If you are a parent trying to understand what services and accommodations could be offered to your child with dyslexia, there are a few documents published by the Exceptional Children Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that can help you get started.
Dyslexia Topic Brief – The Exceptional Children Division at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction developed “Dyslexia Topic Brief” to provide accurate information regarding the evaluation, identification and instruction of students with dyslexia within a school setting. If you reference only one document, make it this one.
Procedural Safeguards: Handbook of Parents’ Rights -This document explains the “procedural safeguards” (legal rights) that children with disabilities have. “Dyslexia” is not used in this 2016 document, but it does fall under the “specific learning disabilities” category you’ll see mentioned in the document.
Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities – If you are looking for definitions of terms that often come up during discussions about services provided to students with disabilities, refer to this in-depth resource. Terms such as Independent Educational Evaluation, Local Educational Agency (LEA), Assistive Technology and many, many others are explained.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Website
Agencies
The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) – ECAC is committed to improving the lives and education of all children through a special emphasis on children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. They provide 1:1 assistance to parents and families of children with special needs. They also offer in-person training and online webinars, free of charge.
Disability Rights of North Carolina – Legal advocacy agency that fights for the rights of people with disabilities. They handle cases involving discrimination, abuse and other rights violations. All of their services are at no cost to North Carolinians with disabilities.
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) – NCSEAA has two programs that are available to meet the financial needs of students with disabilities – The Disabilities Grant and the Education Savings Account. Families can apply for more than one program. A child must have a NC Individualized Education Program (IEP) dated within the last three years.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) – NCLD fights to improve outcomes for people with learning and attention issues by actively shaping local and national policy to reduce barriers and ensure opportunity and access for all.
Guidebook
Parents Guide to Special Education in North Carolina – Children’s Law Clinic-Duke University
This 149-page document written in 2017 by Jane Wettach, Children’s Law Clinic, Duke Law School, is a comprehensive resource guide to special education terms and concepts, evaluations and educational testing, IEP meetings, 504 Plans and many other topics. The Children’s Law Clinic is a community law office that provides free legal advice, advocacy and legal representation to low-income children and their parents regarding special education matters. The clinic is staffed by Duke Law students who bring their compassion, commitment and energy to the task of advocating for at-risk children.