National Disability Policy: A Progress Report. A July 2003 report from the National Council on Disability offering a number of recommendations for action at the local, state, and national levels on policies affecting youth with disabilities. Available at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2003/progressreport_final.htm
Federal Actions Can Assist States in Improving Postsecondary Outcomes for Youth. A July 2003 report from the General Accounting Office, issued in response to a Congressional request to provide information on IDEA students. Available at http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d03773high.pdf
A New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and their Families. A report issue in July 2002 by the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education, specifically addressing school-to-work transition for youth with disabilities. Available at http://www.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/reports/index.html.
New Freedom Initiative. The Bush administration's New Freedom Initiative's goals are to increase access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expand educational opportunities, promote home ownership, integrate Americans with disabilities into the workforce, expand transportation options, and promote full access to community life. This initiative specifically promotes full access to community life through the implementation of the Olmstead Supreme Court decision and Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. For more information see http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom.
Independent Living Research Utilization/Olmstead Decision Implementation Resources. In July 1999, the Supreme Court issued the Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The court's decision in that case clearly challenged federal, state, and local governments to develop more opportunities for individuals with disabilities through more accessible systems of cost-effective community-based services. The Olmstead decision ensures that youth with disabilities who transition from school to adult life have increased opportunities for independent living by providing for noninstitutional options in care and services. For more information and resources regarding implementation see the Independent Living Research Utilization Web site at http://www.ilru.org/html/projects/olmstead/.
National Study on Graduation Requirements and Diploma Options for Youth with Disabilities. A report published by the National Center on Educational Outcomes and National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, examining states' policies and perspectives on graduation requirements, diploma options, and intended and unintended consequences of various graduation policies. It is based on a survey of states. Available at http://education.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/Technical36.htm.
Curriculum Transformation and Disability (CTAD) Workshop Facilitator's Guide. A guide published by CTAD at the University of Minnesota to help postsecondary faculty make their classes more accessible to all students. Designed for use by postsecondary disability services providers, faculty and others in conducting a faculty development workshop encouraging and assisting faculty to incorporate universal design in their curricula and instruction. Available at http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/ctad.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition. The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) at the University of Minnesota coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures. For more information visit http://www.ncset.org or call 612/624-2097.
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