by JoAnn Collins
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Disability Deception is an accurate up to date book--no special education law changes since its release in 2007.
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Self Publishing.com printed an article that I wrote entitled: "10 Things I Learned Self Publishing my First Book!" Be sure and check it out at: www.selfpublishing.com. Different for me not to be talking about special education :)
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Testimonial from a parent who lives in California: "This book says what most special education lawyers and advocates will not."
From a Neuropsychologist in Illinois: "Truly enjoyed the book, loved it! Am passing it around to parents for them to read."
Contact Information: JoAnn Collins PO Box 89 Bradley Il. 60915 Send E mail to JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com
comments that I would like to share:
"I am excited about reading your
book and am so impressed--inspired--strengthened by your encouraging brave spirit. . .speaking TRUTHS about the lies and deceptions of the school system's bureacratic bullying!" Loved this one too --especially the part about bureacratic bullying!
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Advocacy Services Available for parents who need help with their child's education!
New Year 2012 special: Be sure and Check Out Advocacy Services offered on the Advocacy Services page of this Website! Also check out the Advocacy testimonial from an
from an Illinois parent!
Many of the services can be done by E mail, fax and phone! Finally get the help you need as you advocate for your child!
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Blog to discuss special education issues with me. To find the blog please go to: http://specialeducationspotlight.disabilitydeception.com
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Last Chance to get a copy of Disability Deception before Volume two comes out in several months.
Great Discount!!! Take advantage of this awesome book filled with lots of info for all parents of children with disabilities!
$5.00 plus shipping--less than $10.00 for an advocacy book you will use over and over!
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This is a letter I sent to the Illinois Board of Education when I found an egregious error in the Illinois Parent Guide for Special Education.
DebKunz ISTAC Parent Consultant Illinois State Board of Education 100 North First St. Springfield Il. 62777
March 2, 2012
Dear Deb:
I was recently given a full copy of the “Educational Rights and Responsibilities” document that you put together for parents in Illinois. I knew about the document when it came out, but did not have the ability to print a complete copy. I wrote the ISBE and asked for a written copy, and I was told that they were not giving written copies to parents that asked. A parent who lives close to Springfield gave me a completed copy, because she had several. I think it is terrible that the ISBE would go to the trouble of developing the parent guide, and then not be willing to give written copies to parents who need them; though this is not the reason for my letter today.
This letter is to notify you of an egregious error on your part, and the part of everyone involved in putting together this parent guide. The reason I am knowledgeable about this error is because I have written and published a book on special education, and will be writing and publishing another book at the end of this year.
The egregious error is on page 142 where it states: “However, if you want the will need to make your request before any testing is done.” This statement is not consistent with IDEA 2004.
Below is the information on the subject that I will be including in my next book:
“IDEA 2004 and IEE’s at public expense IEE’s at public expense are covered in IDEA 2004 under the Procedural Safeguards Heading. IDEA 2004 300.502 (a)(1) states: “The parents of a child with a disability have the right under this part to obtain an independent educational evaluation of the child. . .” The key word in this sentence is the word “obtain;” it does not state that the parent has the right to “ask”(or request) an independent educational evaluation, but they have the right to seek one and then ask for school district reimbursement.
Pre notification to School Districts before getting IEE at public expense
Many school districts state that parents must pre notify them or seek preapproval before seeking an IEE at public expense. There is no requirement in federal law that states that a parent must notify the school district before obtaining an IEE at public expense. In the OSEP policy letter to Sapperstone in 1994 it states “. . . there is no requirement that a parent receive approval from the public agency prior to obtaining the IEE.”
In OSEP’s policy letter to Gramm 1990 it also states: “While it is reasonable for a public agency to require that it be notified prior to the parent’s obtaining an IEE at public expense, a public agency may not fail to pay for an IEE if a parent does not notify the public agency that an IEE is being sought.”
Some school districts throughout the country are trying to make pre notification a criteria, for reimbursement for an IEE at public expense; but this requirement is in opposition to Federal law, Case law, and OSEP’s policies, in my opinion. Many parents have stood up to special education personnel in this area and have been reimbursed for the IEE at public expense, despite no pre notification.
Case Law on the subject:
- Hudson vs. Wilson 1987 ruled that a parent may receive reimbursement for an IEE at public expense, even if they did not notify the school district of their disagreement with the schools evaluation.
- In 1999 the Third Circuit Court (Warren G. vs. Cumberland County School District) also ruled that the parent’s failure to express disagreement with the district’s evaluation prior to obtaining their own IEE did not preclude reimbursement.”
I think that you can see that IDEA 2004, OSEP policy letters, and Caselaw has made it very clear that parents have the right to obtain an IEE at public expense, and not just request one. It really upsets me that parents throughout Illinois will be looking to this document for guidance, and they are being told information that does not comply with Federal Special Education Law.
I have known many parents who have not pre notified schools about IEE’s at public expense until finished, and the report is available for them to look at; and they have had the cost of the IEE reimbursed. I realize that this letter will probably end up in the trash, but I will be attaching my copy of the letter to the appropriate section of the parent guide, so that I can share with other parents in Illinois the correct information that is documented in IDEA 2004.
It saddens me that the ISBE cannot even comply with Federal law, when it comes to documents that they put out! I will be sharing this letter with others who may have future influence on special education in Illinois, and the ISBE!
JoAnnCollins Bradley Il. 60915
Cc: Andrew Eulass Illinois Legislators Dr. Christopher A. Koch (Head of the ISBE)
Parent, Special education advocate for 20+ years and Author of “Disability Deception Subtitle: Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game!” My next book will be: “Disability Deception Volume 2 Subtitle: Ten Step Roadmap, to Ensuring Your Special Education Child Receives an Appropriate Education!”
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The Office of Civil Rights which is part of the US Department of Education has decided to expand its scope of reach to school districts. They are doing this by opening 74 compliance reviews in states, school districts and higher education institutions.
OCR is examining graduation rates at community colleges for the first time in its history!!! Other areas of review are: do students have equal access to college prepatory curriculum, advance courses and other advanced opportunites.
Another issue OCR is investigating is the disproportionate use of discipline agains minority students. Since this has been a huge problem across the states I am excited by OCR's decision to investigate this issue.
Rarely does OCR do anything to help students with disabilities so this is exciting!
No mention of what school districts are being reviewed.
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Restraint and Seclusion bill introduced in the US Senate by Senator Tom Harkin--SB 2020 "The Keeping All Students Safe Act!"
This bill will:
1. Ban all seclusion of children.
2. Prohibit physical restraint except for emergencies, when there is an immediate threat of serous bodily injury (not just because a child is not complying).
3. Require schools to use less restrictive measures before attempting restraint.
4. Requires restraint to end when emergency ends.
5. Bans the use of mechanical restraints such as Rifton Chairs, or taping or tying children to furniture. Also bans chemical restraints.
6. Bans restraints that impair breathing or threaten life!!
7. Bans restraints that prevent children from communicating (using PECS or sign language).
8. Requires schools to notify parents in writing within 24 hours of using restrainsts.
9. Prohibits placing physical restraints in a child's IEP or safety plan as a planned intervention.
10. Applies to all students in publin school. Also applies to students in private school that are at district expense.
JoAnn--This bill is fantastic and I think would go a long way in protecting children with disabilities. I would like to see though language that requires the use of positive behavioral interventions--this would solve a lot of children's problems.
Though PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) have been around a long time schools still refuse or fight the use of them. They are the only research based way to deal with a child's negative behavior!
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Brand new 2011 testimonials:
1. "I was so into the book, that I kept reading until I finished it at 4:00 in the morning! Great book!"
2. "Some books on special education are too confusing, but this one was easy to understand and gave great advocacy tips."
3. "Loved the stories! Gave me hope that if the author can do it (advocate for her children) so can I!"
4. "This book should be read by every parent that has a child with special needs--awesome!
JoAnn--thanks for all these testimonials!
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from an Illinois parent!
Many of the services can be done by E mail, fax and phone! Finally get the help you need as you advocate for your child!
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Testimonial: "I took your sug-
gestions and even used a tape recorder at my son's IEP meeting. The meeting was very polite while we went through every detail of my son's needs! They gave us everything that we felt our child needed! Thanks so much for your help!" Parent
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New Testimonial
"If you are facing special ed-
ucation for the first time a good book to read is Disability Deception! This book is a great
readers digest of introductory
information about special
education. This book will also
guide you to other important
resources."
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Feedback on Amazon:
"I would recommend this book to anyone with a child in special education. It was very helpful and easy to read. There are many useful links and sample etters in this book! I say A+"
"Quality as promised, definitely recommend!"
"Wonderful service and the
book is great. Thank You!"
Parent from my county in Illinois: "Book is good. Great
for parents of young children!"
Testimonial: "I purchased
Disability Deception, which is
now my bible! It has been a
wonder for me. When times are
getting tough I reach out for your book and its like a big bear hug- Thank You x!"
Testimonial: " Beware---Only
For People Who Respect The
Truth! Thank You! Thank You!"
"Thank You! I have had this book in my possession now for a couple of months, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Not having a lot of knowledge on how the education department,
teachers, and schools in
general conduct themselves at IEP meetings, this book has become my new bible! . . . It's easy to read,understand and
has a plethera of information
that any parent cannot do
without. . . I would recommend this book to everyone! I only wish that your book and yourself was more exposed. . . The most honest and useful book I have read in a
long time." LZ Georgia
"This book may be the most
practical guide ever compiled for parents who's child needs
special education services.. The book is Disability
Deception by Bradley's JoAnn Collins. Collins is the mother of two grown children with
developmental disabilities who had to navigate through the public education system. Collins is a ferocious advocate for getting the proper services for children in need. . .
The knowledge behind the book was gathered the hard way. Collins is a veteran of hundreds of Individual Education Plan meetings or IEPs as they are called, are required for the placement of any child in special education . . . The book
has a tremendous amount of positives:
1. There are sample letters that parents can write, demanding their rights from school districts . . .
2. There's a glossary of acronymbs. But if you've ever been befuddled by edu-talk babble, the book is a plus.
3. There's a great list of Web sites in the back. . .
Although not an attorney, Collins has some pretty clear advice on dealing
with meetings. In fact its pretty good advice in a lot of situations. Get things in writing. Don't get
rattled or lose your cool. Bring someone with you. Insist on your rights. Tape record the meetings. Come with organized notes. Read all the material.
- Phil Angelo from the newspaper the "Daily Journal"
New testimonial: "Thank you for teaching me about behavior and the importance of paying attention to what is happening with your child."
"It is by far the best book I have ever read during my seven-year collection of information process. So many of my questions were answered in this book. Wow!"
-Parent, Texas
"Disability Deception is superb, up-to-date, highly detailed, readily-understandable. Ms. Collins has written a handbook every special education parent needs to read. An experienced and effective advocate, the author gives a step-by-step walk through of all the necessary, highly complicated procedures for obtaining legitimate services. A call to arms, Disability Deception, is required reading. Don't hesitate, buy it."
-DH, from California
"Disability Deception, what a treasure. There are so many good resources and legal information. It reads in a very understandable narrative."
-Frustrated Special Ed Teacher
"I am so glad that someone
finally wrote a book about lies associated with special
education. Great"
-Parent from Illinois
"Ms. Collins isn't a lawyer but
an extremely knowledgable
person from the trenches. A
must-read for any parent with a special-needs child."
-Attorney from Tennessee
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I love to get E mails about how you used Disability Deception to help your child get a specific service, or to ensure that your child gets a free appropriate public education (FAPE)!
Below are listed a few that I have received:
1. New--"Well I must admit--your book is the very best advocacy tool I have
ever seen!! I read it cover to cover in 2 days, ear marking the pages, and then highligted reference materials until my ink went dry! But now I am
completely lost because someone
borrowed my book, and I do not know where my beloved Bible is at present.
I need to order another copy! "
Trish Luberda, CSEC (Name used with permission). Thank You so much!!
2. New--"Thank you for the phenomenal book! I haven't read a book with a
highlighter in hand since college, but I wanted to make sure that I had the book with me for my upcoming
IEP meeting. I just told my special needs parent support group members that they are welcome to borrow the book, but they really need their own copy!"
3. "I was able to get special
education personnel to provide services for my son by using an advocacy tip that I learned in
Disability Deception! Thank You
JoAnn!"
4. "I went to my son's IEP meeting armed with information that I can use that I learned from Disability Deception!"
"Disability Deception has very good points that are extremely useful. It
was helpful at our last IEP meeting to get services that my child needed."
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Free E newsletter available!
New Testimony about newsletter: "Thank you for the informative newsletter!"
The Special Education Spotlight which shines the spotlight on truths and deceptions in special education is put out on the First of every month. The E newsletter contains:
1. JoAnn's Corner which gives me the opportunity to discuss important special education issues that parents are
experiencing.
2. Special Education Deception of the month which discusses a different deception every month and gives advocacy information on how to overcome
the deception.
3. Disability and Special Education News that discusses up to date cases and news that parents of children with disabilities are interested in. Any new legislation related to special education also discussed.
4. Resources that will help you as a parent advocate for an appropriate education for your child with autism or another disability.
For more information about the Special Education Spotlight click the E newsletter page above.
To receive the newsletter: Send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com.
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