VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...
A much-needed fix for Vermont’s Special Education Advisory Panel might not make it across the finish line this Session. Both the House and Senate passed a bill requiring the state’s Special Education Advisory Panel to comply with the federal rules for such panels by September 2019. However, the, language that addresses the issue was moved into a larger education bill, H. 521, which is now stalled in a failed conference committee.
Advocates have long wanted to see stronger parent and student representation on the Special Education Advisory Panel. In fact, federal law requires that a majority of Panel members be individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities. At last count, only 2 or 3 of Vermont’s fourteen-member committee were people with disabilities or parents of students with disabilities.
Contact Sue, VTDDC's Senior Planner and Policy Analyst, by email for more details on what the Council is doing this legislative session: Susan.Aranoff@Vermont.gov