Resources for Children with Special Needs (RCSN):
RCSN
is New York City’s only independent nonprofit organization that works for families and children with all special needs, across all boroughs, to understand, navigate, and access the services needed to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop their full potential.
Advocates for Children of New York:
Advocates for Children of New York
Provides advocacy, litigation support, and free individual case assistance to help ensure that all children receive appropriate educational services.
Parent to Parent of NYS:
Parent to Parent of New York Sta
Organization whose goal is to connect and support families of individuals with special needs.
Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled:
Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled
Since 1956, BCID is a consumer-based, non-profit agency providing services and advocacy toward independent living for individuals with disabilities.
Sinergia NY:
Sinergia NY
Non-profit organization which offers services to developmentally disabled persons and their families.
Creative Arts and Respite Program for Children with Autism
Mercy Home for Children, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit specializing in programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, announces openings in the Creative Arts and Respite Programs for children ages 4-16 diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The free program is available on Saturday’s from 9am-3pm. For information or to download an application visit the website at www.mercyhomeny.org or call 718-832-1075.
Cognitech Café's FREE Assistive Technology Support Program
We are available to help any school age children and their families (early intervention to college bound) discover how assistive technologies may help them address learning, communication, vision, hearing and physical access needs in the classroom. Parents may call or e-mail for a free appointment.
Assistive technologies may be used to augment a child's ability to communicate, support writing and reading needs of children with learning challenges, and provide direct access to educational materials for children who have vision, hearing or physical impairments. Parents need to become informed consumers of such tools in order to advocate successfully for their children in the school system and on their IEP's. In NYC, students are guaranteed such support by the Chancellor's Continuum of Services Appendix B <http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2BCCCF14-9EAE-4506-BD3E-42E9789BCE99/28444/ContinuumofServices.pdf> . Under Federal law all children are entitled to a "free and appropriate education", and assistive technologies often provide such a means toward success. We are available to support, train, and problem-solve any assistive technology need with parents and their child.
All interested parents must make an appointment by e-mail or phone (details below)--we are not available for walk-in services. After our one hour consultations with parents/children, we help them navigate school, public, and private resources for more formal assistive technology and augmentative communication evaluations when needed. Associated professionals are welcome to accompany the family and child as well. Parents are also invited to return with questions or for actual support with assistive technology products they or the schools acquire for the child.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Mark Surabian at ATHelp@me.com <mailto:ATHelp@me.com> or if you do not have e-mail, call 917-586-8000. Please be sure to indicate that you are interested in scheduling a consultation at the JCC in Manhattan.
Where Support is Offered by Appointment:
The Jewish Community Center In Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street
New York, NY 10023
Lower Level Two Basement, Multimedia Center (computing center)
E-mail or Call for Appointments:
Mark Surabian, MA, ATP
www.cognitechcafe.com <http://www.cognitechcafe.com/>
ATHelp@me.com <mailto:ATHelp@me.com>
The CogniTech Cafe, Assistive Technology Support Center
@ The JCC of Manhattan
917-586-8000
Nov 2011
NYC DOE Kindergarten: An Orientation Guide for Families of Students with Disabilities
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AFAF452E-E9BF-450F-814A-FEABF4654882/0/KindergartenOrientationGuide2011.pdf
New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (NYSDDPC)
SPECIAL EDUCATION GUIDE IN PLAIN LANGUAGE:
A User Friendly Handbook on Special Education Laws, Policies and Practices in New York State
Revised 2011
NY State Procedural Safeguards Notice
The Office of Special Education has revised the mandatory New York State Procedural Safeguards Notice: Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Ages 3-21. References to the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) were replaced
with the Office of Special Education, the mailing address for filing of a State complaint was updated and website links were updated. None of the changes are substantive, and therefore districts are not required to replace
any previously duplicated copies to disseminate to parents, but should use this version when making new duplications of the notice. More information is available at
<http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/psgn-cover-jan12.htm>
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/psgn-cover-jan12.htm
http://www.nyspecialedtaskforce.com/uploads/Special_Education_in_Plain_Lanugage_Rev_2011.pdf
The NY Special Education Taskforce has created a guide that offers information to parents, advocates, and school districts about the laws and regulations that outline special education programs and services. The goal of this publication is to unite parents, families and school districts so that they can work together to help students with disabilities reach their full potential.
Advocates for Children September 2011
http://advocatesforchildren.org/Parent%20QA%20for%202011%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf
We've created a new fact sheet to help parents of students with disabilities through the start of the school year. It covers a number of concerns that typically come up at this time of year, including: What to do if a child does not yet have a school assignment or the school assigned says they cannot serve the child’s needs; What to bring to a new school to enroll a child; What to do when specialized transportation is required, but not yet arranged; and How to find an accessible school.
Click here for the English fact sheet
Autism Speaks August 2011
Has released "Individualized Education Plan (IEP): Summary, Process and Practical Tips"
NEW IEP FORMS
March 2010
The New York State Education Department has developed model Student Information Summary and Individualized Education Program (IEP) forms for use with preschool and school-age students with disabilities. The model IEP form will assist school districts to meet federal and State requirments for IEP development. This form will be required for use for all IEPs developed for New York State students beginning with the 2011-12 school year. Further information can be found at
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/formsnotices/IEP/home.html
New York City Department of Education
Parent Guide:
http://schools.nyc.gov/documents/teachandlearn/ELL/Parent_Guide_English.pdf
The DOE's Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual:
Standard Operating Procedures Manual: The Referral, Evaluation, and Placement of School-Age Students with Disabilities (February 2009)
Special Ed Services as part of a unified service delivery system:
The Continuum of Services for Students with Disabilities
Creating a Quality IEP:
Creating a Quality IEP
Assistive Technology:
Assistive Technology Guidebook (2008-09)
Continuum of Special Ed Services for School Age Children: http://www.nysut.org/files/bulletin_080911_specialed.pdf
Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
116 East 16th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003
tel (212) 677-4650 x20 | fax (212) 254-4070
RCSN Special Camps Directory 2011: http://www.resourcesnyc.org/sites/default/files/Camps%202011-2012%20_English%20Version_%20FINAL_0.pdf
Special Ed fair March 2011
The following are links for Dr. Selznick's presentation. There are 4 parts for the entire presentation.
PART 1 Link
or click
PART 2 Link
or click
PART 3 Link
or click
PART 4 Link:
or click
