New to Special Education, New to Texas
Disability Rights Texas helps Texans with disabilities understand their rights and fully participate in community life.
Resource Library
Showing 360 results
ARD Committee Meetings, New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Information families need to find and connect with resources in their area.
Transition
Explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities preparing to attend postsecondary schools under federal law.
Transition
Helps Texas foster youth gain life skills, education, and support to transition from care to independent adult living.
Determine Eligibility
A framework providing tiered academic and non-academic supports to meet the needs of all students through data-driven interventions.
Transition
Understand why SSI and Medicaid knowledge is key to supporting students with disabilities during their transition to adulthood.
Transition
Help your child build self-advocacy skills and prepare for IEP meetings to support their transition to adulthood.
Additional Resources
Foster care organizations offering support searchable by region and city.
Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education
Explains legal rights and protections for parents and students with disabilities under IDEA during the special education process.
Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education
Shares five practical steps to help parents effectively advocate for their child through emotional awareness, knowledge, and collaboration.
Additional Resources
Connects volunteers with local partner programs offering mentoring opportunities to support youth in Texas foster care.
Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education
This is an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you and your child have legal protections during the evaluation and individualized education program (IEP) process. These protections are called Procedural Safeguards.
Understanding Parent Rights
Learn more about our statewide Parent Involvement Survey
New to Special Education
Access resources that can help you learn more about special education.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Find answers to common questions about PDSES eligibility, applying, using funds, and service providers.
New to Special Education, Determine Eligibility
The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Access PDSES resources, including guides, purchasing rules, program overviews, and district support materials.
Dispute Resolution
Early Resolution offer a quick, collaborative way for families and schools to resolve special education concerns before formal complaints.
Evaluation, Requesting an Evaluation, Determine Eligibility
Child Find helps identify and support children with disabilities in Texas, ages 3–21, who may need special education services.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Explore approved PDSES service providers, vendors, and how to join the marketplace.
New to Special Education
Learn about the eligibility requirements for special education services under IDEA and explore the 13 qualifying disability categories.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Learn how to apply for PDSES, explore application FAQs, and access Parent Portal resources.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
Learn about the PDSES program, who qualifies, and how to contact the team for help.
Understanding Parent Rights, ARD Committee Meetings, New to Special Education, Evaluation
Understand your parental rights and the Prior Written Notice schools must give for special education decisions.