Super-Important Words - American Printing House for the Blind



Know Your Rights:How to be a Self-Advocacy Superhero!Presentation for the Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning (ExCEL) Academy for Students with Visual Impairment May 19, 2020Instructors: Rebeca Sheffield, Ph.D., and Mark Richert, Esq.Super-Important WordsIf you are not sure what these words mean, look them up and write your own definitions.RightsLawsFederalAdvocateSuperheroes in HistoryPrior to 1975, students with disabilities in the United States did not have a right to go to school!Sometimes people with disabilities were forced to live apart from their families.Because of hard work from people like Helen Keller and organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind, many students who were blind were lucky to be able to attend schools for the blind. However, many kids who were blind didn’t always get to learn to read braille or learn to travel with a white cane.Disability advocates protested and argued and demanded that Congress pass a law to make sure that kids with disabilities could go to school!In 1975, Congress passed the law we know today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is the law that guarantees a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities.In 1990, advocates also helped pass another super-important law: the Americans with Disabilities Act. Because of this law, government programs and businesses cannot discriminate against people with disabilities. This is the law that means that public buildings are supposed to have braille signs, that colleges and universities have to make their classes accessible, and that employers cannot refuse to hire someone just because they are blind or visually impaired.Super Laws You Should Learn More About!Read up on these laws and how they affect you!IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education ActADA: Americans with Disabilities ActSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility ActIDEA’s Super WordsIf you are not sure what these words mean, look them up and write your own definitions.Special EducationIndividualizedAccommodationsModificationsLeast Restrictive EnvironmentEvaluationTransitionYour IDEA SuperpowersYou have a right to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) designed based on data about you.You have a right to a team of people to help create and work on your IEP. You are the most important person on that team.At least every three years, your IEP team should collect a lot of new data and have a big discussion about how your needs have changed over time. This is called re-evaluation.You have a right to instruction in braille unless your IEP team looks at a lot of information and agrees that braille would not work for you.You have a right to learn where you can succeed and in places and classes that are the same as or similar to your friends who are not blind/visually impaired. This is called being in the “least restrictive environment.”You have a right to have accommodations and modifications listed in your IEP. Your IEP is a legal document, so if something is written in the IEP, then it’s supposed to be provided.Your IEP team has to meet at least once a year and review your progress on goals that are “individualized” – meaning, specific to you.At least before you turn 16, your IEP team needs to help you begin planning for transition to college, career, and/or life in the community.Most of the time, families and teachers work together and agree about what should be in your IEP. But, you and your family have a right to disagree with the school. There are special steps and meetings that happen to help protect the rights of students and families if there is a disagreement. Investigate Your IEPMajor sections of your IEP should include:Present Levels of Performance – this explanation provides an update about how you’re doing and where you might need helpAssessment Information – this section includes the results of any major tests or evaluations you have had recentlyAnnual Goals – These are the goals you’re working to achieve, usually over a year’s time.Explanation of all the services and supports you will receive, including how often you’ll receive themExplanation of where you’ll go to school and what types of classes you’ll be in (least-restrictive environment)A list of your accommodations and/or modificationsKnow Your Superpowers!Can you find…an accessible copy of your IEP?the date of your last IEP meeting?Can you explain…who is on your IEP team?your IEP goals?your IEP accommodations?Use Your Superpowers!If there are any words in your IEP that you don’t understand, ask someone to explain.If there is a goal you want help to achieve, ask your IEP team for help.Super-Sites: Online resources to help you know and use your rights! The I’m Determined One-Pager: A great tool for starting to think about your IEP. You can complete your one-pager on paper or using an app. Explore the rest of the cool tools on as well!Interested in advocacy? The American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind both have student membership divisions.Read more about IDEA from the US Department of EducationCheck out more resources for young people with disabilities from the PACER Center ................
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