Our vision statement: Disability Rights California will change the system so it values diversity, culture and each individual

Links to other resources

Special education

  • Administrative Office of the Courts, Education Division - Direct links to the publications and online courses published for judges by the Publications and Resources Unit of the Education Division/CJER
  • Kids Data - Data for all counties, cities and school districts in California. Wide range of topics measuring the health and welfare of children - Child Safety, Demographics, Diesabilities, Special Health Care Needs, Education & Child Care, Emotional & Behavioral Health, Family Economics, Physical Health and Public Opinion. (11/19/09)
  • Turning Three Years Old: Transitioning from Early Start into the Pre-School Years, A Planning Workbook for Familnes - (pdf) WarmLine Family Resource Center
  • Protecting Students With Disabilities: Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities,- questions and answers from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (April 2009)
  • AchieveKids Kindergarten - a new class for children with autism in San Jose, to enable children with autism to acquire the skills necessary to transfer successfully to a first grade classroom in their community public school system. (3.a.)
  • Building the Legacy: A Training Cirriculum on IDEA 2004 - 19 modules, materials for each module include: a PowerPoint presentation for use in training, detailed background text and explanation for trainers, handouts for participants, and supplemental resources for trainers.
  • CADRE - Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education - encourages the use of mediation and other collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs.
  • California Association of Resource Specialists and Special Education Teachers - Information and support for resource specialists and special education teachers.
  • California Department of Education - The Core Purpose of the California Department of Education is to lead and support the continuous improvement of student achievement, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps.
  • California Department of Education Special Education Division - Information for parents, advocates, and educators.
  • California Department of Education Special Education Division's newsletter: The Special Edge - is a publication of the California Department of Education's Special Education Division. It is designed to inform and support parents, educators, and other service providers on special education topics, focusing on research-based practices, legislation, technical support, and current resources.
  • A Composite of Laws, the California Department of Education special education laws and regulations database
  • California Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities - topics include Advocacy 101, Parent as Expert, Special Education Law, Strategies, Getting Help, Yellow Pages, Success Stories.
  • The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund -  DREDF is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.
  • Extra Help - When Special Education Goes Too Easy on Students (pdf) - Parents say schools game system, let kids graduate without skills.
  • Steve Gold's Treasured Nuggets of Information - information on housing, medical assistance/medicaid, nursing homes, education, miscellaneous ADA information.
  • ISER - Internet Special Education Resources - is a nationwide directory that helps parents find local special education professionals and resources to help with assessment of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder, therapy, advocacy, and other special needs.
  • NICHCY - National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities - IDEA information, disability information, parent guides, student guides, transition guides, and more.
  • Northeast Technical Assistance Center (NETAC) Teacher Tipsheets - Deaf Culture (pdf), Relay Services (pdf), TTY (pdf).
  • OSERS - A web site designed to make it easier for families to find training materials and publications on education and services for individuals ages birth to 21.
  • PEER - Parents Engaged in Education Reform - A project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs - Parents Engaged in Education Reform (PEER) is a national technical assistance project funded by the U.S Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. It's purpose is to increase the participation of parents of children with disabilities and their organizations in school reform efforts.
  • Special Education News - timely news related to education students with disabilities. Also has resources for special education professionals, places for educators and others to exchange views, links to other Web sites. Special Ed. Newsline is published weekly and distributed via e-mail.
  • Special Education: A Parent's Guide to Children's Success (pdf) - a new book on special education advocacy for families by Michael T. Bailey, with an introduction by Curt Decker. IDEA and advocacy techniques, personal stories and real situations unique to raising children with disabilities.
  • Wrightslaw -  Information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
  • A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities (pdf) - from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) - the workbook may help youth with disabilities develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about disclosing their disability.
  • "Autism Today" - Sign up for e-mail delivery of news, resources for autism.
  • CLAS - Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services - Early Childhood Research Institute features technical reports on culturally & linguistically appropriate services, publications, and links to other organizations and services.
  • Family Friendly Fun - offers access to mind-, body- and spirit-enriching information to enhance the quality and enjoyment of life for families with special needs.
  • Impact: Feature Issue on Disaster Preparedness and People with Disabilities - from the Institute on Community Integration - strategies, stories and resources to help ensure that when the next disaster or emergency occurs, no one is left behind.
  • International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet (ICDRI) - books on disability issues, web site construction, usability, products.
  • Inside MS - features information on multiple sclerosis from the National MS Society.
  • Kids.Net.AU - Search engine just for kids, with more than 20,000 kid-safe links - arts, computers, entertainment, family, games, health, hobbies, news, people and society, pre-school, school , sports; a search on "disability" turned up a number of disability links.
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports - established by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education, to help schools identify, adapt, and sustain effective school-wide disciplinary practices.
  • Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic - Volunteers record rextbooks for people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability. Membership -1-800-221-4792 - is open to schools and individuals.
  • Universal Design & Visitability: From Accessibility to Zoning (pdf) - a 180-page e-book guide to everything you ever wanted to know about why access is important and how to make it happen, with examples from around the world. Also available in large print (pdf).