20 Feb 2002
Federal Law Provides Free, Appropriate Public Education to All Children
DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District's Child Find program is designed to identify, locate and evaluate any child with known or suspected disabilities to determine whether a need for special education and related services exists.
DISD offers comprehensive special education services to eligible children. A free, appropriate, public education with a full continuum of services is available until the age 21.
Public school services include screening in areas of suspected disabilities, such as vision, hearing, motor skills, speech, language and general development. Evaluations in the schools are provided for several areas of suspected disabilities, including learning disabilities, speech and language development, physical impairments, vision or hearing problems, mental retardation, emotional disturbances, autism/pervasive developmental disorders, health impairments, or traumatic brain injuries.
All referrals are confidential, and services are provided at no cost. The parent, legal guardian or surrogate parent retains the right to refuse services and are provided other procedural safeguards under federal and state law.
For more information concerning eligibility criteria and referral procedures, Dallas residents can also contact the Dallas Independent School District's 24-Hour Child Find Referral Line, (972) 502-6031; for Spanish, call (972) 502-6149.