When your child is diagnosed with a special need you will want to know what legal rights and protections are afforded to your child in an educational setting. Keeping up with all the changes in the laws and regulations is overwhelming but do not worry assistance is available in the form of an Educational Advocate!
Educational Advocates at Exceptional Parents Unlimited (EPU) are specially trained professionals in special education law. Each advocate is also the parent, or family member, of a child with special needs that has personal experience with their child in the educational system.
All EPU advocates have participated in extensive training and testing programs designed specifically for educational advocates. While our advocates are not lawyers, their chief responsibilities include, advising, educating and supporting parents of children with special needs through the special education system.
Having an advocate to assist in determining your child's rights is a great help to parents not only from a legal perspective, but also by reducing the stress parents may feel when faced with the uncertainty of the meeting
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There are two laws that govern children who have been identified with disabilities:
Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, is a civil law that prohibits discrimination against all individual with special challenges if that challenge is prohibits them from benefiting fully in their academic setting. Accommodations and modifications can be made to the regular education curriculum so the student can participate fully on the way to a diploma.
IDEA is a federally appointed mandate that allows a free appropriate education to all children regardless of their special needs. In order for a child to be governed by IDEA the parent must be show their child's disability is substantially limiting them from participating in grade appropriate curriculum.
IDEA provides an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is similar to a medical treatment plan. The IEP should address present levels of performance and the goals and objectives that will enable the child to reach their full potential. The IEP should also address how goals will be measured, what related services are required to reach those goals, and direct placement, either through testing or observation.
EPU serves 10 counties of the Central Valley area of California: Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Stanislaus, Tulare, Kings and Kern. EPU is funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) to teach and protect the legal rights of parents and children receiving special education services.
For further information or an appointment please call EPU at (559) 229-2000 and ask to speak to an advocate.
EPU is a non-profit agency and does not charge a fee for advocacy services. Funding for Educational Advocates at EPU's Parent Training and Information Center is made possible through a Grant from the Federal Government under the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act.
-- Compiled and written by Vicki Benson
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