The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) of the U.S. Department of Education has a series of topic briefs regarding the IDEA Improvement Act of 2004. Part B is relevant for ages 3 to 21 and Part C is for ages birth throu

Disability support and advocacy organizations that are participating in rescue or relief operations, and seeking donations or support for victims of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina has caught up families of children with disabilities and health conditions in the devastation and they need our support to survive; Hurricane Rita may result in similar destruction along the Gulf coast of Texas.

Landlords and neighbors sometimes discriminate against families who have children with developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions, physical disabilities or other special needs. Whether parents take a stand against prejudice or walk away from it, haters can be motivators for advocacy.

Making a transition into homeschooling from public or private school can find parents questioning their instincts and ability to educate and encourage their own children´s interests and build back their self esteem

Parents who homeschool their children with special needs report improvements in academic gains, independence and interdependence, as well as improved socialization, self discipline and greater self confidence.

High school homecoming stories about students with Down syndrome being elected king or queen are still rare enough to be newsworthy but it is much more common than ever before that students with DS are involved in Homecoming activities as they grow up included and supported in neighborhood schools.

Home accessibility, adaptability and visitability for children with special needs means they can visit friends in their neighborhood and extended family in their own communities.

When a child is injured and needs a walker or wheelchair to help him get around in his own home, families discover how thoughtless design works to create challenges that the mobility equipment was invented to overcome.

There are many reasons that winter holiday stress complicates the lives of families of children with disabilities, developmental delays or chronic health conditions. There are more reasons to dwell on the joy and let the stress take a holiday.