Wrightslaw

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. 

http://www.wrightslaw.com/ 

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth

 
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is the voice and social conscience for the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. NAEHCY accomplishes this through advocacy, partnerships, and education.

http://www.naehcy.org /

Disabilities In Higher Education - Going to College as a Disabled Student

By Lisa Evans

Going to university can be a lot more complicated for disabled students than many people realize. The worries which affect every college age person are present, but added to that are disability specific concerns. Will they be able to cope independently, given their special needs? Will they be able to find a university which caters to their disability? Will they be able to afford the added costs associated with their disability on top of student fees and everything else? It’s a daunting set of considerations, which undoubtedly contribute to the sadly low proportion of disabled students in American universities. However, it is perfectly possible to live a full and enriching college life and obtain a good university education if you have a disability – there is legislation in place to ensure this, alongside a lot of goodwill and effort on the part of the institutions themselves. Gratifyingly, the number of disabled students pursuing higher education is rising, and with any luck that number could continue to rise if more students research their options and go confidently into their future, armed with knowledge and ready to fulfill their potential.

Legislative Requirements

Universities are required by law to make efforts to accommodate disabled students. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects the civil rights of those with disabilities, forbids disability-based discrimination, and states that government funded educational institutions must make ‘reasonable’ accommodations for all students who are qualified to study there, regardless of their physicality. The Americans With Disabilities Act takes this a step further, and orders all institutions to make these ‘reasonable’ alterations to aid the learning experience of disabled students, whether or not they receive federal funds. The aim is to ensure that disabled students have an equal opportunity to make the most of their time at college without the practical considerations of their disability disrupting their education.

Loose Definitions

However, the ADA – while strenuously recommending disability-friendly alterations – also states that this need not be done if it is not ‘Readily Achievable’. In practice, the definitions of ‘Reasonable’ and ‘Readily achievable’ can vary widely. An alteration may be deemed ‘Not readily achievable’ if it is perceived to come at too great a cost to the institution – either financially or administratively, and some places seem less prepared to find ‘Readily Achievable’ solutions than others. It is therefore best to research a place thoroughly for its practical as well as academic suitability before settling on a course.

Finding The Right College

As it is generally in the best interests of colleges to ensure that all of their students are getting the best possible learning experience, many make special efforts to ensure that adequate accommodation is made for disabled students. However, some campuses are more disability friendly than others. Finding a truly disabled-friendly institution is more complex than it sounds. In order for a disabled person to truly know how they will cope in an environment, they need to experience it in considerably more depth than is generally offered on open days and guided tours. While lecture theatres and libraries may be highly accessible, with ramps, hearing loops and so on, studying is only one part of college life. Students have to be able to live happily on campus, able to engage in the social life and activities around them without being excluded on account of disability. If student accommodation is not adequate or appropriate, and if recreational and social areas such as canteens are not geared towards the requirements of a disabled student, then it may be that this university is not for them.

Personal Research

A good way to establish what day to day life is like for disabled students is to contact disabled students already studying at the institution. Many universities will have a student disabilities representative who will be happy to be contacted and answer queries, although it must be remembered that these will often speak in the best interests of the university. Nonetheless, they can also put people in touch with other, perhaps less biased students who will be able to give an honest assessment of the place’s suitability. Rather than writing off institutions out of hand for a lack of current disabled access, prospective students should contact those responsible for administering disabled policy within the university. These will be able to provide more specific information upon the topic, and it may transpire that the university will be eager to help meet the student’s needs. Most will be open to negotiation upon the matter. Disability departments for many major universities can be found here.

Finances and Scholarships

Living independently for the first time is a challenge for many students – but for those with a physical disability it may seem more daunting than for most. Although they will no doubt have already identified their own particular set of needs, putting a personal infrastructure in place to deal with these adds an entirely new dimension to the issues every young student already faces when setting up on their own. Not least of their considerations are the extra costs required for them to live their lives effectively. Having a disability can place a great strain on student finances with added costs mounting up at a time never particularly pecunious for anyone. While universities are required to provide enhanced equipment and resources, such as large-print hand outs or modified desks, they will not provide personal aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids and so forth. These the student is responsible for obtaining. Health insurance premiums, as such, may be more expensive, and the items themselves (if purchased without insurance) often cost exorbitant amounts. Even if this is not the case, specific dietary requirements or clothing may come at prohibitive cost. However, many colleges are aware of this and offer disability scholarships or other forms of financial aid to students who may need it. It is certainly worth thoroughly researching the options before deciding that university is just too expensive – as some institutions may offer unexpected avenues for people with certain disabilities.

Self-Advocacy

If, after selecting a university and beginning their studies, a student feels that they are being seriously affected by a lack of accommodation for their disability, they will have to undertake the daunting task of requesting change themselves. This can be a steep learning curve, but an important one, as self-advocacy is a skill which will stand anyone with a disability in good stead throughout their life. All disabled students would do well to familiarize themselves with the policy of their chosen university regarding students with disabilities.

Negotiation

However, it is also important to remember that the specific needs of one person cannot be allowed to adversely affect the education of the rest of the class. Should a photo phobic student, for example, request that the lights be dimmed during lectures, the rest of the class would be disadvantaged through having to squint at their notes. Such a request would be turned down, and the decision upheld if protested. Rather than taking this latter point to heart and – as many disabled people unfortunately do – suffering in silence rather than risk bothering anyone, it is instead a good idea to learn some basic negotiation skills. Most institutions have the best interests of their students at heart and will wish to help, but may not be able to provide a perfectly tailored environment due to financial and practical considerations. Rather, therefore, than holding out for the ideal solution, it may be better to calmly agree to work with the university authorities in finding another solution which will work for everyone concerned.

Compromise and Insistence

Disabled students should not have to compromise their right to a good educational experience, but there are often ways and means beyond that which at first seems obvious. Many universities are more than willing to negotiate and provide all manner of accommodations to get around seemingly unsolvable problems. If they do not, however, and their stance seems both unreasonable and likely to seriously affect the education of a disabled student, the student may wish to refer to the law. There are fail safes in place to protect and defend the rights of disabled students, and, for the benefit of all, disabled students should not be afraid to fight for their rights.

The Right To Education

There is no need in this day and age for anyone’s disability to prohibit their access to a good university education. A little research and adequate preparation can ensure that disabled students choose an institution which is perfect for them, and thoroughly enjoy their college years as much as any of their peers. Everyone has the right to the education they are qualified for, and physical differences should be no barrier at all to learning. 

LOCKS OF LOVE

LOCKS OF LOVE -
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

http://www.locksoflove.org 

Scholarships for childhood cancer survivors

College scholarships for childhood cancer survivors.

http://www.ped-onc.org/scholarships/index.html

Office of Child Care (OCC)

The Office of Child Care (OCC) supports low-income working families by providing access to affordable, high-quality early care and afterschool programs. OCC administers the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and works with state, territory and tribal governments to provide support for children and their families juggling work schedules and struggling to find child care programs that will fit their needs and that will prepare children to succeed in school. 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ

Please don't forget to visit children's disability .org

Open Enrollment for Medicare

Open Enrollment (and to change plans) is Oct 15, 2013 to  Dec 7, 2013
http://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you/whats-new/whats-new.html

THE CHANDA PLAN FOUNDATION

Improving the quality of life for persons with physical disabilities through education and programs to access integrative therapies. Our programs give persons with disabilities a service that can improve their overall health & participation in life by providing access to acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, cranial sacral and adaptive yoga. The ultimate aim is to help persons with disabilities heal with their whole body.
http://www.thechandaplanfoundation.org/ 

HHS Secretary Wants ObamaCare for Illegals Through Citizenship

Ok, so here I am reading the internet news and sipping on a diet cola (yep I know it's bad for me but I need my daily vice). I come across an article on how the Sec of Health and Human Services wants undocumented individuals to receive healthcare, you know Medicaid, Medicare...that sort of healthcare. At about that time I choked on the diet cola sending carbonation up my nose (not feeling good about carbonation up the nose!!!).

I'm not getting it. I worked YEARS pumping my money into the SSA system, paying taxes to help the healthcare, EMS, and other infrastructure systems but I get hammered on healthcare costs. The puzzle isn't fitting together anymore. HHS Secretary Wants ObamaCare for Illegals Through Citizenship

Tests Show Most Store Honey Isn’t Honey

I've been on sort of a kick lately. I've been trying to embrace nature. Now I'm not tree hugging (not that there's anything wrong with that) or bird watching but making a consorted effort eat better and use natural ingredients more often. Honey is one of my latest and greatest efforts. Come to find out though that not all honey was created equally or purified equally or for that matter...even honey {{gasp}}. Here's an interesting read on the subject of honey. Tests Show Most Store Honey Isn’t Honey

Traveling and Disability: What You Should Know

by Lisa Evans

The social model of disability asserts that “disability” is not due to the medical circumstances of an individual but rather it is a result of society. Society disables people because it is constructed in a way which prevents people with disabilities from properly accessing society. If our social environments were made more accessible then the limits placed upon people with impairments would be incredibly reduced and as such they would become less disabled. The social nature of disability can appear most prevalent in the area of travel. Many modes of transport are not designed with passengers with disabilities in mind and accessible accommodation can often come with a premium charge. Thankfully there are a variety of organizations, such as charities, where help can be found.

Travel insurance

People with disabilities are often more susceptible to illness when traveling. It is important that you check your health insurance before taking any vacations as you may find that you are not covered if you leave the state or the country. Normal travel insurance, such as that offered with package holidays and cruises, will not cover pre-existing conditions. When taking out insurance you will need to consider the ‘look back period’, this is a period of time prior to taking out the insurance in which your health must have remained stable. This can vary from between 60 to 180 days, although 90 is the most common. An illness can be considered to be pre-existent for a variety of reasons, but the general rule is that if it is an illness for which you would have had symptoms during the lookback period which would have caused most people to visit a physician then the condition will be thought of as pre-existing. Clearly many people with disabilities will fall into the category of having pre-existing conditions. Many insurance companies will automatically exclude people with pre-existing conditions from taking out travel insurance. There are options for people seeking a policy which waives pre-existing conditions, however, you must be prepared to pay a premium which, depending upon your personal health and the various insurance firms, can become incredibly expensive and so it is best to shop around.

Cruises

In 2001 a lawsuit brought by the disability rights campaign group Access Now, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), led to the company Carnival Cruise agreeing to make ‘substantial changes’ to their ships to make them more accessible to people with disabilities. Following on from this Access Now went on to take out lawsuits against various cruise companies. This was hailed as a success as it meant that people with disabilities could fully partake in cruising whilst maintaining their independence. The Federal Register announced an amendment to the ADA stating that guidelines will be implemented so that ‘vessels are readily accessible to and usable by passengers with disabilities’. This new access has opened up the world of cruising to people with disabilities but there are still numerous issues to consider before taking your trip, such as the accessibility of excursions and the manner in which the boat will be tendered at its varying locations.

Following the sinking of the Italian ship the Costa Concordia, in which passengers with disabilities died after being abandoned, many cruise companies have become more stringent in demanding that people with disabilities travel with an able bodied companion. If you do not have an able bodied person who can travel with you, you can arrange, at your own expense to have a travel companion escort you on your vacation. This entails paying for an additional ticket and for the charge of the companion, so it can be financially restrictive, yet it can also offer a lifeline to those who have no other options. Another expense people with disabilities should consider is the need to pay for a larger cabin; P&O and their sister company Cunard angered passengers with disabilities when they implemented a new policy in the spring of 2013 stating that passengers who use wheelchairs and scooters must book cabins large enough to keep their aids in their rooms rather than keeping them in gangways. Other cruise companies have similar policies. It is possible to book accessible rooms with little to no extra expense these can be very limited and so it is necessary to book as early as possible to avoid having to pay much higher costs for larger cabins or suites.

Accessibility

There are a variety of options for people with disabilities when choosing a vacation. This can include home exchanges with people with similar needs. This ensures that whilst visiting another part of the world you are still provided with all of the disability aids and access you need for your particular disability. There are numerous companies and charities offering specialized vacations for people with disabilities and additional needs. These organizations ensure that there is little that people with disabilities cannot do when it comes to their choice of vacation. There are even companies specializing in providing people with disabilities with accessible African safaris and, for the adventurous, companies offering rafting and kayaking activities. For those seeking a less white knuckle vacation the Handicapped Travel Club run rallies and meets, and provide information for those seeking to modify RVs so that they are accessible for people with disabilities. If you choose a foreign vacation it is wise to register your trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free government run program and helps to ensure that if you require emergency assistance whilst traveling abroad that help can be made available sooner.

This is not to say that all is rosy. There are still many barriers for people with disabilities when traveling. This can include inadequate access to hotel rooms, transport and restaurants; little information about accessibility to attractions; inadequate provision of accessible, adapted toilets; and the poor training of customs staff when dealing with aids and prosthetic. These barriers are surmountable though and with the right support and a little research people with disabilities should now be able to enjoy the same travel privileges as those without disabilities.