Massachusetts laws
MGL c. 6, § 133G Braille instruction for registrants; assessment
Massachusetts Braille Literacy Law. Affords legally blind adults the right to learn Braille through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
MGL c. 71B Children with special needs; including:
- § 3 Identification of school age children with a disability [...]
Entitles school-age children who are deemed legally blind to receive Braille instruction as part of their school's special education services. - §§ 12A - 12C Transitional planning ("Turning 22"); provides a transitional planning process for eligible people with disabilities who will lose special education services upon graduation or upon turning 22.
MGL c. 111G Early childhood intervention services
MGL c. 151C, § 2(e) Unfair practices
Schools may not exclude any student from admission because the student is blind or deaf or requires the use of a guide dog.
Massachusetts regulations
603 CMR 28 Special education regulations
Massachusetts state agency opinions
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
Includes information on the process as well as decisions and rulings from 1998 to date as well as Forms and Publications.
Federal laws
20 U.S.C. §§ 1400-1482 Individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA)
29 U.S.C. § 794 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Federal regulations
34 CFR Part 300 Assistance to states for the education of children with disabilities
45 CFR 84 Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance
Selected cases
A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, 604 U.S.____ (2025)
“Schoolchildren bringing ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims related to their education are not required to make a heightened showing of 'bad faith or gross misjudgment' but instead are subject to the same standards that apply in other disability discrimination contexts.”
Champa v. Weston Public Schools, 473 Mass. 86 (2015)
A "settlement agreement, regarding a public school's placement of a student who required special education services in an out-of-district private educational institution, between the public school and the parents of the student was exempt from the definition of “public records” ... and therefore not subject to disclosure... without a redaction of personally identifiable information..."
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, 580 U.S. 386 (2017)
"If that is not a reasonable prospect for a child, his IEP need not aim for grade-level advancement. But his educational program must be appropriately ambitious in light of his circumstances, just as advancement from grade to grade is appropriately ambitious for most children in the regular classroom. The goals may differ, but every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives."
Forest Grove School District v. T. A., 557 U.S. 230 (2009)
"IDEA authorizes reimbursement for private special-education services when a public school fails to provide a FAPE and the private-school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the child previously received special-education services through the public school."
Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools, 580 U.S. 154 (2017)
Students with disabilities may have protections under Section 504 as well as the IDEA. If a claim is filed under Section 504 and not tied to a denial of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), exhaustion of remedies under the IDEA is not required.
Schaffer v. Weast, 546 U.S. 49 (2005)
Attorneys for parents had argued that where a parent was dissatisfied with an IEP, the school district should bear the burden of proving an IEP sufficient, rather than the parents having to prove that it is insufficient. But the U.S. Supreme Court held that "the burden of proof in an administrative hearing challenging an IEP is properly placed upon the party seeking relief."
Web sources
Addressing the needs of students with disabilities in the IEP and in school bullying prevention and intervention efforts, Mass. Department of Education.
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative for Educators (CBHI)
Contains resources tailored to educators (including early childhood, elementary, and secondary) on CBHI services. It also has other resources to support collaboration between educators and behavioral health providers.
The civil rights of students with hidden disabilities and Section 504, U.S. Department of Education.
Disability discrimination, U.S. Department of Education.
Frequently asked questions on disability discrimination in education.
Disability rights in education, Mass. Office on Disability.
Mass. approved special education schools, Mass. Department of Education.
MassAbility Services for Students and Youth, MassAbility.
"MassAbility offers diverse support for students and youth with disabilities transitioning from high school. Career services focus on employment goals, while home and community programs develop leadership and independent living skills."
MCAS alternate assessment, Mass. Department of Education.
Provides links to requirements for participation, resource guide and more.
Parents' how-to guide on children's mental health services in Massachusetts, 3rd ed., 2011, Boston Bar Association.
Includes steps for getting help, paying for services, services in your child's school, and more.
Protections for students with disabilities who are being disciplined by school officials, Children's Law Center, June 2019.
Explains the unique legal requirements for disciplining special needs students.
Questions and answers addressing the needs of children with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's (IDEA's) discipline provisions, U.S. Department of Education, 2022.
Special education, Mass. Department of Education.
Includes information on IEPs, policies and procedures, resources for families and guardians, and much more.
Special education in Massachusetts, Children's Law Center.
Nice, clear guide to the special education process in Massachusetts from identification to assessment, IEP's and more.
Print sources
The complete IEP guide: How to advocate for special education services for your child by Lawrence M. Siegel, 11th ed., Nolo, 2023. (eBook available with library card)
Fundamentals of special education, Suffolk University Law School, Center for Advanced Legal Studies, 2014.
IEP and 504 plan legal workshop, NBI, 2020.
Nolo's IEP guide: Learning disabilities by Lawrence M. Siegel, Nolo, 2020. (eBook available with library card)
Special education and the law: A guide for practitioners by Allan G. Osborne Jr., 4th ed., Corwin, 2021.
Special education law in Massachusetts, 10th ed., MCLE, 2024.
Special education law from A to Z, NBI, 2018.
Working with children with special needs, MCLE, 2015.
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| Last updated: | July 8, 2025 |
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