August 12, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (David Smollar) PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS San Diego City Schools provides special education and related services to students who meet eligibility for one or more of the following disabilities: Deaf Deaf/Blind (D/B) Hard of Hearing (H/H) Mentally Retarded (MR) Multi-handicapped (MH) Orthopedically Impaired (OI) Other Health Impaired (OHI) Emotionally Disturbed (ED) Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Speech and Language Impaired (SLI) Visually Impaired (VI) Autistic (AUT) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Programs and services for eligible pupils from birth through age 21 are provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and accompanying federal and state regulations. The delivery of special education in San Diego City Schools is described in the district’s Local Plan for Special Education. A continuum of program options is available based on the identified needs of the student and the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team. These options include: Support in General Education Settings Nonpublic Schools (NPS) State Schools  Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) Programs are provided for students from birth to age 5. Educational and family services are provided for eligible students. For information related to early childhood services, please contact the Special Education Early Childhood Department at (619) 496-8280. For further information regarding special education programs and related services, please contact your neighborhood school or the Special Education Programs Division at (619) 225-3608. Information is also available on the division’s web site at: www.sandi.net/specialed.