Technology: Becoming an Informed Consumer
The Center for Special Education Technology, The Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, Virginia.
The Building the Legacy / Construyendo el Legado training curriculum was produced by NICHCY
at the request of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education.
The curriculum is intended to help all those involved with children with disabilities to understand and
implement the IDEA 2004, the nation's special education law.
~Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
The TA Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been established by the Office
of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education to give schools capacity-building
information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining
effective school-wide disciplinary practices.
~Communicating with Your Child's School Through Letter Writing
Letters provide both you and the school with a record of ideas, concerns, and suggestions.
Putting your thoughts on paper gives you the opportunity to take as long as you need to:
State Your Concerns
Think Over What You've Written
Make Changes
~Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization
dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and
talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards,
provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and
helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
Disability.gov is an award-winning federal government website that provides an interactive,
community-driven information network of disability-related programs, services, laws and benefits.
Through the site, Americans with disabilities, their families, Veterans, educators, employers and
many others are connected to thousands of resources from federal, state and local government
agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations
The Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP) provides public education,
leadership development and training, technical assistance and information dissemination, and
conducts action-research and analysis of public policy issues affecting individuals
with disabilities and their families.
~District School Board of Collier County
Collier County Public Schools
Everglades City, Immokalee, Marco Island, and Naples Florida
~DREDF - Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, founded in 1979, is a leading
national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who
have children with disabilities.
~ERIC - Educational Resources Information Center
ERIC - the Education Resources Information Center - is an online digital library of education research
and information. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the
U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides ready access to education literature
to support the use of educational research and information to improve
practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.
~Exceptional Student Education
We hope this information is helpful and informative and will familiarize you with the
services and procedures of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in the Collier County Public Schools.
Collier County has 5,980 students with disabilities. If you do not find the
information that you are looking for, please contact us at 239-377-0130.
~Expanding Opportunities for Inclusion Children Birth to Five
Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that
support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family,
regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as
full members of families, communities, and society.
~Florida Center for Reading Research
The Florida Center for Reading Research was established in January, 2002. It is jointly administered at
Florida State University by the Learning Systems Institute and the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Center’s Four Part Mission:
•To conduct basic research on reading, reading growth, reading assessment, and reading instruction
that will contribute to the scientific knowledge of reading and benefit students in
Florida and throughout the nation.
•To disseminate information about research-based practices related to literacy instruction and assessment
for children in pre-school through 12th grade.
•To conduct applied research that will have an immediate impact on policy and
practices related to literacy instruction in Florida.
•To provide technical assistance to Florida’s schools and to the State Department of Education for
the improvement of literacy outcomes in students from pre-K through 12th grade.
~Florida Department of Education Clearinghouse Information Center
The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services administers programs for students
with disabilities and for gifted students. Additionally, the bureau coordinates student services
throughout the state and participates in multiple inter-agency efforts designed to strengthen the
quality and variety of services available to students with special needs.
~FDLRS - Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System - Local
Island Coast Serving Lee & Collier Counties
~FDLRS - Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System - State
FDLRS, pronounced fiddlers, is a statewide network of nineteen state and federally funded
associate centers and 4 specialized centers which provide support services to educators,
families of students with exceptionalities and/or, professionals, and community agencies
through-out Florida. FDLRS State Website
~Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
The Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services (Central Directory) has provided services to
thousands of families and providers seeking advocacy, education, training, resource
and referral, and information on disability services available in their communities.
~Florida's Family Care Councils
In 1993 the Florida State Legislature established the Family Care Council The Family care Council (FCC)
advises the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) on the needs of self-advocates and their families.
The mission of the Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) is to provide learning opportunities,
consultation, information and support to educators, parents, and community members
resulting in the inclusion of all students.
~Florida Response to Instruction/Intervention
The Florida Response to Intervention (RTI) website provides a central, comprehensive location
for Florida-specific information and resources that promote school wide practices to
ensure highest possible student achievement in both academic and behavioral pursuits.
School choice strengthens the availability, accessibility, and equity of educational options for parents to secure a
high quality education for their children. Positive outcomes take place when families have
educational options for their children. Parents have a right to make a choice for their child.
Florida leads the nation in providing its families with options.
Since 2000, the HEATH Resource Center has served as a national clearinghouse on
postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities,
~"ICE" Intractable Childhood Epilepsy Alliance
ICE Epilepsy Alliance is a member of the American Epilepsy Society’s Vision 20/20 Task Force,
a group of advocacy groups committed to improve the lives of patients with epilepsy.
IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw includes information about IDEA topics such as child find, eligibility, evaluations,
reevaluations, high stakes testing, IEPs, IEP teams, IEP meetings. accommodations, alternate assessments,
placements, transition, parental rights, and more.
Visit the IRIS Center for Training Enhancements for free online interactive resources that translate research
about the education of students with disabilities into practice. Our materials cover a wide variety of evidence-based
topics, including behavior, RTI, learning strategies, and progress monitoring.
~Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii
Parent Training & Information Center (PTI) for the state of Hawaii. It is our mission to
enhance education, work and life opportunities for children and youth with disabilities by
empowering them and their families through information, training and mentoring,
and by public outreach and advocacy.
~Lighthouse of Collier, Inc. - Center for Blindness & Vision Loss
As the only Center for Blindness and Vision Loss in Collier County, Lighthouse of Collier
needs to help the estimated 14,000 local children and adults be independent.
Official information Portal for the State of Florida
~NCLD - National Center for Learning Disabilities
NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning
disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates
for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities
~National Center on Response to Intervention
Response to intervention integrates assessment and intervention within a multi-level prevention system
to maximize student achievement and to reduce behavior problems.
~NCPC - National Coalition of Parent Centers
The National Coalition of Parent Centers is the only organization that solely
represents the interests of Parent Centers as authorized under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
~NEC - Naples Equestrian Challenge
Naples Equestrian Challenge (NEC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization offering therapeutic
riding for Collier County, Florida adults and children with disabilities.
~NICHCY - National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NICHCY's publications are all available here, for free, on our Web site. Our publications cover the
many topics related to children and youth with disabilities. We hope you find them helpful.
~National Institute of Mental Health
The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic
and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
~NRCLD - National Research Center on Learning Disabilities
NRCLD's goal is to help educators, policymakers, and parents understand the complexity
and importance of making sound decisions regarding whether a child has a specific learning disability.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as the No Child Left Behind Act).
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational
excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.We serve student populations
facing discrimination and the advocates and institutions promoting systemic solutions to civil rights problems.
An important responsibility is resolving complaints of discrimination.
~OSERS - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many
challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed
to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs
that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.
~Pacer Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
Founded in 1977, PACER Center was created by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other
parents and families facing similar challenges. Today, PACER Center expands opportunities and enhances the
quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families. PACER is staffed primarily by
parents of children with disabilities and works in coalition with 18 disability organizations.
Parent Centers, comprised of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent
Resource Centers (CPRCs), provide training and assistance to the families of the nation’s 7 million children
with disabilities. These are funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of
Special Education Programs (OSEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Every state has at least one PTI, and those with larger populations may have more. The CPRCs provide
services to underserved families in smaller geographic areas.
There are currently 106 Parent Centers in the United States.
People first language is used to speak appropriately and respectfully about an individual with a
disability. People first language emphasizes the person first not the disability.
For example, when referring to a person with a disability, refer to the person first
by using phrases such as: “a person who …”, “a person with …” or, “person who has…”
There are tons of advantages when it comes to getting your doctorate in education.
This degree brings the greatest possible employment opportunities. Learn ways to get started today.
~Questions & Answers on Least Restrictive Environment (LRA) Requirements of the IDEA
U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
The least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) have been included in the law in their present form since 1975. However, these
requirements continue to generate complex and interesting questions from the field. In particular,
questions have been raised about the relationship of IDEA's LRE requirements to "inclusion."
~Questions Often Asked by Parents About Special Education Services
When children are struggling in school, it’s important to find out why. It may be that a disability is
affecting your child’s educational performance. If so, your child may be eligible for special
education and related services that can help.
~Rushman Micah Angel Network Foundation
RMAF was created to help close the gap of accessibility, make learning engaging and
accessible through technology for special needs and at-risk youth.
The IEP must contain a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary
aids and services to be provided to the child, or on behalf of the child. We've split up the discussion of each of
these important elements, because there is so much to say about each. This article focuses on related services.
Our goal is to improve the quality of life & individual outcomes for persons with disabilities from cradle to grave.
This includes the following: Parents of Children with disabilities – birth through age 26;
Self-Advocates; Adults; Elders; People at risk & their families
The offices listed on NICHCY state sheets are primarily state-level offices. Even if an office is not close to your
home, they can usually put you in touch with resources in your community, as well as provide you with
information and assistance about disability issues in your state.
~Teaching Degrees in California
Online degree programs for those wishing to teach in California
~Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
The Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers (the ALLIANCE) is an innovative partnership of one
national and six regional parent technical assistance centers, each funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These seven projects comprise a unified technical assistance
system for the purpose of developing, assisting, and coordinating the over 100 Parent Training and Information
Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs).
TACTICS - Transition Action Communication Team Interagency Council Support
Transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a child
with a disability that is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused
on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability, and
to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities.
WaiverProvider.Com is a directory of medicaid waiver providers. We provide detailed information about
each provider including: services provided, areas covered, special skills, and experience.
You may ask the school to evaluate your child, or the school may ask you for permission to do an
evaluation. If the school thinks your child may have a disability and may need special education and
related services, the school must evaluate your child before providing your child with these services.
This evaluation is at no cost to you.
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