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.
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.
This article from the American University School of Education provides lots of helpful, practical information for educators to improve the accessibility of their classrooms.
Bridging the gap between technology and people with disabilities.
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.
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.
Council for Exceptional Children: professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities.
“Our Mission is to vigorously advocate for and enforce the legal rights of people with disabilities.
We Envision an Arkansas where people with disabilities are equal members in their communities and can dictate the course of their own lives through self-determination.”
https://disabilityrightsar.org/
This enlightening slideshow contains lots of great information about Down Syndrome. This is a great resource to share with loved ones. Download as either a PDF or PPT below.
“We support scientific research and deliver evidence-based advice and information to improve educational outcomes for children with Down syndrome.
We work in partnership with Down Syndrome Education International. Together, our research, resources and services help people with Down syndrome in over 170 countries achieve more and live more independent and fulfilling lives.
You can find out more about our research, resources and services on the main DSE web site”
The Low Tech Communication Board Library is a collection of downloadable communication boards (PDF files) as well as helpful links you can click on (📺-video; 💜-website; 🎵-song) to use with individuals with communication needs.
Handwriting without Tears uses multisensory, developmentally appropriate strategies to increase success with early writing skills.
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.
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.
https://issuu.com/bowenlaw/docs/2012_specedmediationbrochure_issuu?mode=window
Down Syndrome: Guidelines for Inclusive Education is the first document of its kind in the United States. The document addresses the education settings that support students with Down syndrome, covering the period from early intervention and primary education through secondary and through higher education, with the primary focus being K-12 students.
PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others.
This webpage hosts information regarding applications to support Special Education in the state of Arkansas.
Our Mission
“Welcome to The Inclusive Class Blog! My name is Nicole and I advocate for the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom.”
TIES Center is the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies. Its purpose is to create sustainable changes in kindergarten-grade 8 school and district educational systems so that students with significant cognitive disabilities can fully engage in the same instructional and non-instructional activities as their general education peers while being instructed in a way that meets individual learning needs. 
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.
