(((September 6, 2005 deadline)))
The U.S. Department of Education has announced proposed regulations to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) and invites public comment. The official version of this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is now published in the Federal Register in both PDF and TEXT formats.
http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html
Written comments or suggestions can be submitted electronically to
IDEAComments@ed.gov
or mailed to:
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Potomac Center Plaza, Room 5126
Washington, DC, 20202-2641
Below is the Indiana Down Syndrome Center for Public Policy’s endorsement letter of the National Down Syndrome Society’s recommendations to the US Dept of Education regarding IDEA 2004. Here are the NDSS recommendations
http://www.ndss.org/media/pdf/NDSS_Comments_on_IDEA_REGS_8-19-05.pdf
If you could, please email your letter of support of NDSS’s recommendations prior to the September 6, 2005 deadline. Feel free to use any of the wording in our letter of support.
Thank you,
Jan Huffman
Indiana Down Syndrome Center for Public Policy
_________________________________________________
September 2, 2005
Dr. Troy Justensen
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
United States Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Potomac Center Plaza Room 5126
Washington, DC 20202-2641
RE: PROPOSED IDEA 2004 REGULATIONS
Dear Dr. Justensen:
The Indiana Down Syndrome Center for Public Policy is a coalition of parents, self-advocates, family members, professionals, and friends of individuals with Down syndrome. We are committed to positively influencing policies and practices that foster an inclusive culture where all people are valued participants in the educational, social and economic opportunities in their communities. We are based in Indiana and demonstrate our commitment and vision by working in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society and other groups that champion our values, goals and vision in advancing public policy to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome are educated, live and work in an environment where diversity is valued, strengths and interests are accentuated, and opportunities equal those in the general community.
The members of the Indiana Down Syndrome Center for Public Policy represent hundreds of families, many who comprise Down syndrome non-profit organizations in Indiana including the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation, Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.), Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana, Columbus Area Down Syndrome Support Group, Down Syndrome Support Association of Southern Indiana and S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome.
On behalf of all individuals with Down syndrome and their families who are affected by the proposed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), we officially endorse the comments and recommendations concerning the proposed IDEA regulations that were submitted by the National Down Syndrome Society on August 19, 2005, and attached hereto. Incorporating the NDSS recommendations into the proposed regulations is critically important in expanding the educational opportunities for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities embedded in IDEA 2004. We urge you to review these recommendations and take action so that these issues are incorporated into the new IDEA regulations.
We look forward to working with you and other organizations to assist in achieving the highest quality early intervention services for infants and toddlers, and most beneficial and appropriate education for all students with disabilities.
Sincerely,
s/ Julie Holiday s/ Jeff Huffman
Julie Holiday Jeff Huffman
Co-Chairpersons
Indiana Down Syndrome Center for Public Policy
JSH/js
Enclosure
Cc: via email :
Madeleine Will, Director NDSS National Policy Center
Rob Bonney, grassroots coordinator NDSS National Policy Center
Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.)
Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana
Columbus Area Down Syndrome Support Group
Down Syndrome Support Association of Southern Indiana
S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome
Jan and Nash 4
http://mauzysmusings.blogspot.com/
