LinksRollercoaster Rollercoaster is a website for parents. They have a section on what they call "special needs" which has a lot of advice and information. http://www.rollercoaster.ie/Special_Needs/Intro.asp Below is a sample of the many useful websites available. In each case we draw your attention to some interesting aspects of the site. The National Disability Authority (NDA) Under “Publications” there is a series of pamphlets and reports on many areas. For example, under “Education” there is a report on how IEPs operate in a number of other countries. Also, under “Standards” there are documents on Person Centred Planning which are worth looking at. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Useful at present only as a means of contacting your SENO and reading about the Council. However, this should be looked at periodically as it will be listing the developments as the “Education” Act rolls out. Inclusion Ireland Under “Publications” you will get a list of namhi and other publications. Some you can read on the web-site, others you must contact the namhi office for. A few worth looking at (no matter how young your child is) are: · Making a Will · Directory of Services · Who Decides and How? Comhairle Under “Publications” you can find their book on entitlements. Also, there is a list of all voluntary organisations under the “Voluntary Sector”. Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) The CECDE only studies issues for children from birth to six years of age. However their Standards document is, nevertheless, worth looking at. It can be seen by clicking on “NQF”. Some of its other publications are also worth a look. Special Education Support Service (SESS) This website is aimed at teachers. However, it contains huge amounts of information for parents. For example, it contains a list of all special needs circulars sent from the Department of Education to schools. It also gives up-to-date news on publications, conferences and courses. Some, but not all, of these are aimed at teachers. It also lists reading materials and much more. Well worth a visit. Scoilnet This is a site for schools in general. Interestingly, on the parents page there is quite an emphasis on special needs. Central Remedial Clinic This site, under the social work section contains a list of entitlements for people with disabilities. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) This website contains draft guidelines for teachers of students with learning difficulties. The documents may be accessed by going into “Publications”, and going down to “Draft Syllabuses and Guidelines”. They are the only documents in this section published in 2002. National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) This is the site of the body whose job it is to ensure that children attend school on a regular basis. It is useful for parents of children with special needs, particularly if a school refuses to take in a student or expels a student because of their special needs. ASPIRE Aspire is a support group for people with Asperger’s syndrome and their families. Irish Autism Action This site, for the parents/carers of people with autism gives a large amount of information on ASD. Daisychain Foundation The objective of the Foundation is to support families living with disabilities. Symbolising an unbroken chain of support the daisychain emblem represents the partnership of the able and disabled to improve quality of life for all involved. The Irish Progressive Association for Autism (IPAA) was set up in September 2001 by a handful of concerned parents of Autistic children who were unable to secure appropriate services for their children. Since its establishment the IPAA has campaigned on behalf of hundreds of families in an effort to secure assessments, therapies, services and appropriate education for their children. |