Special Education
1. Case Selection Priorities (PADD, PAIMI and PAIR):
a) Priorities for Representation:
- Restraint and seclusion
- Suspension and Expulsion
- Transition
- Services in the least restrictive environment - cases where the student is segregated from (or is threatened to be segregated from) non-disabled peers for virtually the entire school day.)
b) Priorities for Technical Assistance:
- All other special education calls
2. Special Initiatives:
a. Serving Students with Disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (Funding from PAIR, PAIMI and PADD)
Goal: EFE will continue individual litigation and advocacy efforts to address concerns about the Illinois State Board of Education's oversight of the failure by school districts to serve students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
b. Latino Advocacy and Outreach Initiative (Primary funding from PADD and non-federal funders; funding from PADD, PAIMI, and PAIR for specific audiences or clients)
Goal: EFE will continue to enhance services to Latinos with disabilities in Illinois, with a focus on educational barriers, by providing bi-lingual self-advocacy training seminars, self-advocacy assistance, and representation in individual matters.
c. Illinois Accessible Information Technology (AIT) Project (Funding from Assistive Technology Program)
Goal: EFE will educate policymakers about the importance of procuring Accessible Information Technology in schools.
d. Develop fact sheets for individuals with disabilities and families on special education issues. (Funding from PADD and non-federal funders)
Goal: EFE will develop consumer friendly fact sheets to assist people to better understand their legal rights under special education laws.
e. Special Education Advocacy Clinic (Funding from PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, private and governmental funders)
Goal: If sufficient funding is secured, EFE will launch a Special Education Advocacy Clinc that would consolidate and provide comprehensive special education training, self-advocacy and legal advocacy services.
f. Qualified Sign Language Interpreters in Schools (Funding from PAIR)
Goal: EFE will explore ways to effectively address the severe shortage of qualified educational interpreters in schools.
g. Illinois Special Education Regulations (Funding from PADD)
Goal: EFE will educate people with disabilities and family members about their rights about the new finalized state and federal regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
h. Juvenile Justice/Special Education Initiative (Funding from PAIMI and Equal Justice Works)
Goal: EFE will advocate that children in the juvenile justice system receive needed special education and related services by representing them in the pre-adjudication phase, the post-adjudication phase, and upon return from residential placement.
i. Training Institute for Disability Rights (Primary funding from state and private funders with additional funding from PADD, PAIMI and PAIR)
Goal: Equip for Equality will provide disability rights trainings statewide to people with disabilities and their families, as well as professionals, attorneys and school personnel on special education issues.
