CHOICES FOR CHILDREN

Dear Colleagues,

Believe it or not it is that time again. IDEA is being re authorized next year. We must start now to organize and ensure that infants and students who are blind and visually impaired are included in IDEA. It is also time for Choices for Children to wake up and advocate the highest quality of educational services for students who are blind and visually impaired through comprehensive and appropriate identification, assessment, individual educational programming and placement based on assessment and student needs.

Choices for Children is a campaign to inform policy makers, legislators, and others about the unique educational needs of those who are blind and visually impaired. A full continuum of education options in programming and placements, as called for in IDEA, is necessary in order for each child to receive the education she/he needs and deserves.

We must come together as a grassroots organization as a chance to have our voice heard and lay the foundations for any changes we want.

Some of the issues are:

Continuum of alternative placements
Add language from the regulations to the least restrictive environment (LRE) section of the law

Early Intervention Program Part C
Add language to the national environment section of IDEA, putting more emphasis on "appropriate services" based on the need of the infant and their families.

Other Areas
State funding mechanisms
Appropriate education
Assessment
Professional shortages
Recruitment and retention programs

Choices for Children needs your help and support. Working together we can and are a very powerful voice. Join us now. Sign up today. Sign up sheets are available from the following persons: