This booklet has been developed in hopes that it may aid in keeping communication open and focused between families and schools. Building communication between parents and the school staff through letters offers a way of keeping records of ideas, concerns, and suggestions. This booklet provides general guidelines to writing letters as well as…

This article provides a multipart analysis of the public schools' responsibility for students with concussions. The first part provides the prevailing diagnostic definitions of concussions and postconcussive syndrome. The second and central part provides (a) the legal framework of the two overlapping federal laws--the Individuals with Disabilities…

This booklet has been developed in hopes that it may aid in keeping communication open and focused between families and schools. Building communication between parents and the school staff through letters offers a way of keeping records of ideas, concerns, and suggestions. This booklet provides general guidelines to writing letters as well as…

This article explores the legal implications for U.S. higher education administrators who make admissions decisions regarding students with disabilities. A review of federal legislation, case law, and government agency rulings pertaining to higher education admissions and students with disabilities informs administrators of current law.…

Research demonstrates that students with disabilities are harassed more than their nondisabled peers. Students with disabilities who have been severely harassed have argued that they are not receiving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as required by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) reports that approximately 0.2% of all persons under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This represents 186,300 children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes has traditionally been a disease of children and adolescents. Although type 2 diabetes has in the past…

The Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) does the following: (1) Clarifies the relationship between bullying and discriminatory harassment under the civil rights laws enforced by the Department of Education's (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR); (2) Explains how student misconduct that falls under an anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities…

In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create…

Because of federal legislation and entitlement programs, increasing numbers of medically fragile and/or technologically assisted children attend public schools. Addresses the legal obligations of schools to provide the technology and the impact of assistive technology on current special education programming. (MLF)

Discusses the importance of personnel policies covering AIDS (and other communicable diseases) and presents relevant employee guidelines developed by teacher unions and school districts. Three insets offer additional Center for Disease Control guidelines, day-to-day considerations when working with AIDS employees, and available publications…

The history, provisions, and impact on universities of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) are examined. It is concluded that the ADA will not break new ground for higher education and that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will remain the main avenue by which disabled obtain access to universities. (MSE)

This overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 notes differences between this law and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The procedural requirements that Section 504 imposes on teachers and principals are outlined, and issues concerning the possible coverage of children with attention deficit disorder are discussed.…

This article provides an overview of the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both civil rights laws that require schools to provide eligible students with equal access to a free, appropriate education and to extracurricular activities. Actions schools can take to ensure…

The history of the formulation of Section 504 and its interpretation are reviewed briefly. It is concluded that the 1979 Supreme Court ruling in Southeastern Community College v Davis interfered with the law's ability to solve the problem. (Journal availability: Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, KS 66621, $3.00.) (MSE)

Legal protections for individuals with learning disabilities are considered through a review of the qualification requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Differences between IDEA and Section 504 are examined, along with decisions from…