Special Needs Alliance’s Post

 Exciting News for Higher Education Accessibility! Great strides towards inclusivity as the Department for Further and Higher Education announces the rollout of 10 new courses for students with intellectual disabilities in the upcoming academic year!   These programs, spanning 10 colleges nationwide, mark a significant step towards providing equal opportunities for all learners. In addition, a fund of €1.8 million will support the creation of sensory maps on college campuses, aiding autistic learners, and implement antiracism measures to combat discrimination against Traveller and Roma communities. With about 150 students expected to enroll in the first year, these one to two-year courses will offer tailored support and financial assistance. Minister Simon Harris emphasizes the importance of inclusion, stating, "Today we send a message that these learners can and must take their place among our college communities." Let's celebrate this milestone towards a more accessible and equitable higher education system!   #InclusiveEducation #HigherEdAccess #EqualityForAll

This article really hammers home several necessary points that need to be delved into more within high schools as well as higher education.   https://lnkd.in/gVf49kUZ

The most popular Think College publication has just been updated for 2024! Get the most up-to-date information on college scholarships for students with intellectual disability here: https://buff.ly/48ngx7n #ThinkCollege #InclusiveHigherEd #ChangingExpectations #IncreasingOpportunities

National Special Education Day, observed on December 2nd, commemorates the first federal special education law enacted following the landmark 1971 Mills v. Board of Education court case. This Mills case ruled the denial of publicly funded education to children with disabilities as unlawful, leading to the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which in 1990 evolved into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In the K-12 education system, IDEA ensures that eligible students with disabilities have access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment, and it requires the creation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student. When students enter postsecondary education, the protections offered by IDEA shift to those provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Unlike IDEA, which provides individualized support and modification to ensure success, ADA and Section 504 focus on ensuring access and prohibiting discrimination. Students with learning disabilities must select colleges that align with their academic goals and provide the requisite support services, accommodations, and inclusive environments to facilitate their learning needs and ensure their success throughout their educational journey. By applying wisely, building confidence, and getting it right, I help students on their journey to college admission success. Contact me here: https://lnkd.in/dC2U-wQ #kscollegesuccess #collegeprep #collegeadmissions #collegeapplications #college #collegecounseling #seniors2024 #classof2024 #classof2025 #seniors2025 #njmom #njmoms

Oklahoma passes the ‘Oklahoma Access and Achievement Act’ with the goal to make higher education more accessible to everyone. Read here: https://lnkd.in/efG3uy2P #inclusionmatters #educationforall #idd #oklahoma #intellectualdisabilities #developmentaldisabilities

Virginia lawmakers will soon put forth a bill to overhaul the state's system of special education, according to Del. Carrie Coyner and Sen. Barbara Favola in a recent column in The Richmond Times-Dispatch. This particular bill will be one to watch this session, and a potential model for other states. The authors emphasize the need to ensure instructional quality for all children, not just legal compliance. This is a critical distinction that will provide students with disabilities access to the rigorous, rich grade-level learning they deserve and stop the endless and harmful cycle of segregated learning and remediation. https://lnkd.in/epr_7KdE

As educators, we hold the belief that college is inclusive of all learners, including those with disabilities, as highlighted in the video shared below. While we acknowledge and support this principle, there's a discrepancy in the classroom environment's ability to truly reflect this inclusive ethos and adequately accommodate students with diverse needs. The question arises: Are students with disabilities better served in the general education setting compared to specialized classrooms tailored for their needs?

The number of students in special education has increased steadily in the last four decades. Take a look at this guide to common special education terms.

In partial fulfillment of my Masters in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky, I completed a video essay on the topic "Access to Arts Education in Youth." The essay can be viewed at the link below. https://lnkd.in/eg9aF6tP The topic of arts education in youth is an important one, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on academic performance, critical thinking skills, and overall well-being. It is crucial that we continue to prioritize and invest in access to arts education for all young people. In this video I discuss topics including: age, school board/state/national policy, income, race and ethnicity, culture, and gender. Sources are cited in the YouTube description. Give it a watch! #artsadministration #arteducation #equityandjustice #publicschoolsystem