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In the past quarter century a number of important pieces of legislation have been passed which affect the disabled, insuring their rights and expanding opportunities. The links below will introduce you to the most important of these laws as well as other legal resources.
Laws and Legislation
ADA Home page
This site, hosted by the Department of Justice, provides links to information on mediation, recent court decisions related to the ADA, standards for accessible design, ADA Regulations and Technical Assistance, enforcement, proposed regulations, and much more. The site, however, is not searchable.
Americans with Disabilities Act Document Center
This site offers the full-text of several federal laws, such as ADA (also known as Public Law 101-336) and ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines), plus other documents that provide guidance on how to implement these laws.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The site of EEOC describes laws on employment discrimination and tells how to file a charge or initiate mediation. The site is also searchable.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996
Several sections of the Telecommunications Act address barriers and potential issues related to the inaccessibility of the Web. It establishes the Telecommunications Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) to address the needs of people with disabilities.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 was amended in 1998 to require that Federal agencies electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. This site has links and information to help agencies comply with that law.
V. I. Guide Home Page, for parents and teachers of blind and visually impaired Children
This is an excellent, accessible source with links to the most relevant legislation impacting visually impaired children, their teachers, and parents.
The Disability Law Handbook is a 64-page guide to the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related laws. Written in an FAQ format, it answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments. It has been written by
The Southwest ADA Center,
one of the National Network of ADA Centers funded by the National Institute on Rehabilitation and Research of the Department of Education, to provide technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws.
Free copies
are available for download.
Hard copies
may also be purchased for a nominal charge.
Law and Education
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This is one of the most powerful laws affecting visually impaired children. It states that they are entitled to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) spell out a student's particular education needs under this law and form a contract with the parent/guardian and the school system.
ACCESSING EDUCATION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
The information in this document is intended to assist parents and other care givers in locating and accessing appropriate special education services. It may also assist them with establishing and maintaining a viable partnership with school district personnel who have responsibility for assuring a free and appropriate education for children whose vision is impaired.
Parents as Advocates: A Guide to Special Education in Maine
Russ Stryker, a special ed attorney, has written this advocacy handbook to assist parents of children with disabilities in Maine. Most of the information and advice is relevant to other states as well.
18 Tips for Getting Quality Special Education for Your Child
While this document provides much information that is aimed at disabilities other than blindness and low vision, it is, nonetheless, an excellent source for the parent of the visually impaired child.
Organizations of Assistance
Law Office of Lainey Feingold - Disability Rights Legal Advocacy - Home Page
Structured Negotiations is an alternative dispute resolution and advocacy method that has been used with some of the country's largest institutions to reach agreement on issues such as Talking ATMs, accessible websites, alternative formats, accessible pedestrian signals and tactile point of sale devices. The site contains all the settlement agreements reached with structured negotiations, as well as related press releases and other information.
Thomas Legislative Information
This site, sponsored by the Library of Congress, contains a vast amount of information on bills being introduced in Congress, the congressional record, reports from congressional committees and more.
In every session of Congress, legislation is introduced of interest to blind and visually impaired citizens. It is easy to locate and contact members of
The House of Representatives
or
The Senate
Council for Exceptional Children: Policy & Advocacy
This site, from the Council for Exceptional Children, provides timely news on pending legislation on a wide variety of issues related to exceptionality.
Council for Disability Rights
The CDR has as its mission to advance rights and enhance lives of people with disabilities. The site contains news of interest, practical do-it-yourself advice, FAQs on the ADA, a parent's guide to special ed. /special needs, dealing with voting barriers, etc.
The Disability Law Lowdown podcast
The Disability Law Lowdown provides the latest information about disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability-related topics. Subscription is free. The program is provided by the National Network of ADA Centers across the country, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. The Disability Law Lowdown is available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Subscribing will guarantee that you will receive notification of new programs.
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