Toolkit
This Toolkit contains numerous websites and valuable information on assistive technology, education, IEPs, post-secondary education, gifted and talented opportunities, and checklists to review life learning skills. It also contains information on in-state colleges and universities offices which provide assistance to students with exceptionalities and many more resources from around the country.
Accessible Instructional Materials
- AIM Delaware – Program to ensure children with print disabilities have access to accessible instructional materials.
- National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials – Information on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) which are designed or converted in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of student variability regardless of format (print, digital, graphical, audio, video).
Advocacy and Information
- CHOICES Delaware – Making Language Choices Available to Delaware Families of Children with Hearing Loss is a coalition of parents, educators, advocates, and health care providers.
- Center for Disabilities Studies – Based at the University of Delaware the Center helps individuals with disabilities and their families with education, advocacy, service and research.
- Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) – The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) connects Delawareans who have disabilities with the tools they need in order to learn, work, play, and participate in community life safely and independently.
- Delaware Parent Teacher Association (DPTA) – Every child. One voice.
- Delaware Public Education Ombudsman Program (DPEOP) - Services for families can range from coaching & training to legal representation. English Spanish
- Delaware School Nurse Association (DSNA) – Mission is to promote the profession of school nursing and to advance the delivery of professional school health services to promote optimal learning in students.
- Delaware Speech-Language-Hearing Association (DSHA) – Empowers professionals and future professionals with resources, advocacy and networking.
- Delaware State Educator's Association (DSEA) – The Delaware State Education Association, a union of public school employees, advocates for the rights and interests of its members and outstanding public education for all students.
- Delaware Statewide Programs for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind – Supports and enhances the communicative, cognitive and social-emotional skills of all students who are deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind in Delaware.
- Dover Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program –The FAP develops, implements, and evaluates programs and policies to prevent and treat family maltreatment. The FAP provides expert training and consultation services to its key customers, including Airmen and their families.
- Family SHADE – Delaware's Family SHADE is a collaborative alliance of family partners and organizations committed to improving the quality of life for children and youth with special health care needs, and their caregivers.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – The U.S. Department of Education website for information and resources.
- National Center for Learning Disabilities – A clearing house for information about learning disabilities.
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) –Committed to the broad values of Inclusion, Equity and Opportunity for infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults with disabilities to actively participate in all aspects of life.
- University of Delaware, Center for Disability Studies: Career and Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) – A comprehensive, inclusive and customized education program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It serves those who desire more than a high school certificate or diploma who are not qualified for traditional postsecondary education because they require additional services and supports to succeed in furthering their education.
- U.S. Department of Education – Web page lists the Employment Specialists in all 50 states.
- Wright's Law – A website with education and special ed. legal information for parents and individuals with disabilities.
Assistive Technology
- Assistive Technology Solutions – Family Center on Technology and Disability illustrated examples of AT options.
- Web Accessibility Initiative – W3C creating accessibility for people with disabilities. Guide for enlarging text, adjusting hearing, captions, keyboard customization, voice commands and more.
Education
- ACE Network – The ACE Network is a service agency that supports adult education and literacy providers through training and resource development.
- Learning Disability (LD) Online – Helps children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD.
- Adult Education – Helpful information from the Delaware Dept. of Education
- Moss Rehab Driving Instruction Packet
Education Options & Skilled Childcare
- Howard T. Ennis School – Providing services to all students preschool through age 21 with significant disabilities within the Indian Rivers School District and sending districts that demonstrate a need for highly specialized educational support.
- John G. Leach – Leach School serves pupils residing in New Castle County, ages 3-21 that have physical disabilities, moderate to severe cognitive disabilities, or serious health impairments.
- The Brennan School – Strives to provide the best educational services in the nation for students with autism and their families.
- The College School – The College School serves students in first through eighth grade who demonstrate learning, attention, mild social/emotional, and/or mild behavioral issues that may impact school success.
Helpful Information
- A Transition Guide to Post Secondary Education and Employment – U.S. Dept. of Education
Individualized Education Program
- Delaware Individualized Education Program – Dept. of Education information
- Developing Your Childs IEP – Center for Parent Information & Resources
- Tips & Tricks for Getting Effective IEPs
- Transition Planning for Students with IEP's – Great Schools.org discusses how teens can learn how to achieve their post-high school plans.
Post-Secondary
- More Than Just A Job: Person Centered Career Planning – University of Massachusetts Boston
Rights and Regulations
- Disabilities Law Program – A special project of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., designated by the Governor as a protection and advocacy agency for Delaware residents with physical or mental disabilities.
- ADA – U.S. Department of Justice's website for its project Civic Access.
- Disability Rights, Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) – A leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.
- Disability Resources – U.S. Department of Labor website with online access to services and information.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – U.S. Dept. of Education's IDEA resources.
- Parents Are The Key – Parent Information Center of Delaware, Inc. (PIC) manual on rights and responsibilities for parents of children with special education needs.
- Rights and Disputes
