Social Justice Resources for Students with Disabilities

There are 3 major federal laws which protect the rights of students with disabilities: IDEA, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Which Laws Do What?

Central hub of information provided by the U.S. DOE with access to the policy documentation and regulations regarding IDEA, State contact information, and other resources for families and educators.

US DOE IDEA

FAQs

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. 

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services - OSEP

The NCCSD is a federally-funded national center with a Clearinghouse of information and resources for future and current college students with disabilities. 

Often a disability is but one facet of a person's identity, and when this facet is coupled with another (e.g., race, gender, sexuality) there are unique experiences and challenges a person may face. The NCCSD has compiled a list of resources that focus on these intersections of disabilities.

Intersectionality of Identities with Disability

Sometimes referred to as "The Nation's Report Card" the NAEP provides a common measure of student achievement which helps to inform policies regarding education improvements.

Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and English Learners

This hub possesses great resources for caretakers trying to figure how to navigate the education system. There are tips on how to ensure a universally accessible classroom on the site. 

Recommended Practices for early childhood professional working with young children with disabilities  

Outcomes Measurement for practitioners whose states use the Child Outcomes Summary Process 

Brings together resources for school personnel interested in reducing negative targeted behaviors and teaching positive social behaviors

Modules designed to help practitioners learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring evidence-based practices with learners from birth to 22 years of age with Autism Spectrum Disorder 

SWIFT Field Guide - resources to help school teams get started with equity-based inclusion, an educational system that has the infrastructure and practices in place to provide academic and behavioral supports to improve outcomes for all students and that values every student as a member of the neighborhood school, including those with the most extensive support needs

The IRIS Center develops and disseminates free, engaging online resources about evidence-based practices and interventions to support the education of and improve outcomes for all students, especially those with disabilities and struggling learners. These resources are designed to bridge the research-to-practice gap.

The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities, CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. 

CAST is a nonprofit education and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning. 

The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. 

As a leader in the field of disability inclusion training, KIT has developed a library of best-in-class inclusion resources to help ensure all children are included, regardless of ability.  

Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. They publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles — and always from the disabled perspective. The Disability in Kidlit Honor Roll is a list of young adult and middle grade novels they enthusiastically recommend. All titles have been thoroughly vetted by disabled readers. 

The journal of the Society for Disability Studies (SDS) is a multidisciplinary and international journal of interest to social scientists, scholars in the humanities and arts, disability rights advocates, and others concerned with the issues of people with disabilities. 

DSQ Homepage

Learning Disabilities Association of America's technical publication oriented toward professionals in the field of learning disabilities. 

LDA LD Journal Homepage

Rao, K., & Meo, G. (2016). Using Universal Design for Learning to Design Standards-Based Lessons. SAGE Open, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016680688