Parent Guide for Students with Disabilities
This guide is developed by The Arc of Louisiana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Our mission is to empower individuals who have disabilities and their families to achieve advancements in inclusion, education, employment, and public policy through advocacy in Louisiana. We promote and protect the human rights of people with disabilities, actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lives.
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For over 70 years, The Arc of Louisiana has been a trusted resource for families, providing advocacy, support, and education to empower individuals with disabilities to live to their fullest potential. We are proud to serve as a grassroots organization with over 10,000 members affiliated through 21 local chapters across the state. The Arc has been a driving force behind IDEA since its passage in 1975, which mandates that schools provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities, including those with IDD.
About the Guide
This guide has been written for parents of children aged 3-22 who have disabilities and are currently in school, receiving special education services. It aims to support you in navigating the special education system, understanding your child’s rights, and accessing the resources and services available to them. Whether you’re seeking information on the eligibility and evaluation process, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), placement process, accommodations, transition services, or Alternative Promotion and Graduation Pathways (April Dunn Act), to name a few, this guide is here to assist you every step of the way.
Our goal is to help you better understand how the special education process is carried out in Louisiana public schools, including charter schools. There will be information about important timelines and what is required during each step of the process, including the importance of your participation and your role in your student’s education, as well as your role in developing your student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). There will also be important information about school policies and the requirements for schools when providing special education services to students with disabilities.
We hope you find this guide useful and encourage you to contact The Arc should you need assistance.