Selena is a 24-year-old young woman who happens to have autism and an intellectual disability. Because of her disabilities, she has a Person/Family Directed Support Waiver and Medical Assistance. Selena has worked for 6 years as a part-time employee at a print shop in Camp Hill, PA. She is interested in getting a full time […]
Your child is growing up and it is time to talk about moving from Preschool to Kindergarten or First grade! New skills to learn, friends, and teachers are waiting for your child and family. “What do these experiences look like? What should we expect? What is next?” These are important questions that will engage you […]
Tired of the winter chill yet? Take a minute to fast forward to that warm summer sun, because now is the time to start thinking about how you want to spend your summer! Those months when you are out of school are a great opportunity to build skills and experience. Whether it is paid or […]
This article was originally published February 2018 and updated January 2020. What is ESY? Extended School Year services, or ESY, are special education and related services, such as therapies, provided to a child with a disability when the school or preschool program is not normally in session, for example, during summer or holiday breaks. Some […]
by Barbara E. Ransom, Esq., Civil Rights Attorney It is important to remember that before 1975, school districts were not legally required to educate all students with disabilities. Since the passage of Public Law 94-142 (today known as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA), key Court decisions have added clarity to how IDEA is […]
So how does one come to being a self-advocate? Meet Katie Smith, PEAL’s Youth Leadership Coordinator who coaches youth and young adults towards becoming their own best advocate and live the lives that they create for themselves. Here’s Katie’s story… Hey there! I’m Katie Smith, I work with youth and young adults to help them […]
PSSA and Keystone tests may be familiar to most parents because most students, including students with disabilities, participate in these statewide assessments. It is also important for families of students with disabilities to be aware of another statewide assessment, the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA). It is critical that parents/guardians are meaningfully involved in […]
With the increase in incidents of school violence across the United States, school districts are becoming increasingly vigilant in responding to threats. There are no clear criteria for determining whether or not a statement or behavior by a student with a disability in school is considered to be a threat. It is important not to […]
This article was written by Linda Carmona-Bell and appeared in the FAMILIES TO THE MAX Summer 2018 Newsletter. We as parents and guardians of children with disabilities hear constant appeals to get involved in groups and committees. We hear that more family participation is needed to give a family perspective. But who wants to speak […]
Diane Perry, a PEAL Parent Advisor, was recently named Chairperson of the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP). This panel works to improve special education in Pennsylvania and serves in an advisory capacity for the PA Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Federal special education regulations […]
English
العربية
简体中文
繁體中文
Dansk
Español
Français
Hrvatski
Italiano
日本語
ភាសាខ្មែរ
हिन्दी
Polski
Русский
Tiếng Việt
Українська
اردو
Find PEAL Center on: