Useful Websites

  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC):  The CEC is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, children with disabilities, and/or the gifted. The website provides information about the educational rights of children with disabilities, and it offers an online discussion forum for CEC members.
  • The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA):  COPAA is a nonprofit organization of attorneys, advocates, and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with disabilities. COPAA’s site includes a database for finding attorneys and advocates who represent parents throughout the United States.
  • Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004:  Site maintained by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for resources related to the federal special education law – the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Includes links to the IDEA and its regulations.
  • LD OnLine: Learning Disabilities Information & Resources: Excellent site for basic and in-depth information about a wide range of learning disabilities. Offers a free electronic newsletter to provide updates about issues involving children with learning disabilities.
  • Office for Dispute Resolution: The Office for Dispute Resolution administers the mediation and due process systems in Pennsylvania, and provides training and services regarding alternative dispute resolution methods.
  • Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (O.A.S.I.S.):Provides information about Asperger Syndrome, links to other PDD/Autism websites, and information about support groups for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE):  Contains information about public schools in Pennsylvania (including special education information) , and provides links to all of PDE’s Basic Education Circulars (policy statements)  intermediate unit web pages, and school district web pages.
  • Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN): PaTTAN is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education that works in partnership with families and schools to support programs and services to improve the learning and achievement of children with special needs. PaTTAN’s website contains a lot of useful information, including information on free trainings, research and resources on evidence-based practices (such as inclusive practices, progress monitoring, and positive behavior support), and links to many helpful publications. From PaTTAN’s site, you can access the Pennsylvania annotated forms used by school districts and charter schools, such as the IEP, NOREP, and Procedural Safeguards Notice.
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports:  Site maintained by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs that provides information and technical assistance about behavioral systems to help states and school districts design effective schools.
  • University of Kentucky Behavior Home Page: Provides useful information about working with children with mental health needs.
  • Wrightslaw: Excellent site operated by an attorney who represents parents in special education matters. Provides updates of recent court decisions from around the country, along with basic information about special education law.