by Common Ground | Aug 28, 2025 | Capitols, September 2025
The New Jersey Senate has passed a bill that would help ensure safer transportation for students with disabilities by requiring that school bus personnel who work with students with disabilities call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies. Currently, there is...
by Common Ground | Aug 28, 2025 | September 2025, Snapshot
Smartphones can be powerful tools for college students with disabilities when paired with the right apps. 1. Microsoft OneNote – a flexible digital notebook that lets students organize their notes by subject, add voice recordings, insert images, and draw diagrams. It...
by Common Ground | Jun 24, 2025 | Features, June-July 2025, Special Ed Basics
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. One important part of IDEA is its requirement for related services. These services are designed to help...
by Common Ground | Jun 18, 2025 | June-July 2025, Professionals
Occupational therapy (OT) is an important part of special education that helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in everyday tasks, both at school and at home. These tasks, or “occupations,” include things like writing, using scissors,...
by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | June-July 2025, Professionals, Teachers
Speech therapy plays a vital role in supporting students with disabilities in special education. Many students with disabilities, such as those with autism, language disorders, or speech delays, may need extra help to develop their communication skills. Speech therapy...
by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | June-July 2025, Q&A, Special Ed Basics
Q: What is a special education assessment, and why is it important in determining related services? A: A special education assessment is a process that evaluates a child’s strengths and weaknesses in different areas, such as academic, social, emotional, and...
by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | Courts, June-July 2025
Court decisions have played an important role in shaping how related services are provided in special education. Over the years, several important court decisions have helped clarify how related services should be provided and what students are entitled to. One of the...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Courts, May 2025
A high-stakes lawsuit, Texas v. Becerra, now making its way through the courts, could dismantle Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by entities that receive federal funding. The law requires...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Features, May 2025
Federal law grants parents a key role in helping to ensure their child with disabilities gets an appropriate education. Parents can have a steep learning curve as they learn how to navigate the special education system. Without training and support, most parents do...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Courts, May 2025
In April, U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. The case centers on what standard students must meet in order to bring claims of disability discrimination at school. At issue is whether students with disabilities must show that schools...
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