Proposed changes to NY state law
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| Wed, 06-13-2007 - 8:44am |
The below letter was forwarded to me. This is just down right wrong and unfair to our kids. Write to your state representative to prevent this from happening.
New York State wants to restrict your rights under the special education law!
As the parent of a child with special needs, you know the complicated steps necessary to obtain appropriate special education services for your child. Parents and students with disabilities need more rights, not less. Please stand up for your rights and stop New York State from making it even harder for students with special needs to receive a free appropriate public education.
We are calling all parents of children who receive special education services to tell your state representatives that you want them to protect your rights.
STATE'S PROPOSED RESTRICTION #1
Recent changes to the federal law prevent teachers and other professionals from directly referring your child for special education evaluations and also allow school districts to ask you to:
1. Let them change your child's IEP without a meeting;
2. Excuse teachers and special education providers from attending IEP meetings; and
3. Give up your right to have your child evaluated at least every three years.
New York State wants to put these changes into effect without giving parents any additional protections against their rights being violated. Other states, including New Jersey, have included additional protections to make sure that parents are not rushed or pressured into making decisions they may later regret.
STATE'S PROPOSED RESTRICTION #2
New York State is trying to cut the time period a parent has to file an impartial hearing in half.
If this happens, parents will need to understand and exercise their legal rights twice as fast as under current law in order to enforce their children's right to appropriate services. This change would also give New York parents less time to file an impartial hearing than parents in other states.

Oh great... just great! As if things aren't hard enough in this state! Just getting an appt with a behavioral health professional is close to impossible and nevermind the nightmare involved with getting things accomplished through the schools. By all means, let NY make it even WORSE!
You bet I will be writing some letters!!
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
It depends on where in NY state your sister lives. To find out go to this website for state senator and search
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators?OpenForm
for Assemblyman go to this website and search
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
hope this helps.