Utah students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. For this to be a reality for the more than 60,000 students in Utah eligible for special education services, schools must fully implement both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility approved plan, the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) must identify and correct noncompliance, parents must know and exercise their rights, and the state must adequately fund special education.
The efforts to improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities include:
- Special education eligibility and evaluations for students.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation.
- Educating disabled students with students who are nondisabled to the maximum extent, where appropriate.
- Assisting students with disabilities in receiving the assistive technology and training required for their success in school
- Ensuring that students are not disciplined, restrained or secluded because of a disability.
- Assisting students in receiving the transition services needed to prepare for life after school.
- Raising awareness among parents, advocates and policy makers so they have all the information they need to ensure the successful education of students with disabilities.
- Advocating for students when rights under IDEA are violated.
Updates and additional information:
Last Updated: 11/29/2017
Corporal Punishment and the Use of Inappropriate Restraint No Longer an Option in Utah Public Schools
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is pleased to announce the passing of House Bill 92 by the Utah State Legislature. Until today, corporal punishment and restraint of students for something as simple as breaking a pencil were options in Utah public schools. Representative Carol Moss sponsored the bill based on the liabilities to both students and educators under current law.
Under the new law, corporal punishment is now prohibited in Utah schools and physical restraint may be used only when safety is at risk. We are thrilled to see the protections this new law provides for all students in Utah schools.
- Press Release: Corporal Punishment and the Use of Inappropriate Restraint No Longer an Option in Utah Public Schools
Utah Transition Today: A 2014 Report of Opportunities and Barriers
The Disability Law Center releases its 2014 report regarding the opportunities and barriers faced by students with disabilities transitioning from education to employment in Utah schools. The report provides a snapshot of the current state of transition services in Utah. It details findings from statewide DLC visits and interviews with students and staff in transition programs across 19 Utah schools and Districts. The findings support the DLC’s perspective that the transition planning process must meet state and federal law requirements and should be driven primarily by consideration of the student’s interests, preferences, strengths, and needs, in order to obtain and maintain integrated and competitive employment for students with disabilities.
- UPDATE: Utah Transition Services: School to Post-School in 2016
- View the Introductory Letter to Utah Transition Today: A 2014 Report of Opportunities and Barriers
- View the full report: Utah Transition Today: A 2014 Report of Opportunities and Barriers
