Friday, July 24, 2009

Florida: Career and Technical Education for Students with Disabilities

Career and Technical Education for Students with Disabilities


Career Education for Students with Special Needs
Division of Workforce Education
Department of Education, Turlington Building
325 W. Gaines Street, Room 701
Tallahassee FL 32399-0400
(850) 245-9022



Jane.Silveria@fldoe.org

Florida: School To Work Transition Services

School To Work Transition Services
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Education
2002 Old Saint Augustine Road, Building A
Tallahassee FL 32301
(850) 245-3360



Kirk.Hall@vr.fldoe.org
www.rehabworks.org

Florida:Coordinator for Transition Services

Coordinator for Transition Services


Project 10: Transition Education Network
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
140 7th Avenue South, SVB 112 (mailing address)
529 First Street South (physical address)

St. Petersburg FL 33701
(727) 873-4661
(727) 873-4660 (Fax)



project10.info

Florida: State Department of Education: Special Education

Official State Web Site


Connect with your state's official website to find all manner of state agencies and information, including how to contact your governor and/or your representatives in the Senate and House:






www.flgov.com

State Department of Education: Special Education


Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 614
Tallahassee FL 32399-0400
(850) 245-0475



bambi.lockman@fldoe.org
www.fldoe.org/ese

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Washington, D.C. 20202
September 2007

More and more high school students with disabilities are planning to continue their education in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools, two- and four- year colleges, and universities. As a student with a disability, you need to be well informed about your rights and responsibilities as well as the responsibilities postsecondary schools have toward you. Being well informed will help ensure you have a full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary education experience without confusion or delay.

The information in this pamphlet, provided by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

OCR enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II), which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Practically every school district and postsecondary school in the United States is subject to one or both of these laws, which have similar requirements.*/

Although both school districts and postsecondary schools must comply with these same laws, the responsibilities of postsecondary schools are significantly different from those of school districts.

Moreover, you will have responsibilities as a postsecondary student that you do not have as a high school student. OCR strongly encourages you to know your responsibilities and those of postsecondary schools under Section 504 and Title II. Doing so will improve your opportunity to succeed as you enter postsecondary education.

The following questions and answers provide more specific information to help you succeed.
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Thursday, July 23, 2009

How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights

How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights

Introduction

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces five federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, nation­al origin, sex, disability and age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education (ED). Discrimination on the bases of race, color and national origin is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities, whether or not they receive federal financial assistance); and age discrimination is prohibited by the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

These civil rights laws extend to all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries and museums that receive federal financial assistance from ED. Programs or activities that receive ED funds must provide aids, benefits or services in a nondiscriminatory manner. Such aids, benefits or services may include, but are not limited to, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline, classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical education, athletics, housing and employment.
....(continued)