News & Events
Disability Rights - Enforcement Highlights from the U.S. Department of Education
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) protects the rights of persons with disabilities under two federal laws - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This report describes OCR's work in enforcing these laws and protecting the rights of students with disabilities. This link opens a PDF document.
Secretary Duncan, White House Officials, Join Disability Stakeholders on Anniversary of Key Civil Rights Law
Leaders from the disability community joined the Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education and White House officials to celebrate the anniversary of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973."Disability Rights: Enforcement Hightlights" was published to commemorate this anniversary.
Education Grants Awarded to Improve Training Systems to Help Children with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the award of $24 million in grants to 22 states to improve training systems to help children with disabilities. This grant program provides funds to help states reform and improve professional development in early intervention, education and transition services. Find information on specific grants and amounts of each reward.
University of Kansas Awarded Grant for National Center to Help Students with Disabilities Learn in Inclusive Settings
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $4.9 million grant to the University of Kansas to create a national center to help students with disabilities learn in an inclusive center with their peers who do not have disabilities. The Technical Assistance Center for Inclusive School-Wide Reform will share information with educators and other persons on research and practices in educating students with disabilities in regular school classes.
Vanderbilt University Awarded Grant for New Center on Developing Coursework for Students with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $1.5 million grant to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN to create a national center to develop coursework and teacher training materials to help students with disabilities. The National Center for Development of Coursework and Training Modules to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities will provide national resources for educators.
Education Department Awards Grants to Prepare Graduate Students for Leadership in Special Education
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $3.1 million in grants to institutions to prepare graduate students for leadership positions in special education and related services. The grants are to prepare doctoral and post-doctoral students to fill faculty positions in special education and early intervention. They will also train scholars to become supervisors of personnel providing direct services to infants and children with disabilities.
Scholarship Search Tool
Search more than 7,000 scholarships, fellowships, loans and other types of student financial aid. You can also filter your search results to find scholarships specifically for students with disabilities. For more information about this tool read the frequently asked questions.
New Survey Shows Need for More Public Education about Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities collected data from adults in the United States using an online survey in August 2012. This survey showed that there is a need for more education about the causes and treatments for learning disabilities, and a better understanding of workplace rights for people with learning disabilities. Over half of the respondents (55%) wrongly believe that corrective eyewear can treat certain learning disabilities.
Education Department Awards $9.8 Million for Centers for Parents of Students with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the award of more than $9.8 million in grants to 16 states to operate 25 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIC) for parents of students with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTIC that helps parents understand the services that their children are entitled to under the law. Find a parent center in your state.
disABLEDperson 2012 National Scholarship Competition - Deadline October 19
disABLEDperson, Inc. has announced its Fall 2012 scholarship competition for college students with disabilities. Applicants must write an essay with no more than 750 words answering a specific question. Entry deadline is October 19, 2012. Register online and paste your essay into the form. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited college or university in the U.S. and must be a full-time student and U.S. citizen.
Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) 50th Annual International Conference - February 13 - 16, 2013
The LDA's next annual conference will be held February 13 - 16, 2013 in San Antonio, TX. Parents, teachers, education policy advocates, adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, school administrators, researchers, medical and mental health professionals will all gain valuable knowledge and tools at this conference, including how LDA advocates and works to create new opportunities for children and adults with learning disabilities.
Funding Your Education: The 2012-13 Guide to Federal Student Aid
This guide for students has information about all the federal aid programs available for students planning to attend college. Page 6 of the guide has information specifically for students with intellectual disabilities. You'll find more information about federal student aid programs at www.studentaid.ed.gov. The guide opens a PDF document.
Department of Education Awards Over $5 Million to Special Education Parent Centers
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded more than $5 million in grants to operate 19 special education Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers in 13 states and Puerto Rico. PTI Centers help parents better understand their child’s disability, learn about appropriate early interventions and special education services, and provide the training and information they need to work with special education professionals. Find a parent center near you.
Public Invited to Help Build New Special Education Accountability System - Comments Accepted through Fall 2012
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is rethinking its accountability system to shift from a primary focus of compliance to one of results. The results-driven accountability (RDA) system will use resources to improve educational results and functional outcomes for children with disabilities. Through its RDA blog, OSEP will post new questions every two weeks where the public can answer, make comments and post ideas to help OSEP create this new system. The blog is open now through fall of 2012.