10 Reasons to Support Inclusive School Communities for ALL Students
This helpful article from the TIES Center provides incredibly useful information for anyone wanting to know why inclusion is so important. Read it and share it with friends!
Education
Students with disabilities are entitled to certain protections/supports under 2 federal laws; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), 2004 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Below are links to various state agencies and organizations that provide in-depth information about special education law/regulations and specialized services available in Arkansas.
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3D Program – U of A Pulaski Tech
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute at UA – Pulaski Tech admits a new cohort of students each fall who challenge others to think differently about disabilities, much like a 3D film highlights new dimensions, by offering post-secondary education and job preparation for adults with developmental or intellectual differences. 3D Students learn about professionalism in the industry through rigorous hands-on training before connecting with a supported internship in the fields of Culinary, Baking, and Hospitality.
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A Parent’s Guide to Civil Rights and Education
This “Blue Book” is not intended to offer specific legal advice, but intends to be of general educational value so that the reader may better understand the purpose of the law governing the education of students with disabilities.
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http://disabilityrightsar.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/DRA-Bluebook-2015.pdf
A Parent’s Guide to Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that guarantees that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education alongside their non-disabled peers.
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http://disabilityrightsar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/A-Parents-Guide-DRA-.pdf
The Arkansas Autism Resource & Outreach Center (AAROC) was established January 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the AAROC is to provide Hope, Direction & Support to families of individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.ACCE Program
Academics, Community, Career Development and Employment Program (ACCE)
Postsecondary Education & Training
Easterseals Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have an exciting new program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in central Arkansas.
The Academics, Community, Career Development and Employment Program (ACCE) is an opportunity for students to have a college experience and prepare for competitive employment. Academics, social support, work exploration, and job placement are all components of the program.
ACCE is a two-semester program on the UA Little Rock campus. For additional information, or to apply, please contact Easterseals Arkansas at 501-227-3600 or info@eastersealsar.com.
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Adult Down Syndrome Center | Resource Library
About the Center
The Adult Down Syndrome Center is a primary and specialty healthcare clinic that has served the medical and psychosocial needs of over 6,000 teens and adults with Down syndrome since 1992. As a comprehensive medical resource we provide patients everything from holistic care and support to education and resources in a compassionate, welcoming environment. We also hold events, participate in community outreach and conduct research.
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Arkansas Department of Education/Special Education
The Arkansas Department of Education is responsible for dispersing funds to local school districts for special education and related services, and they also regulate services. This website contains complete Arkansas regulations and forms that are required for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
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Article: How Teachers Can Make Their Classrooms More Accessible for Students with Disabilities
This article from the American University School of Education provides lots of helpful, practical information for educators to improve the accessibility of their classrooms.
Read the article here
BridgingApps
BridgingApps is a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston that provides access to educational and therapeutic tools—anywhere, anytime—allowing parents, teachers, and therapists to effectively use mobile devices and apps to target and improve individual skill development to help children and adults with disabilities reach their highest levels of physical and cognitive development.
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Center on Technology and Disability
Center on Technology and Disability: provides a wealth of free resources about assistive and instructional material – personal and professional development webinars, articles, guides, training materials and more.
The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The Center is designed to increase the capacity of families and providers to advocate for, acquire, and implement effective assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) practices, devices, and services. Research-based technologies, used appropriately, have great potential to help infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities participate fully in daily routines; have increased access to the general educational curriculum; improve their functional outcomes and educational results; and meet college- and career-ready standards.
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CIR/CUIT
CIR/CUIT – Centralized Intake and Referral / Consultant Unified Intervention Team
CIR/CUIT is a group of special education consultants available to assist in interventions for students with sensory disabilities, multiple physical disabilities, behavior, and autism spectrum disorders. Services can be requested by parents, guardians, caregivers, school personnel, or any other concerned party.
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Council for Exceptional Children
Council for Exceptional Children: professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities.
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Department of Workforce Education/Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
ARS provides services including career and technical education and training, transition from school to work or postsecondary education, on-the-job training, and ancillary support services that clients may need for successful employment.
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http://ace.arkansas.gov/arRehabServices/aboutARS/Pages/default.aspx
DS Awareness Slideshow
This enlightening slideshow contains tons of great information about Down Syndrome. This is a great resource to share with loved ones.
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EMPOWER – University of Arkansas
EMPOWER offers a four-year, non-degree college experience program for students with cognitive disabilities that incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social/leisure skills, and health/wellness skills in a public university setting with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults. The University of Arkansas program is offered for students who demonstrate the ability to safely live independently, sustain employment, and socially integrate during their enrollment. The program progresses with an emphasis on workplace experience, community integration, and independent living with transitionally reduced supports. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of program completion.
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Handwriting without Tears
Handwriting without Tears uses multisensory, developmentally appropriate strategies to increase success with early writing skills.
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Inclusion Works Foundation
“The mission of Inclusion Works Foundation (Inclusion Works) is to promote Equity and Access to a Quality Inclusive Education for children of ALL ABILITIES.”
The Inclusion Works Foundation supports inclusive Classrooms, inclusive education, special education inclusion (definition) and the overall promotion of IDEA. Specifically, the promotion of Inclusion, Diversity & Educational Activism for parents, students, educators and community – in all settings. Inclusion means “Everyone Matters!”
Intervention Central
Intervention Central provides teachers, schools and districts with free resources to help struggling learners and implement Response to Intervention and attain the Common Core State Standards.
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Life Styles, Inc
Life Styles enthusiastically supports individuals with disabilities in reaching their full potential as contributing members of the community. They are the organization behind the Launch program.
Launch
Launch is a program for students between the ages of 18 and 25 who want a college experience. They are able to experience many social aspects of the University of Arkansas such as having class on campus, using the gym on campus, eating at the Union and Commons, having University Mentors and Internships. The classes that the students take are focused on continuing education (math, reading, writing, etc.) and independent living skills (budgeting, career exploration, social skills, healthy living, etc). It is not fully affiliated with the University of Arkansas; partnerships between departments exist. For additional information, please contact the Program Director.
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Launch program: https://thinkcollege.net/programs/launch
Life Styles: http://www.lifestylesinc.org/
Mediation Clinic, UALR Bowen School of Law
A free service provided by the Arkansas Department of Education, mediation brings together parents and educators to work with each other to resolve disagreements about a child’s special education needs. Special education mediation is voluntary and confidential.
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https://arksped.k12.ar.us/documents/disputeresolution/mediationprojectbrochure.pdf
Personalized IEP Support from NDSS
Do you need help with your Individualized Education Plan (IEP)? NDSS offers personalized inclusion support to families and schools.
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Fill out the form on NDSS’s website to be contacted by a member of their team.
Project SEARCH Arkansas
ACCESS Initiative is an innovative job-training program providing a nine-month internship program for young adults, with developmental disabilities. Interns in the program complete (3) ten-week rotations at a partnering business with the goal of gaining necessary skills to obtain competitive employment. Upon completion of the program, staff provide assistance with finding employment within the community and continued support during employment
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The Center for Exceptional Families
Our Mission
…..is to improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities, including students transitioning to adult life beyond high school.
Our Vision
…..is to work in collaboration with families and their local school districts to promote an innovative approach to special education services for an individual with disabilities.
Our Goal
…..is to assist Arkansans with disabilities in attaining an exceptional quality of life!
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The Transition Coalition
The Transition Coalition is an organization run through the University of Kansas which aims to maximize professional development opportunities for career and college readiness for youth with disabilities.
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Think College
Think College is a resource that helps people with disabilities navigate options for higher education.
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Transition Guide from U.S. Dept. of Education
The United States Department of Education has created a Transition Guide to Post-secondary Education and Employment to help families navigate the transition process.
View & Download Here
Woodbine House
Woodbine House was founded in 1985 by the father of a child with Down syndrome who hoped to give other parents access to the type of practical, empathetic information he had struggled to find for himself. Since those pre-Internet days, our mission has grown to encompass publishing accessible, empowering books for families, teachers, and professionals who are seeking guidance and support in helping children and adults with any disability achieve their potential.
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Wright’s Law
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy topics. Subscribers learn about new cases, articles, seminars and training, special offers on books by Pete & Pam Wright, and other useful information about special education law and advocacy.
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