Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. No matter what the number or the year the law was created or amended, the spirit remains the same: “To guarantee quality education in integrated settings with consumer (family) involvement.”
Family participation is guaranteed under this law. Families’ time, energy, determination and knowledge about the process are the only major limits to participation in the educational decision making.
Families must be informed when their child is being evaluated for special services before they sign any papers. EVERY FAMILY MUST RECEIVE THE PARENT BOOKLET “A GUIDE TO PARENT RIGHTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS NOTICE” AT THE INITIAL SPECIAL EDUCATION MEETING AND AT EVERY YEARLY IEP MEETING. READ THIS BOOKLET THROUGH AND THROUGH TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND YOUR CHILD’S RIGHTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
If you have questions assistance is available to families as they navigate this new world of special education and they are:
Ohio Department of Special Education 1-877-644-6338 Procedural Safeguards
Disability Rights of Ohio 1-800-282-9181
P.L.94-142 (1975), P.L. 99-457 (1986), P.L. 101-476 (1990), P.L. 105-17 (1997)