Legal Aid Society Publishes New Series of Special Education Brochures
New brochures outline special education rights and responsibilities of parents and schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 5, 2011 — The Legal Aid Society, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Defenders Office Juvenile Division’s Kids’ Rights Project, Arc of Davidson County and Nashville Prevention Partnership, has released a new series of brochures for parents of children who get or need special education services.
The series encompasses eight brochures that tell parents how to place a child in a special education program and how to work with schools to set up the right program. Topics include:
Testing for Special Education
- Who Can Get Special Education?
- Can’t Get Special Education? A 504 Plan May Help
- Does Your Child Get in Trouble at School?
- What is an IEP?
- Writing an IEP
- Your Rights as the Parent of a Child in Special Education
- If You and the School Disagree
“Our goal in publishing these brochures, and all of our self-help guides, is to make the law accessible to the general public,” said Bev Adcock, community educator for the Legal Aid Society. “Special education provides extra help for children with disabilities in school and we want to help parents understand how they can work with the school to get the right help for their child. Parents aren’t always aware of what they need to do or ask, and these brochures cover important topics to teach parents what the law is concerning special education.”
The free brochures are available online at www.las.org and can be printed upon request by contacting Bev Adcock at 615.780.7107 or bev.adcock@las.org. For large print quantities, contact Beth Cruz, Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office at 615.880.3710 or bethcruz@jis.nashville.org.
The Cal Turner Family Foundation has provided the Legal Aid Society with support to increase parent understanding of special education. The Legal Aid Society gives free civil legal aid to people who have nowhere else to turn. It serves 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge, and Tullahoma. The Legal Aid Society is funded in part by United Way.