For over 20 years, I have worked for various types of organizations as a higher education administrator, consultant, and Quality Matters Peer Reviewer. Some of my responsibilities consisted of leading the instructional, design, development, delivery, and maintenance of all online courses. The purpose of this article is to present some of the…

Ideas and norms about disability shaped the experiences and careers of every teacher and prospective teacher in the Los Angeles public schools between 1930 and 1970. Medical doctors created and conducted the extensive medical examinations that teaching candidates and practicing teachers needed to pass to enter or remain in the classroom. The Los…

Students now live at a time of instant access to cell phones, tablets, or computers, which open the door to exciting new ways of connecting, interacting, and learning. However, these new modes of communication also present new challenges for parents. Not only do parents have to help children and youth navigate in-person social situations, they…

This article examines a critical question for the special education community: What should be the current meaning of "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) in light of not only the Supreme Court's landmark "Rowley" decision in 1982 but also developments in the 30 years since then? After synthesizing what the…

The extent to which educational institutions and their teachers in the USA, England, and Australia should bear legal responsibility in damages for ineffective classroom teaching is the subject of this article. At the heart of the controversy regarding educational malpractice is the issue of remedies. Federal and state courts in the USA have…

Examines the regulatory differences between three pieces of federal legislation that address facility accessibility: the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Discusses why these differences are important for school officials to understand. (GR)

Both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are intended to promote the removal of the physical barriers that deny individuals with disabilities access to educational programs and activities. Addresses the relationship between the ADA and Section 504 along with the responsibilities of…

This brochure addresses federal laws, regulations, and litigation that dictate how colleges and universities must accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. Emphasis is on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504. A summary of the laws' definitions of "handicap" or…

This document presents basic information and materials on eligibility and service options for students with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. An introduction notes that the three main…

This memorandum to school administrators and other program directors in New York State summarizes guidelines regarding the rights of students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its relation to Article 89 of New York's Education Law and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specific…