On May 22, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5658, the Defense
Authorization Act, by a vote of 384-23. The bill included an amendment introduced
by Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) that would increase the current cost-share
program limit for dependant children of military personnel who have been diagnosed
with autism.
For current updates and summaries from inital Oral Argument to Supreme Court Decision
(special ed law and advocacy - Wrightslaw
By a vote of 4-4, the Supreme Court today upheld the Second Circuit Court
decision in the case of Board of Education of City of New York v. Tom F., 06-637,
thereby affirming parents' statutory right to challenge a school district's IEP
without first “trying out” the school district's proposed placement.
Governor Eliot Spitzer signed “Burden of Proof” legislation (A-3583) on August 15,
reinstating the longstanding New York practice of having school districts bear the
burden of proof during special ed hearings.
The Building the Legacy training curriculum is a product of the National
Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY), produced at the
request of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Dept. of
Education. This resource includes powerpoint presentations on the following:
Theme A: top 10 basics of special education and the key changes in the law
Theme B: How IDEA aligns with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and
emphasizes general education Highly Qualified Teachers New!
Theme C: What IDEA requires when children are evaluated to determine if they
have a disability
Theme D: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Theme E: Procedural Safeguards (Key information for Parents)
additional protections Introduction to Procedural Safeguards New!
Combating Autism Act
Senate Sub-committee approves full funding for "Combating Autism Act"
Special Education Law
New York State wants to restrict your rights under the special education law.
Read proposed restrictions! New York State proposes changes to special
education law: Advocates for Children, the parent organization of Insideschools,
is urging parents of children with special needs to tell your state representatives
that you want them to protect your rights. New York State is proposing changes
to special education law that would include letting schools change your child's
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) without a meeting and cutting the time
period a parent has to file an impartial hearing in half. To stop New York State from
making it even harder for students with special needs to receive a free appropriate
public education, send a letter opposing these changes by June 20.
Advocates for Children will collect all letters and forward them to the state.
In addition, Advocates for Children encourages parents of general education
students to support the rights of special education students and their parents.
You can call your state representative and tell them that you want the state to
protect parents’ rights. Please see the summary of changes for more information.
South Carolina Legislature Overrides Veto to Pass
Autism Insurance Law
By unanimous votes in both the House and Senate today, South Carolina
lawmakers overrode Governor Mark Sanford's veto to pass legislation that
requires health insurers to cover services for children with autism up to age 16.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2008.
Landmark Autism Legislation
Bill Mandates That Private Insurers Provide Coverage for Early Intervention
Services and Therapies for Individuals with Autism - The bill, introduced by
House Speaker Dennis O'Brien and co-sponsored by Senator Jane Orie,
would create a new “Autism Spectrum Disorders Coverage” provision of the
Pennsylvania insurance law.
Latest Major Action: 3/1/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar
U.S. Senate Designates April “National Autism Awareness Month”
The resolution reflects the Senate's recognition of the autism epidemic, noting
the CDC's new prevalence statistic of 1 in 150, and a commitment to raising
awareness within the general public.
President Bush Releases FY 2008 Budget
"Devastating to Disability Community"
Critical autism and disability programs are underfunded. Special education
programs are also significantly shortchanged in the proposed budget.
This legislation would require health insurance companies to cover mental
illnesses at the same level as they cover physical illnesses.
