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).
- Tarheel Reader – A growing library of free, online, accessible, beginning level readers for students of all ages.
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 Family Voices – Supporting families and children with special needs.
- Delaware Office of the Child Advocate – Delaware Court System resource for advocates.
- Delaware Parent Teacher Association (DPTA) – Every child. One voice.
- 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.
- Governor's Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens – The Council provides leadership to improve the lives of exceptional citizens of all ages.
- 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.
- National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) – NSTTAC provides technical assistance (TA) and disseminates information to state education agencies, local education authorities, schools, and other stakeholders to implement and scale up evidence-based practices leading to improved academic and functional achievement for students with disabilities.
- Office of Civil Rights – U.S. Dept. of Education website, protect students, file a complaint, and get civil rights data.
- 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.
- Parent Information Center of Delaware (PIC) – This organization gives parents and caregivers of children with disabilities or special needs easy access to quality, useful and relevant information along with training and resources to advance a child's developmental and educational outcome.
- 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.
- Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) – Loans and demos of assistive devices. Defines assistive technology.
- Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) – A resource that supports organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities providing them with information on assistive and instructional technologies.
- Infinite Potential through Assistive Technology – Adaptive technology for artists.
- 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
- Discipline of Students with Disabilities Guide – Delaware Community Legal Aid Society Inc. helps students and parents understand what should and should not be done and where to get help if you need assistance.
Education Options & Skilled Childcare
- First State School (Skilled Childcare) – First State School gives children and adolescents who would otherwise be homebound with serious illnesses the chance to attend school with their peers.
- 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.
- John S. Charlton Program – Provides a cohesive, positive, rigorous, and safe learning environment in which students are challenged with standards based, individualized, learning focused activities, and daily living skills training in order for them to become successful, valued, and meaningful participants in our community.
- Sussex Consortium of Cape Henlopen School District – A public school program serving special needs students from Sussex County, Delaware. The school serves over 140 students through its Intensive Learning Center (ILC) classrooms, its program for the Hard of Hearing and Profoundly Deaf, and the Sussex County chapter of the Delaware Autism Program.
- 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
- Educational Supports for Students – Delaware Department of Education steps to obtaining specialized services or educational supports for your child.
- Essential Elements of Delaware's IEP/Transition Plan – Delaware Dept. of Education IEP steps
- IEP Forms and Resources – Delaware Dept. of Education resources
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) – Delaware's Dept. of Education.
- Student Driven IEP: A 10-Step Guide – Delaware Dept. of Education
- Tips & Tricks for Getting Effective IEPs
- Transition-Driven IEP Process – Delaware Dept. of Education steps for transition including, post-secondary, PLEP, graduation planning, and annual goals.
- 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
- Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) – Assisting people with disabilities to go to work.
- From Entitlement to Eligibility – A guide to show you the differences in services between public and postsecondary education.
- Guidance and Career Counselors Toolkit – This 192 page resource contains answers to counselors' most frequently asked questions about postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities.
- Hiram G. Andrews Center: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services – The Hiram G. Andrews Center provides a comprehensive program of services featuring the integration of education on campus at the Commonwealth Technical Institute, counseling, evaluation and physical restoration in a barrier-free environment. The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services unit, under the direction of a vocational rehabilitation manager, includes a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and certified interpreters.
- More Than Just A Job: Person Centered Career Planning – University of Massachusetts Boston
- Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) – Offers postsecondary options for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Programs serve those who desire more than a high school diploma but are not qualified for traditional postsecondary education programs.
- University of Delaware (UD) Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) – Enhancing the lives of individuals and families through education, prevention, service and research related to disabilities. We promote independence and productivity so individuals and families can fully participate in the life of their communities in Delaware and beyond.
Rights and Regulations
- Delaware Code 925 Children and Disabilities & IEP – Part of Title 14 Education, Section 900 Special Populations of the Delaware Code
- 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.
- Middle School & High School Rights – Information and resources about educational rights from the Disabilities Law Program.
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) – Dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
- Parents Are The Key – Parent Information Center of Delaware, Inc. (PIC) manual on rights and responsibilities for parents of children with special education needs.
- Higher Education Rights – An online seminar about postsecondary education rights from the Disability Law Program.