Bullying of Youth with Disabilities
Children with disabilities are 2-3 times more likely to be victims of bullying than their peers without disabilities.
Resources
Guidance released from the U.S. Dept. of Education on bullying and students with disabilities and how IEPs and 504 plans can be used to prevent and respond to bullying. From the guidance: "[A]ny bullying of a student with disabilities which results in the student not receiving meaningful educational benefit is considered a denial of FAPE."
Dear Colleague Letter - Office for Civil Rights (October 2010).
Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance: Harassment of Students by School Employees, Other Students, Or Third Parties - Office for Civil Rights (January 2001).
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)/Stop Bullying - Developed by the Alabama State Department of Education, this website focuses on state initiatives and resources to stop bullying.
Alabama's Student Harassment Prevention Act: Does It Do What It Said It Would Do? A First Look - Alabama School Connection (June 2012).
Walk A Mile in Their Shoes: Bullying and the Child with Special Needs - A report by AbilityPath.org which interviewed experts, educators and parents regarding a silent epidemic facing children with special needs - bullying.
National Bullying Prevention Center - A project of PACER, an organization which works to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families.
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Bullying - A tip sheet produced by PACER (2011).
Teens Against Bullying - A website developed by and for teens associated with PACER.
StopBullying.gov - A comprehensive website for youth, parents, schools and communities developed by the U. S. Departments of Health & Human Services, Education and Justice
Preventing Bullying in Schools and the Community - Resources provided by the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, a technical assistance program for school districts and communities.