Nevada State Health Division

Last Updated: 01/20/09 02:05:23 PM

Educations & Schools

Education

Parents often find themselves with questions about the education of their children with special needs. These questions could involve how their children will learn, what their rights are, or what processes are involved to support their children throughout their life at school. A network of supports and advocacy organizations exist to support parents and help them navigate the education system. Be it special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, or what steps to take to receive the desired services for their children, parents have organizations that want to help them understand the process.

Nonprofit Education Advocacy Groups

Nevada's nonprofit organizations can help with a variety of parent concerns:

Parent/Teacher or parent/school communication
Children in the classroom and their environment
Physical Needs
Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Section 504 filings
Children's education process
Special Education

The following are several of those organizations:

Parents Encouraging Parents - PEP

PEP offers a variety of advocacy services for parents and their children with special health care needs.

Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Section 504 filings and information
Children's education
Classroom environment
Special education
Parental rights
Children's Classroom environments

If a parent has concerns or questions about their child's education they should contact the nearest PEP office.

Family TIES of Nevada

Family TIES offers a variety of support services and experience for parents and their children with special health care needs. They provide training, expertise, and knowledge in working with education institutions. Please contact them if you have questions about the education process.

Nevada Disability and Law Center (NDALC)

NDALC provides advocacy for parents and their children with learning disabilities. They can provide:

Direct representation during individualized education plan (I.E.P.) meetings
Representation to students with disabilities to ensure that school districts are providing the services and supports necessary for them to be educated in the least restrictive environment.
Direct representation and advocacy for students with disabilities to assist them in obtaining adequate transition services as required under IDEA.

Contact them with your questions.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Information Pages

Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Section 504 Information

Many parents do not realize or know of the rights granted to them under the IDEA. The following link will take you to a basic description of what IDEA is, what an IEP is, and how Section 504 can assist parents in the education of their child with special health care needs.

Council of Educators for Students with Disabilities, Inc.

this organization's website was created to provide information on IDEA and Section 504. It provides answers to many common questions, overviews of the different aspects of IDEA and Section 504, explanations, and additional resources that may be used to learn more. This site offers a good, comprehensive explanation of IDEA, Section 504, and many related topics. Visit their site for more information.

U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education provides a website which answers the question of "What is Section 504?" and how can it help families and their children with disabilities. Their page provides information on who qualifies for coverage under Section 504, how it relates to them, and the rights of the family. Please visit their site for further info.

LDOnline
LDOnline provides a general description and comparison of IDEA, IEP's, and Section 504. They provide information on the similarities and differences between the IEP and the Section 504.

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)
PEP is a Nevada organization which can help parents understand and navigate the IEP or Section 504 process. Contact them for further information.

Publications

Brochure on Parental Rights - provided by the Nevada Department of Education.

National Advocacy Organizations

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
DREDF is a leading national law and policy center in disability civil rights. Their website contains specific pages on special education for students with disabilities including the IEP process. To find out more about the IEP process please visit their website.

Special Education Advocacy - Special Education Advocacy provides many answers to questions about the special education process, IEP's, Section 504, and IDEA. Visit their website for more information.

Bridges4Kids.org
This site contains information on a very large variety of topics covering everything from health to education. The site also provides links to other information sources which can be a great aid in locating information.

Nevada's School Districts

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Nevada's school districts offer special education programs to assist children with special needs. For further information and contacts, please visit our School District website.

College and University Supports for Disabled Students

University of Nevada, Reno - Disability Resource Center
This site provides valuable information on what services are available to students with disabilities so they and their parents can plan the student's future at the University. The purpose of the Disability Resource Center at the University of Nevada, Reno is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from all university programs. The DRC was created to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities and their staff is available to provide students with sensitive and individualized assistance at the student's request. For further info visit their website or contact them.

Truckee Meadows Community College - Disability Resource Center
Students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community College. The college Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides disability services at no charge to the student. Students are responsible for filling out an application, providing documented proof of their disability, participating in a personal interview and assisting in the development of an accommodation plan. The DRC also offers supportive and informative services to students with disabilities. Please contact them for more information or visit their website.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Disability Services - Disability Services provides academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities who are otherwise qualified to attend UNLV. Their website provides a large amount of information and advice to help a student with disabilities have a successful university experience. For further information you can contact them directly or visit their website.

Community Colleges of Southern Nevada - Disability Resource Centers - The Community College of Southern Nevada makes every effort to make its campuses fully accessible to students with disabilities. The college's Disability Resource Center offers special accommodations to help students with documented disabilities with their academic and vocational pursuits. In addition, the DRC offers three full-time Disability Specialists to answer any questions or help solve any problems that may arise due to a documented disability. The office also offers adaptive equipment to those who qualify to ensure equal access to all CCSN sponsored activities. Visit their website or contact them for further information.

Western Nevada Community College - By providing necessary support, WNCC helps students attain their academic, vocational and personal goals at WNCC. Disabled Student Services (DSS) provides qualified students with disabilities equal access to higher education through academic support services, technology and advocacy in order to promote their independence, retention and graduation. For a list of their offices and further information please visit their website or contact them directly.

United States Department of Education - Post-Secondary Education - Rights and Responsibilities - The U.S. Department of Education offers information on the rights and responsibilities of individuals with disabilities entering post-secondary education. Visit their site for more information.

Contact Information


Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) 2355 Redrock St. Suite 106 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: (800) 216-5188 Email: pepinfo@nvpep.org	Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Reno, Nevada 89502 Phone: (800) 216-5188 Email: pepinfo@nvpep.org

Family TIES of Nevada Northern Nevada PO Box 50815 Sparks, Nevada 89435 Phone: (866) 326-8437 Email: info@familytiesnv.org	Family TIES of Nevada Southern Nevada PO Box 29157 Las Vegas, NV 89126 Phone: (866) 326-8437 Email: info@familytiesnv.org

Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center Southern Nevada 6039 Eldora Avenue Suite C Box-3 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: (702) 257-8150 Phone: (702) 257-8160 (TTY) Phone Toll Free: 1 (888) 349-3843 Email: ndalc@ndalclv.org	Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center 1311 North McCarran #106 Sparks, NV 89431 775-333-7878 775-788-7824 (TTY) Phone Toll Free: 1 (800) 992-5715 Email: reno@ndalc.org

Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living 999 Pyramid Way Sparks, NV 89431 Reno/Sparks: (775) 353-3599 Phone - Fallon: (775) 423-4900 Phone - Elko: (775) 753-4300	Southern Nevada Center For Independent Living 6039 Eldora Suite F-6 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone - Las Vegas: 800-870-7003 Phone - Las Vegas Metro: 702-889-4216 Phone - North Las Vegas/Rural: 702-649-3822
WNC
Western Nevada College Disability Support Services Bristlecone 103 Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: (775) 445-3266	DETR - Rehabilitation Division 505 East King Street, Room 502 Carson City, Nevada 89701-3705 Phone: (775) 684-4040 Email detrvr@nvdetr.org
UNR	UNLV
University of Nevada, Reno Disability Resource Center (DRC) Thompson Building Suite 101 Reno, NV 89507 Phone: (775) 784-6000 Email: mzabel@admin.unr.edu	University of Nevada, Las Vegas Disability Resources 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 452015 Las Vegas, NV 89154-2015 Phone: (702) 895-0866 Email: les@ccmail.nevada.edu
CCSN	TMCC
Community College of Southern Nevada Disability Resource Center (DRC) All Campuses Phone: (702) 651-4700	Truckee Meadows Community College Disability Resource Center (DRC) 7000 Dandini Boulevard, RDMT 120 Reno, Nevada 89512-3999 Phone: (775) 673-7277