News (www.specialednews.com/) Special Education News is a newspaper that provides information on topics related to special education. Here`s a list of 50 different special education blogs that are aimed at teachers, but can also be helpful for parents. The National Information Centre for Children and Youth with Disabilities is a must for those seeking information, research, publications and links on educational issues affecting children and youth with disabilities. The Autism Society (www.autism-society.org/) The Autism Society has a simple goal: to improve the lives of all people with autism.

To improve lives, we ensure that all people with autism and their families have access to the help they need. Description: This website provides a wealth of information and resources related to the Education of Persons with Disabilities Act (IDEA). It contains provisions for the implementation of the Act. It also provides access to other related legislation, as well as webinars on IDEA-related topics. This website is constantly updated as it is considered a “living” website. Therefore, it is ideal to follow the changing guidelines of the IDEA. The Federation for Children with Special Needs (fcsn.org/index.php) The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides information, support and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners and their communities. We are committed to listening and learning from families and promoting the full participation of all, especially persons with disabilities, in community life. Resource Room (www.resourceroom.net/) The Resource Room provides tools, strategies, and structured exploration for interesting learners, including lessons, ideas, articles, and links for multisensory learning for people of all ages. The site also provides resources for people who learn differently or who have learning disabilities or learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia.

From the “About” page: “The Therapeutic Teacher was created to provide early childhood educators with evidence-based, structured and engaging resources and interventions. As a former teacher, I understand the challenges teachers face and do my best to create resources that help teachers overcome those barriers. I translate what I have learned in school psychology into my resources so that teachers can use the latest, proven, academic and behavioral interventions. The teacher therapist is a place where teachers can collaborate with other teachers and school psychologists and learn how to make the best decisions for children in the classroom. “Support parents and advocates in improving educational outcomes for children with disabilities. Advocacy has a wonderful parenting guide called “A New IDEA” on your rights under the Special Education Act. You can read it online or print it. It is very friendly for parents. Can also help you with a school-related issue if it aligns with their priorities. Website Link: www.pen.k12.va.us/special_ed/regulations/index.shtml no matter how you do it, make sure you stay informed all the time. There are many resources you can choose from, so choose the one that works best for you and use it while your child is in school.