DIRECTORY OF HELPFUL WEBSITES

Disclaimer: The listing of other websites is for reference only. The Least Restrictive Environment Coalition is not responsible for and does not vouch for the accuracy of the websites listed below, but suggests you view them with the discretion you would apply to any website. The descriptions of the websites are mainly taken from the sites themselves.

Index

Websites of LRE Members Government Offices Advocates Education Policy Inclusion Law & Education Disabilities Networks/Support Resources

WEBSITES OF LRE COALITION MEMBERS
Of our seventeen member organizations, those maintain active websites. For the organizations’ descriptions, see the "About Us" page.

Advocates for Children
www.advocatesforchildren.org
Association for the Help of Retarded Children
www.ahrcnyc.org
Citizens’ Committee for Children
www.kfny.org
The Cooke Center for Learning and Development
www.cookecenter.org
Legal Services for Children
www.kidslaw.org
New York State Commission on Quality of Care
www.cqc.state.ny.us
Resources for Children with Special Needs
www.resourcesnyc.org
Sinergia-Metropolitan Parents’ Center
www.sinergianyc.org

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

A. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

United States Department of Education - home page: www.ed.gov

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) - supports equal access to education and educational excellence nationally, through enforcement of the civil rights laws.
www.ed.gov/offices/OCR

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) - the division of US Department of Education with responsibility for special education, etc.
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS

See especially: The IDEA 25th anniversary website, offering history and analysis: www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA25th

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) - a division of OSERS which focuses on promoting a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities from birth through age 21. Its website offers information, research, reports on special programs, etc.
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP

See Also: The Department of Education’s 22nd Annual Report to Congress, giving a comprehensive assessment of special education:
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/Products/OSEP2000AnlRpt/index.html

And see also the page titled "A Guide to the Individualized Education Program.")
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/Products/IEP_Guide/

OSEP funds four linked projects to deliver a common message about the 1997 amendments to IDEA to four discrete audiences:

Policymakers: Policymaker Partnership (PMP)
www.ideapolicy.org
Local administrators: Local Implementation by Local Administrators (ILIAD)
www.ideapractices.org
Service providers: Association of Service Providers Implementing IDEA Reforms in Education (ASPIIRE)
www.ideapractices.org
Families and communities: Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE)
www.fape.org

National Institute on Diability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) - this institute conducts programs of research and related activities to maximize the full inclusion, social integration, employment and independent living of disabled individuals of all ages.
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR

Rehabilitative Services Administration - provides national leadership for implementation of Title I, III, IV, VII, VIII and some of V, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, through promotion and supervision of comprehensive programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and independent living for individuals with disabilities.
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA

United States Department of Justice (DOJ) - The DOJ may file lawsuits in federal court to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The DOJ maintains a website devoted to the ADA at:
www.USdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

National Library of Education - offers statistical information and reference assistance.
www.ed.gov/NLE

See also: National Council on Disability - an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on disability policy.
www.ncd.gov

B. NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT

New York State Education Department - home page: www.nysed.gov

Decisions of the Commissioner of Education
http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/Decisions/

Decisions of the State Review Officer
http://wwseddmznt.nysed.gov/sro/

Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) VESID’s mission is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protections to which they are entitled, assuring appropriate continuity from early childhood through adulthood. Its web site - web.nysed.gov/vesid - offers helpful pages, including:

Discipline Procedures for Students with Disabilities
web.nysed.gov/vesid/timely.html

Links to publications including some Federal and NY State education laws and regulations
web.nysed.gov/vesid/pubpage.html#A4

New York State Special Education Policy Guide
web.nysed.gov/vesid/sped/policy/policymain.htm

New York State Special Education Quality Assurance Information.
web.nysed.gov/vesid/sped/quality/qamain.htm

New York State Special Education Transition Information
web.nysed.gov/vesid/sped/trans/tranmain.htm

Parent’s Guide to Special Education
web.nysed.gov/vesid/timely.html

Parent Guide to Resolving Concerns About Your Child’s Special Education Services
web.nysed.gov/vesid/sped/quality/qaresolv.htm

Part 100 of the Commissioner's Regulations: Program Requirements for Pre- Kindergarten through 8th Grade and Diploma Requirements for High School.
www.emsc.nysed.gov/part100/opener.html

C. NEW YORK CITY

New York City Board of Education - Its general Website provides an overview of the New York City public school system, Chancellor’s Rules and Regulations, an organizational chart with telephone numbers and fairly up-to-date information about the Board’s reports, policies and activities.
www.nycenet.edu

See especially the following pages related to the delivery of special education services:
- Addendum to Parents

- Special Education Services as Part of a Unified Service Delivery System (The Continuum of Services for Students with Disabilities)

- Getting Started- Special Education as Part of a Unified Service Delivery System (Guidance to schools/districts for implementation of the new Continuum of Services)

- Special Education Services as Part of a Unified Service Delivery Model (A pamphlet explaining the new Continuum and how it differs from the old Continuum)

- Municipality List (a list of independent providers of related services for preschool students with disabilities)

- Creating a Quality IEP (a manual for the creation of an effective individual educational plan)

ADVOCACY (also see LRE Coalition list above)

Institute for Education and Social Policy - a policy and advocacy group which supports neighborhood activist organizations promoting education reform.
www.nyu.edu/iesp

National Association for Protection and Advocacy Services - a federally-mandated system of Protection and Advocacy Services (P&As) in each state that serve as the primary enforcers of the ADA’s integration mandate. Their charge is to assure quality of care for disabled individuals.
www.protectionandadvocacy.com

National Parent Network on Disabilities - aims to be a national voice for all families of children and adults with disabilities; provides general information on disabilities, related issues and political contacts.
www.npnd.org

National Parent Teacher Association - gives a summary of the Board of Regents annual report to the Governor and legislature, including the statement of the requirement that pre-service training for general education teachers include some special education training, and that pre-service training for special education teachers include the same subject matter content as general teachers receive.
www.nypta.com

Public Education Network - a national network of community-based school reform efforts. The website includes a guide to effective advocacy.
www.publiceducation.org

EDUCATION POLICY

All Kinds of Minds Institute - a non-profit institute for the understanding of differences in learning, based on the work of Dr. Mel Levine and his "Schools Attuned" program.
www.allkindsofminds.org

The American Federation of Teachers Educational Issues Department - This website discusses K-12 education reform strategies and research; see the special education section.
www.aft.org/edissues/index.html

The Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice - the Center promotes educational policies that support the development of children with, or at risk of developing, serious emotional disturbances, by collaborating on the federal, state and local levels to contribute to the production, exchange and use of knowledge about effective practices.
www.air.org/cecp

Council for Exceptional Children - This organization’s website focuses on policy; it includes a Legislative Action Center which provides updates on education-related legislation, a guide to Congress and the media, and links that allows you to communicate with Congress and the media.
www.cec.sped.org

New Visions for Public Schools - school reform information and research.
www.newvisions.org

INCLUSION

The Renaissance Group's Inclusion - This website is designed for general education teachers, special educaiton teachers, parents, and school staff to help provide some answers about how inclusive education can be accomplished. www.uni.edu/coe

Southwestern Connecticut Coalition for Inclusive Education - this organization’s website offers information and observations regarding inclusive education.
www.includeme.com

LAW AND EDUCATION

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: A center offering legal advocacy for the civil rights and human dignity of people with mental disabilities.
http://www.bazelon.org/welcome

The Center for Law and Education - an information and advocacy organization that provides training of parents and educators, assistance to attorneys and advocates for parents and children, policy analysis and drafting, staff development, a library of publications on law and education, and access to other resources around the country.
www.cleweb.org

Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre

NOLO.com - legal information and resources on many topics.
www.nolo.com

Reed Martin, J.D. website on special education law - Provides general advice and strategy tips on navigating the special education system, as well as materials for sale.
www.reedmartin.com

Wrightslaw Libraries - Articles, cases, information and a free newsletter about special education law.
www.wrightslaw.com

DISABILITIES: WEBSITES ON SPECIFIC DISABLING CONDITIONS

A. ADD
B. Autism
C. Emotional/Behavioral
D. Mental Retardation
E. Learning Disabilities
F. Blind/Visually Impaired and Deafness
G. Down Syndrome
H. Dyslexia
I. Traumatic Brain Injury
J. Other

A. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

Additude - an online magazine dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder issues.
http://www.additudemag.com

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) - This national non-profit organization offers education, advocacy and support to children and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Their website offers facts, research, a legislative action center, links, etc.
www.chadd.org

National A.D.D. Association - offers information on Attention Deficit Disorder medications, support groups and links.
http://www.add.org

LD Pride Online - A site for children and adults with LD and ADD which includes an audio download of web pages for the reading disabled, an interactive learning disability checklist, articles, resources and links to other sites.
www.ldpride.net

B. AUTISM

The Autism Society of America - The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research related to autism.
www.autism-society.org

The New York Autism Network
www.albany.edu/psy/autism/autism.html/

Unlocking Autism - A non-profit organization whose mission is to increase society's ability to work with and understand people with autism. The organization educates parents about treatments for autism and about pending legislation and existing laws. The organization also assists parents of newly diagnosed children by providing direction through a parent-to-parent support hotline and raises funds for research and projects.
http://www.unlockingautism.org/index2.html

Westchester ParentLink - Westchester parent support and advocacy group that aims to attain for higher functioning children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and other PDD's appropriate educational programming, increased social opportunities, and meaningful employment.
www.westchesterparentlink.org

C. EMOTIONAL AND/OR BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD): an international organization committed to promoting and facilitating the education and general welfare of children/youth with behavioral and emotional disorders.
http://www.ccbd.net

Lifenet - a confidential crisis information and referral operation provided as a community service by the Mental Health Association of NYC, Inc. in association with the New York City Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services.
www.LifeNet.com

OSEP Center on Positive Behavioral Iinterventions and Supports: a center for research-validated school-wide disciplinary practices and systems that foster positive learning and teaching environments.
http://www.pbis.org

D. MENTAL RETARDATION

The Arc of the United States - a national organization "of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families."
www.thearc.org

American Association on Mental Retardation - a membership organization providing information and resources of interest to those serving the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled.
www.aamr.org

Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities - a web site that offers "An American History of Mental Retardation", commentary on developmental disabilities, a list of movies involving disabilities issues, and related web links.
member.aol.com/mranddd/introhx.html

E. LEARNING DISABILITIES

LD Online - an interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and children.
www.ldonline.org

Learning Disabilities Association of America - a national non-profit organization whose purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults of normal or potentially-normal intelligence, who manifest disabilities of a perceptual, conceptual or coordinative nature. They do advocacy, education, research and provide service. The website offers information and advice.
www.ldanatl.org

LD Resources - This is a clearinghouse of resources on learning disabilities and links to related websites.
www.ldresources.com

National Center for Learning Disabilities - offers information on all aspects of learning disabilities and a guide to relevant resources and links.
http://www.ncld.org

F. BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED and DEAF/BLIND

National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Young Adults Who are Deaf/Blind - NTAC is a federally funded project that combines the resources, expertise and experience of Teaching Research and the Helen Keller National Center to provide technical assistance to families and agencies serving children and young adults who are deaf/blind. The site includes research, publications, a database of trainings for educators of the deaf/blind, and links to further resources.
www.tr.wosc.osshe.edu/ntac

New York Institute for Special Education - a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian educational facility providing programs for children who are blind or visually disabled, emotionally and learning disabled and preschoolers who are developmentally delayed. It also maintains a website with useful information, particularly for the blind and visually impaired.
http://www.tsbvi.edu/agenda/index.html

G. DOWN SYNDROME

Disability Solutions - a resource for families and others interested in Down syndrome and related disabilities.
www.disabilitysolutions.org

H. DYSLEXIA

International Dyslexia Association of America (LDA) - This non-profit scientific and educational association is dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia. The website offers information and resources about dyslexia, a bulletin board, and a "Kids Only" section.
www.interdys.org

Orton Dyslexia Society - offers information on dyslexia, research, legislation and state chapters of the Society.
http://www.interdys.org

I. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Brain Injury Association, Inc - a non-profit organization whose mission is "to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy." Among other activities, the Association maintains an informative website and a telephone HelpLine prividing advice and information from its extensive in-house library

J. SITES THAT COVER A NUMBER OF DISABILITIES

ADDed Reality - This is a website offering information and links on a number of conditions, including Asberger [Asperger] Syndrome, Dysgraphia, Tourette’s Syndrome and learning disabilities and giftedness.
www.addedreality.com

Jerome and Deborah’s Big Page of Special Education Links - offers links related to specific disabilities.
www.mts.net/~jgreenco/special.html

NETWORKS/SUPPORT

Fathers Network - an organization to support and inform fathers and families raising children with special needs.
www.fathersnetwork.org

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - a grass-roots organization to provide support to people who care for ill, aged or disabled family members.
www.nfcacares.org

The Oaks Group - a non-profit organization advocating community options for adults and children with developmental disabilities. The group argues against long term institutionalization and segregated schooling.
www.oaksgroup.org

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network - a non-profit New Jersey-wide advocacy network for parents of children from birth to 21, with and without disabilities.
www.spannj.org

RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

The Children with Disabilities online guide - a new initiative by the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide children with disabilities and their parents access to a wide range of Federal, State, local and national resources.
http://www.childrenwithdisabilities.ncjrs.org

Education Development Center, Inc. - a non-profit education and health organization that brings researchers together with practitioners to create innovative curriculum tools and other resources for better education for all students.
www.edc.org

The Education Trust - provides data and analysis on education issues, focusing on low-income and minority students.
www.edtrust.org

Education Week - this web page links to all major organizations involved in education-union and professional groups, not-for-profits, research organizations, foundations, think tanks, etc.
www.edweek.org/context/orgs/subject_orgs.htm

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) - a federally-funded national information center that provides a variety of services and products on a broad range of education-related issues.
www.askeric.org

Family and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) - a federally-funded project aimed at informing families and advocates about the IDEA and at promoting research-based best practices in this area.
www.fape.org

Family Village School - a compendium of online articles on various topics, including IDEA, inclusion and transition.
www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/education

Internet Resources for Special Children - This website offers many links to websites related to the needs of children with disabilities, including some sites on very specific disabilities. It also links to many search engines to facilitate further research.
www.irsc.org

Internet Special Education Resources (ISER) - a nationwide directory of professionals who serve the learning disabilities and special education communities. Its mission is to help parents and caregivers find local special education professionals to help with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder assessment, therapy, advocacy, and other special needs.
www.iser.com

Job Accommodation Network - provides many resources related to the accommodation of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, including the disabilities laws, suggestions for accommodations for particular disabilities and related websites.
janweb.icdi.wvu.edu

Kidsneeds.com - a for-profit site aimed at families of children with special needs, this site mainly provides articles on disability-related topics and markets books, toys and other products for children with special needs.
www.kidneeds.com

Lawhelp.org - Online legal referral and information system designed to help low to moderate income New Yorkers find legal resources and information to inform them of their rights and help them find representation.
www.lawhelp.org

The Learning Network Parent Channel - this website includes articles about many issues of parenting and education and offers useful links to resources on specific learning disabilities.
familyeducation.com

Literacy Assistance Center - a non-profit organization that focuses on adult and youth literacy in New York. The LAC Web site offers online literacy resources. LAC maintains a Clearinghouse of printed materials, software and videos on pedagogy, literacy and learning styles and a Computer Learning Center where literacy practitioners can explore different methods of integrating technology into instruction. The LAC Hotline gives information on literacy programs, GED testing, workforce preparation, English language classes, and vocational training.
www.lacnyc.org

LRP’s Education Administration Online - provides research on education issues, a comprehensive update on federal laws affecting education and news from Washington, DC, also articles on successful education practices.
phoenix.lrp.com/EAO

National Center for Learning Disabilities - a national organization supporting individuals with learning disabilities, providing information, resources, referral services, educational programs and advocacy.
www.ncld.org

National Center on Outcomes Research - offers an "outcome measurement model" from the Council on Quality and Leadership to evaluate programs for disabled people, and a "Personal Outcomes" database developed using it.
www.ncor.org

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - extensive directory of information on IDEA and special education supports- see their IDEA training package, downloadable for free!
www.nichcy.org

National Institute for Urban Schools - offers research on education - try searching for "inclusive schools and communities".
www2.edc.org/urban/

PACER Center - a non-profit organization helping children and families with and without disabilities - provides information and links.
www.pacer.org

San Francisco State University - The University’s website provides a "Chronology of the Disability Rights Movement" from 1817 up to 1996.
www.sfsu.edu

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers - provides technical assistance for establishing, developing, and coordinating Parent Training and Information Centers under the IDEA.
taalliance.org

The University of Illinois, Department of Disability and Human Development - offers a guide to 1977 through 1998 national spending on disabilities, broken down by state.
www.uic.edu/depts/idhd/stateofthestates/home.htm

TECHNOLOGY

The Center to Link Urban Schools with Information and Support on Technology and Special Education ("LINKUS") - aims to assist urban schools in accessing and effectively using information and support about the use of technology for students with disabilities. It is now directly working with the school systems of Boston, Massachusetts and New York City’s District 15.
www.edc.org/LINKUS

Family Center on Technology and Disability - a federally funded project to assist organizations and programs that serve families of children with disabilities by providing information on accessing and using assistive technology.
www.ucpa.org

National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials - offers a collection of resources about technology and special education, videos of students using assistive and instructional technology, an instructive "tour" of an early childhood classroom, online workshops, links, etc.
www.edc.org/NCIP