Answer:

Hi Laura,

I wish I could personally come to Honolulu and discuss my answer with you; however, , I will do my best via Ask a Specialist web site!

Our Middle and High School Transition Portfolios (M/HSTP) were developed for student with mild to moderate disabilities. However, since I am not sure of the ability levels of your student population, I will take a cue from your phrase “the presentation format is well adapted for student interest.” to mean that they function within the mild to moderate ability levels. It is great that you want your students to understand the various federal laws that will/may impact their adult lives at school and on the job. Understanding these laws can be confusing for adults, yet alone students.

Now, my response to your question is yes and no. There are many resources, but few are student friendly. I did found web sites that may meet your needs but they require that you create a document for your students at their ability levels (see web sites below). The Youthhood.org web site offers student activities on various disability rights topics.

Another thought may be that you create a collaborative research project for your students. For example, have them gather general information on ADA and create a question and answer document, collage, short essay, or true/false quiz. Using this approach helps develop student “buy in” to what might otherwise be a mundane and/or boring lesson (In their mines at least!) This should be fairly easy to accomplish.

I know my response did not give you a document that is written and ready to use, but the resources below and option described above may provide the impetus to generate a document that works for you and your students. Let me what you come up with.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) web site resources:

• http://www.ada.gov/publicat.htm
  ADA Regulations and Technical Assistance Materials – This site appears to be all inclusive from general documents, publications and information, and state/local government.

• http://www.ada.gov
  ADA home page – This web site offers information of federal resources and ADA publications.

• http://www.youthhood.org/government/index.asp
  Youthhood – This is one of my favorite sites! It has sections for teachers and students. The page that I have directed you to deals with students’ disability rights and responsibilities. You must register but it is free and considered a safe site. View a sample student activity dealing with ADA and disability rights on the job at https://www.youthhood.org/activities/activity71.asp?return=government/rd_ada.

• http://www.ada.gov/qandaeng.htm
  U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – At this site the focus is on ADA and employment concerns. The format is in question and answers form.