Education Issues Key Links
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Postsecondary Education
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education provides a website with information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The website includes information about the law, data and reporting, and resources for parents, educators, and students. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/data/
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Reauthorized in 2004, and amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015, the IDEA establishes a free appropriate public education for eligible children with disabilities and ensures those children have access to special education services. Text: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statuteregulations/
Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Students; Policy Guidance
Issued June 8, 2000
Text version: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2000-06-08/html/00-14485.htm
PDF version: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2000-06-08/pdf/00-14485.pdf
Protecting Students with Disabilities: Frequently Asked Questions about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities
The requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, in the area of elementary and secondary education.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html?exp=0
Questions and Answers on Disability Discrimination under Section 504 and Title II
The main difference between the two laws is that one applies to the recipients of grants from the federal government (Section 504) and the other applies only to public entities (Title II). A school or college may be both a recipient of Federal funds from the US Department of Education and also a public entity under the Americans with Disability Act. In such cases, the institution is covered by both laws.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-disability.html
Student Placement in Elementary and Secondary Schools and Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
This publication explains Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how they affect student placement in elementary and secondary schools. It also explains evaluation and placement procedures, the educational setting, reevaluations, the individualized education program, procedural safeguards, and nonacademic services and activities.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/placpub.html
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
This pamphlet contains information for high school students with disabilities who plan to continue their education in postsecondary schools.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (March 2007).
This document provides high school educators with answers to questions students with disabilities may have as they prepare to move to the postsecondary education environment.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html
The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Code No. 22) (1995).
This pamphlet answers questions about the civil rights of students with hidden disabilities and the responsibilities of ED recipients.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq5269.html
Office for Civil Rights: About OCR; Programs/Initiatives; Know Your Rights; Office Contacts; Prevention; Reports & Resources; Reading Room; News; Questions and Answers
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html?src=oc
OCR Electronic Complaint Form
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html
How the Office for Civil Rights Handles Complaints
OCR evaluates each complaint to determine whether resolution is possible. For example, OCR must decide whether OCR has legal authority to handle the complaint, whether the complaint was filed on time, and whether a court or another agency has already made a decision on the matter. www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaints-how.html
Questions and answers on OCR's complaint process
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-complaints.html
Case Resolution and Investigation Manual
The Office for Civil Rights' (OCR) core mission as a law enforcement agency is to ensure that recipients of federal funds do not engage in discriminatory conduct. The Case Resolution and Investigation Manual (CRIM) provides OCR with the procedures to promptly and effectively investigate and resolve complaints against recipients allegedly engaging in discriminatory practices.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ocrcrm.html
Postsecondary Education
Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA. (1998).
This pamphlet reviews the obligations of higher education institutions to serve students with disabilities. This pamphlet also includes answers to questions commonly asked by students and representatives of postsecondary institutions.
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/auxaids.html
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/tb-accessibility.pdf
NIMAS National Instructional Materials Access Standard Frequently Asked Questions
nimas.cast.org/about/faq/index.html
National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC)
The NIMAC is a central repository that will contain NIMAS files. It will have an automated system for allowing publishers to deposit NIMAS files within the repository.
http://www.nimac.us/teachers-faq