Culturally and linguistically diverse families present schools with unique challenges related to eligibility and programming for special education. There has been a dearth in the literature for this population, especially from a legal standpoint. Existing literature has offered scarce information to address the legal rights and responsibilities of…

Several recent documents and presentations, most but not all from the British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Education, suggest that considerable changes are being floated as options for redesigning inclusive educational approaches in the BC K-12 public education system. The documents include: (1) "The BC Education Plan"; (2) "Global…

Bringing service animals into schools raises serious questions about how to meet one student's special needs while ensuring the educational well-being of all. This article discusses how schools grapple with the practical and legal questions involved in allowing service dogs on campus. The author cites a case in 2009 called "Kalbfleisch v. Columbia…

This paper examines the use of the Disability Discrimination Act (Commonwealth of Australia, 1992) by parents seeking access for their deaf children to native sign language in the classroom. It reviews a number of cases in which Australian parents have claimed indirect discrimination by educational authorities over their children's lack of access…

Five legal questions are discussed in the conflict between the move to institute minimum competency testing (MCT) for students and the effort to protect the educational rights of handicapped children. The threshold question is whether handicapped children should be subject to the same MCT requirements as the non-handicapped. (PS)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the amendments of 1974 seek to end discrimination against the handicapped by denying federal aid to any activity that excludes them. An overview of the regulations implementing the Act is presented, their ramifications are discussed, and cases decided under the Act are examined. (JMD)

In June 1979 the United States Supreme Court issued a civil rights opinion about handicap discrimination. A summary of the ruling is provided along with an effort to distinguish between those questions addressed and resolved by the Court and those discussed but not disposed of. (Author/MLW)

When confronted with a student with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), administrators must act very cautiously. In addition to the public relations and political problems asociated with students with AIDS, administrators are faced with the legal implications of their decisions; their actions, if uninformed, can result in monetary…

Presents a historical overview of state and federal legislation concerning special education, describes how court litigation has defined the constitutional rights of the disabled to access education, and outlines the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The procedural safeguards of the IDEA also are outlined,…

Argues against the Supreme Court's overturning of lower court decisions in support of a deaf child's right to a classroom interpreter. Reproaches the majority opinion for ignoring "a clear legislative mandate" from the federal government to provide handicapped children with educational opportunities equal to those provided nonhandicapped…

This manual reviews 1998's most significant developments in disability laws applying to colleges and universities. It addresses disability discrimination issues, problems, and cases, and provides guidance on creating effective compliance programs. Behaviors and emotions are identified that create and exacerbate compliance problems, and strategies…

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the basis for a deaf student's successful suit against a private college for failure to provide funds for an interpreter. Implications for private colleges and an argument for the unconstitutionality of the law as applied to private postsecondary institutions are discussed. (AF)

Designed to assist charter school developers and operators, this question-and-answer publication provides general information that covers a broad range of federal civil rights issues related to public charter schools. Sections of the document discuss: (1) the growth of public charter schools and federal agencies that oversee charter schools; (2)…