WHAT IS A SEPTA?
WHAT IS A SEPTA?
Special Education Parent Teacher Association
| ∞ | SEPTA is a PTA within a school district. SEPTA brings together people who are interested in special education and children with special needs. |
| ∞ | SEPTA supports, strengthens and promotes the welfare of children with special needs. |
| ∞ | SEPTA promotes an understanding of special education and strives to enrich the lives of children with special needs. |
ARE THE GOALS OF SEPTA?
| ∞ | To ensure that all children receive an education that allows them to reach their full potential. |
| ∞ | To bring together parents, families and teachers of children with special needs in order to share their experiences. |
| ∞ | To educate parents about special education, including the identification and placement procedures for children with special needs. |
| ∞ | To inform legislators, school boards, and the community about the importance of special education programs. |
| ∞ | To improve the lives of children by providing cultural, social and physical enrichment. |
| ∞ | To advocate for children with special needs and their right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. |
WHO ARE SEPTA MEMBERS?
| ∞ | Anyone that has an interest in the welfare of children with special needs. |
| ∞ | Parents, families, teachers, school administrators, students, friends. |
| ∞ | Membership is open to all. |
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT SEPTA?
| ∞ | Join a SEPTA |
| ∞ | Attend meetings |
| ∞ | Participate in programs |
| ∞ | Volunteer your time |
| ∞ | GET INVOLVED! |
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
| ∞ | If you suspect your child has a disability that interferes with learning, you can ask to have your child tested by your school district at no cost to you. You can do this even if your child does not attend public school. |
| ∞ | You can see your child’s school records and get a copy of the school records at no cost to you. If your child’s school records contain incorrect or misleading information, you can ask to have the information corrected. |
| ∞ | When your child is evaluated for special education, the school must explain the tests your child has been given. If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, you can ask for additional testing or an independent evaluation at no cost to you. |
| ∞ | You must be treated as a full and equal member of your child’s Planning and Placement Team (PPT). You should be included in every decision about your child’s special education. |
| ∞ | If you disagree with decisions about your child’s special education, you have many rights, including the right to mediation and due process. |
| ∞ | KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! |
| SEPTAs IN CONNECTICUT We are fortunate to have several SEPTAs organized in Connecticut. Below we've provided some basic contact information. If you need more information regarding any of these organizations, contact the CT PTA office. |
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OTHER RESOURCES
There are many resources available to parents of special needs children. Here are just a few:
AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA
800-3AUTISM
AUTISM SOCIETY OF CT (ASCONN)
P.O. Box 1404
Guilford, CT 06437
888-453-4975
www.autismsocietyofct.org
CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES (CACLD)
25 Van Zant Street, Suite 15-5
East Norwalk, CT 06855
203-838-5010
CONNECTICUT PARENT ADVOCACY CENTER (CPAC)
338 Main Street
Niantic, CT 06357
800-445-2722
Council for Exceptional Children
Phone: (888) CEC-SPED or (703) 620-3660
Fax: (703) 264-9494 -
http://www.cec.sped.org
CREC HEARING IMPAIRED PROGRAM
129 Hartford Avenue
Wethersfield, CT 06109
860-529-4260
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT
999 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
860-560-1711
National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc. (NASDSE)
http://www.nasdse.org/home.htm
NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES
800-695-0285
STATE EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER (SERC)
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457-1502
860-632-1485
800-842-8678
Yale Academic Skills Clinic
(Assessment clinic for children and youth with individual learning needs)
Yale Child Study Center
230 South Frontage Road
New Haven, CT. 06520
(Locations in New Haven and Greenwich)
To schedule an appointment: 203-785-4239
For more information: Consult their brochure or contact Tina Newman
