National Resources
U.S. Department of Special Education
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.
- No Child Left Behind
Signed by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act gives our schools historic educational reform based on: more choices for parents, encouraging proven education methods, more freedom for statesand communities and stronger accountability for results
ADA Americans With Disabilities
ADA-Americans With Disabilities Act
is a civil rights law passed in 1990 that does not allow discrimination against
people with disabilities in employment, public service, and public accomodations.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
The center provides information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth;
programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities;
and IDEA, the nation's special education law.
State Resources
Maryland State Department of Education
The Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services collaborates with families, local early intervention systems, and local school systems to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities have access to appropriate services and educational opportunities to which they are entitled under federal and state laws.
2005 Maryland State Department of Education Report Card
The Maryland Report Card is a collection of data compiled on an annual basis to provide information on school performance to all education stakeholders; provide information to support school improvement efforts; and to provide accountability at the state, school system and school level for reporting educational progress.
Local Resources
Parks and Recreation - therapeutic programs
Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation encourages the involvement and participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services.
- Partners for Success
Resource centers for families and schools are partnerships between the local school system and the Maryland State Department of Education. The purpose of these centers is to provide the skills and knowledge that will enable families of children and youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 21, and professionals to function as equal partners in the educational decision making process and to assist families in accessing services for their children.