Know your rights, and ensure your child receives the support they need in the classroom. These D.C., Maryland and Virginia resources make navigating special education and accommodations less overwhelming.
State & National Resources
Disability Rights Maryland
Live Q&A sessions to help parents understand their child’s special education rights, resources and guides on topics such as school discipline, transition planning, communication with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan team and extended school year services disabilityrightsmd.org/special-education
Division of Special Education
The Maryland State Department of Education’s hub for coordinating services for students with disabilities, including family support services, the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, preschool special education, autism waivers and other helpful information. The Virginia Department of Education’s Special Education division plays a similar role for Virginia.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
A national nonprofit and education center focused on support and resources for individuals with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia ncld.org
The Parents’ Place of Maryland
Offers individualized one-on-one support for families to navigate special education, parent trainings, resources for special education eligibility, advocacy, assistive technology, language access for families that speak English as a second language and more | ppmd.org/resources
DMV Resources
(The) Arc of Northern Virginia
The Arc has chapters across the country that offer resources to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The Fairfax-based Northern Virginia chapter’s umbrella program, Transition POINTS, offers comprehensive guidance and information to caregivers about navigating education, housing and more for their child with a disability. thearcofnova.org
DC Special Education Cooperative
The DC Special Education Cooperative was founded to improve special education curricula in Washington, D.C., offering learning labs and support for students with disabilities as well as training programs for educators. specialedcoop.org
Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)
If your child attends public school in Fairfax County and requires special education, joining SEPTA will give you a voice on the issues that affect your child and help you connect with other parents of children with disabilities. fairfaxcountysepta.org
Virginia Family Special Education Connection
This website serves as a central directory and resource guide to special education assistance and information in the state of Virginia. vafamilysped.org
Lindsay VanAsdalan also contributed to this article.
