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Announcements
Employment / Social Security – New Ticket to Work Web Portal
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched a new web portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/work to provide program information, resources, and news about SSA’s employment support programs. Social Security disability beneficiaries and others can obtain information on the new portal or by calling the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (V) /866-833-2967(TTY/TDD).
Education — The Department of Education awards $24 million in Grants to Improve Training Systems to Help Children with Disabilities
The US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), awarded a total of $24 million in State Personnel Development Grants to 22 states to improve teacher training for students with disabilities. States must partner with at least one higher education institution and a Parent Training and Information Center or a Community Parent Resource Center. States that received grants include Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Education –The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Releases Report on Disability Rights Enforcement
The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights released a report covering the period of 2009 to 2011 that details the types of disability rights complaints it received. Fifty-five percent of the complaints concerned disability discrimination. Of the 11,700 disability complaints OCR received, 4,600 alleged violations in the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The report indicated that students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) were twice as likely to be suspended from school as their peers without disabilities. Of all the students who were expelled in school year 2009-2010, 16% were served under IDEA. Of all reported physical restraints in schools, 70% involved children with disabilities.
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