Scouring the web for info on special education? Here's a list of sites to check out
I'm constantly using the web to find information, and if you are using / reading Squidoo lenses, you probably are too. Special education is a huge topic, and there is so much information out there about various disabilities, advocacy strategies, laws and interpretations of the law, parents' rights, therapies and programs, research, interventions, treatment, schools, and so on and so on. It can all seem overwhelming. Here are some of the websites I find helpful, and I will try to refresh this lens with new sites whenever possible. I hope you find this useful in your search for information...
Websites with comprehensive information
These websites are "go-to" places with comprehensive information regarding special education, advocacy, laws, parents rights, etc. While they may seem a little overwhelming because of the amount of content, trust me - these are the best starting places if you are a parents, advocate, teacher, etc new to special education!
- Wrightslaw
- Includes articles, a blog, books and other resources to purchase, content of special education laws, links to other sites, etc.
- A Guide to the IEP
- This is the Department of Education's publication "A Guide to the Individualized Education Program." It is a very useful resource, especially for parents!
Websites about specific disabilities
These websites are also comprehensive resources, but are focused on a specific disability.
- Autism Society
- This is the webpage for the Autism Society of America, which has resources and information related to Autism Spectrum Disorders, treatment, therapies, research, and other programs.
- Autism Speaks
- The website for Autism Speaks provides information about community events and conferences, fundraisers, research programs, treatment, etc to the community. In particular, check out the link at the top that says "Be Informed" for concise, reader-friendly information related to Autism.
- Learning Disabilities Association of America
- LDA's website provides information regarding learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and attention deficit disorder. You can also find information regarding community events, local support groups and trainings for parents, conferences, resources, etc.
- International Dyslexia Association
- The International Dyslexia Association promotes literacy programs and interventions for students with dyslexia. The website provides very useful information regarding reading programs and learning disabilities.
- United Cerebral Palsy
- In addition to comprehensive information and resources specific to cerebral palsy, UCP provides advocacy information and support, as well as resources, to promote the rights of persons with any disability.
- Down Syndrome Online
- This is a great website for information about Down Syndrome, including resources, articles, research papers and other publications.
Connect with a Community - Online
There are many organizations with extensive websites, and many groups even have discussion boards or email listserves available for their members. This can be a great way to connect with people who share your concerns and experiences, and to obtain feedback, advice and input from the community.
Organizations to Check Out
Here are some websites for other organizations that you may want to check out. Many of these are membership organizations that provide support and resources to their members. All of them provide information that would be useful for anyone in the special education community.
- Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
- Membership organization of parents of students with disabilities, and special education advocates and attorneys. Provides a directory of members to the community, resources for advocacy, training, and an annual national conference.
- California Association for Parent-Child Advocacy
- California's membership organization of attorneys and advocates who represent students with disabilities.
- Women's Organization of Special Education Professionals
- Professional membership organization in Southern California, comprised of attorneys, advocates, psychologists, behaviorists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and many other providers. Website has a resource directory available to the public.
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- A national cross-disability membership organization, focused on being a "voice" for the disability community through advocacy and policy initiatives.
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- A national membership organization with active local chapters that provide resources, support groups and assistance to persons with ADD/ADHD and their families.
- Council for Exceptional Children
- A professional membership organization that provides publications, resources, and conferences related to students who are "exceptional" either because of disability or gifts/talents.
- Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
- A civil rights center that provides advocacy, education, training, resources, and legislative policy initiatives geared towards the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities.
- The ARC of the United States
- A community based organization of and for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
- A membership organization that consists of other organizations, uniting together to be a larger voice for the disability community.
Teachers, Administrators, Psychologists, and Other Professionals
Here are some organizations for teachers, psychologists, and other professionals. For the professionals, these organizations can provide membership benefits and supports. For parents, advocates, etc, there are often useful resources, policy papers, and information to help you understand the profession / service.
- American Speech-Hearing Association
- Professional membership organization for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
- National Association of School Psychologists
- Professional membership organization that provides standards of practice for school psychologists.
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- membership organization for OTs, providing professional support and guidelines.
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Provides professional development and resources for PTs
- American Therapuetic Recreation Association
- Membership organization for Recreational Therapists (RT)
- National Association of Special Education Teachers
- Organization that provides resources and professional development opportunities for special education teachers
- National Association of State Directors of Special Education
- Membership organization for special education directors.
Tip - Search a Teacher's Credential
Want to find out what credential your child's / your client's teacher holds and what that credential means? In most states, you can do this online. First google "your state + teacher credential search". From there, you can use a form to put in the teacher's name and find the credential.
Training for Advocates, Attorneys and Parents
Special education laws and policies are complex! We all need to keep up with training and keep current on the trends in the cases, research, etc. Here are some places to check out for training opportunities:
- COPAA's Annual Conference
- Each year, COPAA convenes a national conference for parents, advocates and attorneys. In addition to general sessions, case law updates, and breakout sessions on specific topics, the conference provides more intensive "pre-conference skills training" programs that are geared towards specific audiences. There are skills-trainings for new attorneys, more experienced attorneys, advocates, parents, etc.
- COPAA Ongoing Trainings
- COPAA also provides other training opportunities, including webinars on specific topics.
- The Advocacy Institute
- The Advocacy Institute provides ongoing training utilizing webinar format, specifically geared to special education advocates. Their trainings are on a variety of important topics and are sure to keep advocates well-informed.
- Wrightslaw Trainings
- Wrightslaw presents training opportunities, seminars, and talks in various locations throughout the year.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Special Education Resources
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/10/2009) 
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/10/2009)
Creating a Win-Win IEP for Students with Autism: A How-To Manual for Parents and Educators
Amazon Price: $29.71 (as of 12/10/2009)
Understanding Autism For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness))
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/10/2009)
Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level
Amazon Price: $9.90 (as of 12/10/2009)
Amazon Search
Tired of Staring at the Computer Screen?
Browse your local bookstore or library for resources on special education and disabilities. In bookstores, information on these subjects is usually found near the "parenting" section, "psychology" books, or "education" section.
Special Education on Twitter
There are many twitterers out there who tweet about special education, disabilities, advocacy, etc. Check it out on twitter at twitter.com (and follow me at twitter.com/cdwatts).
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- DrNichcy
- RT @RTIcenter: Harvard Education Letter on #RTI http://ow.ly/JwFt #education #specialed
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- autismfamily
- Unfortunately, many parents feel compelled to spend more time on homework than on social skills #autism #aspergers #specialed #asd
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- SLCD25
- Parents, We're here to help. Have a question? Just ask! #autism #specialed
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- StephenBoese
- RT @6Oct: Why aren't parents of kids with exceptional learning needs more politically active? http://tinyurl.com/yzwbtmh, #LD, #SpecialED
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- adevries
- #specialed Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities - Youth Achievement Award: 2010 Smart Kids Youth Achievement Award... http://bit.ly/60yf4U
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- FrAnKiCakaPinKy
- RT @adevries: #specialed Reading practice improves part of brain that's critical 4 learning: .. http://bit.ly/5pKaXD
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- adevries
- #specialed Reading practice improves part of brain that's critical for learning: Students who practice reading can ... http://bit.ly/5pKaXD
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- peterflom
- RT @6Oct: Why aren't parents of kids with exceptional learning needs more politically active? http://tinyurl.com/yzwbtmh, #LD, #SpecialED
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- 6oct
- Why aren't parents of kids with exceptional learning needs more politically active? http://tinyurl.com/yzwbtmh, #LD, #SpecialED
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- rlanzara
- RT @RTIcenter: NY school district sees #RTI as "a philosophy about teaching rather than a program." http://ow.ly/KChY #education #specialed
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- adevries
- #specialed 'Day Of The Special Educator' Recognized In California: Special educators throughout the state of Califo... http://bit.ly/6yaSYj
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- jmcnichol
- RT@egolfer6 50 best blogs for #SpecialEd: http://bit.ly/76F7Vj. I'm #25. Others listed @teachntech00 @csouthard @irasocol @karenjan @Lontee
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- cglimpsetadnet
- RT @NHSCatAIR: RT @DrNICHCY NICHCY's Special #Education & #Disability Search engine VIDEO TOUR 4 min.: http://ow.ly/Jvoc #specialed #ta&d
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- TechnologyInEd
- RT @RTIcenter: NY school district sees #RTI as "a philosophy about teaching rather than a program." http://ow.ly/KChY #education #specialed
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automatically generated by Twitter
Twitter Storm: Special Education Websites
Here's what my twitter followers think about great resources on the web:
What websites do you find useful, informative and comprehensive re: special education? Post here
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Want to start twittering about special education?
To find other twitter-users who tweet about special education topics, check out www.wefollow.com and put in "specialeducation" as a search term. You'll find a list of popular twitter users who talk about special education, listed in order based on who has the most followers.
My Tweets re: Special Education and Advocacy
- aka Twitter
- 0 followers
- 0 following
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- RT @dysTalk: Interesting new research on how background noise in the classroom has a big impact on dyslexics: http://tinyurl.com/yctzcgs
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- RT @abaexpert: RT @WellspringABA Make a difference! Walk Now for Autism in Irvine & Santa Barbara http://tinyurl.com/ydm6wpt
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- RT @RTIcenter: A Parent's Guide to Response to Intervention (#RtI) http://bit.ly/3C4mWW #education #specialed
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- Reading this interesting article: Misconceptions: Inside The Disabled Child http://bit.ly/1e0Ezj via @AddToAny
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- RT @healingautism: Research: Making #Inclusion Work: #Autism Spectrum #Australia’s Satellite Class Project http://bit.ly/2V1X8R #ASD #IEP
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- RT @calisue: Ideas about planning, organizing & executive function http://tinyurl.com/yk6ojyd #autism #aspergers #specialed
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- RT @Autism_Today: Wisconsin: Special Needs Girl Scout Troop Rejects Autistic 8 Year-old Girl. #autism #spectrum #health http://ow.ly/BpiM
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- RT @calisue: Future independence? #Autism and transition: http://tinyurl.com/r4sj6a #aspergers #specialed
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- interesting - RT @TechnologyInEd: RT @RTIcenter: School psychologist talks about #RTI http://ow.ly/B2AJ #education #specialed
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- RT @childrensrights New rpt on OK child welfare: treatment of kids in foster care "immoral" We're fighting to change that http://is.gd/4SSRw
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Special Education and Disability Rights Blog
This blog is written by me and a colleague. We try to post a few times per week and provide our readers with a lot of content related to special education, rights and responsibilities under the IDEA, resources for parents, advocacy strategies, etc.
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by cdwatts
Hello world. I am an Associate @ A2Z Educational Advocates, in Los Angeles, California; and a speaker & blogger re: special education issues. I'm als... (more)
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