Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 10.31.22

October 31, 2022

We hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful fall weekend, and for those celebrating Halloween today, we wish you and your family a safe and happy day (and evening!). Arlington County has assembled a host of resources from events in the area to safety tips for trick-or-treating to guide your fall fun.

Planning Ahead

Transitions and Planning
Each fall, APS offers opportunities for families to learn more about transitions and next educational steps through events such as Middle School and High School Information nights, and the APS Transition Fair. For families of students with disabilities, we want to be sure parents also have additional information.
Services to Age 22
The Virginia Regulations Governing Special Education mandate that students with disabilities who turn 22 years of age after September 30 have the right to continue to receive services in accordance with the IEP for the remainder of the school year provided that student has not graduated with a standard or advanced studies diploma. https://doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/state/faq_implementing_regulations/2012/029-12_age_eligibility.shtml
Age of Majority
The regulations also state that when a student with a disability reaches the age of majority (18), all rights in the regulations accorded to the parent(s) transfer to the student.
Read more at: Transfer of Rights for Students with Disabilities
Additional Resources
The Virginia Department of Education has a number of helpful resources posted, including:
- Graduation Requirements and Diploma Options
- Understanding the Applied Studies Diploma
  - Accessible Applied Studies Word document
  - Accessible Applied Studies Spanish Word document
- Supported Decision Making
- Critical Decision Points for Children with Disabilities training videos, which can be accessed on VDOE’s YouTube channel.

Have questions or need additional information? Reach out to the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
PEATC has shared interactive and informative resources on their Family Engagement Facebook page.

DISABILITY HISTORY AND AWARENESS MONTH
Youth with disabilities initiated a campaign in 2009 to have the Virginia General Assembly pass a resolution designating October as Disability History and Awareness Month (DHAM). These same youth developed a vision statement for DHAM: Disability history, education and awareness will promote positive attitudes in schools creating a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and equal opportunities for all. Learn about the history of disability here

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC) AWARENESS MONTH
As a reminder, the Parent Resource Center has a variety of resources compiled by APS staff and families on our Using AAC at Home website, including contact information to schedule a complimentary, 1:1 coaching session with our wonderful AAC Implementation Coaches, and connections to Arlington’s AAC Parents group.