by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | Features, November 2025
Students with disabilities can face many different kinds of abuse in schools, and these experiences can have lasting effects on their confidence, mental health, and ability to learn. One type is verbal abuse, which happens when students are teased, mocked, or called...
by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | November 2025, Parents
Emotional abuse often leaves no physical marks, but the psychological effects can be long-lasting. For students with disabilities, the signs might be dismissed as part of their condition rather than a reaction to mistreatment. That’s why it’s crucial for parents to...
by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | November 2025, Q&A
Q: My child with a disability may have been abused or neglected at school. What should I do first? A: If you suspect abuse or neglect (for example: physical injury, inappropriate restraint, neglect of care, etc.), you should immediately report the concern to the state...
by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | Capitols, November 2025
Since 1972, the Department of Education (DOE) has collected data that has been used by researchers, educators, and policymakers to draw conclusions and develop policies that influence American education. Local school administrators would use the data to track...
by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | November 2025, Snapshot
During the 2022-23 school year, 2,470 students in New Jersey were subject to restraint and/or seclusion. Of the 2,470 students, 2,311 of them experienced either physical or mechanical restraint. Students with disabilities make up 85% of students subjected to physical...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | Features, October 2025
The term “transition planning” casts a wide net. It is more than just creating a resume, job sampling, or completing a college application. The purpose of transition planning is not only to prepare the student for the next step after high school, but also...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | Better IEPs, October 2025
“Financial empowerment is the ability and confidence of individuals and communities to make positive financial decisions that promote their long-term financial stability and financial well-being.” – National Disability Institute Incorporating financial...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | October 2025, Teachers
When teachers include financial literacy in the classroom, they open doors to greater independence, stronger problem-solving skills, and more opportunities for students to succeed in adulthood. Learning how to manage money helps students build independence and...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | October 2025, Q&A
Q: What are independent living skills? A: Independent living skills are the everyday abilities a person needs to take care of themselves and participate in their community. These include cooking, cleaning, using transportation, managing finances, making decisions,...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | October 2025, Watch This
“I found that I could do the things that I wanted to do… and none of what was limiting me would keep me from doing anything that I really wanted to do.” This short video from The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange features three adults...
.