DREDF Seeks Information about Special Education Students in California County Jails & Adult State Prison

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is conducting an investigation into whether young people with disabilities are receiving special education and related services as guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We are interested in information about county jails anywhere within the state of California, or within the California state prison system for adults. In particular, we are interested in contact from or on behalf of people who have all of the following characteristics:

  • youth ages 18-21;

  • previously identified as special education students in the California public school system;

  • have not yet received a high school diploma; and

  • currently or recently incarcerated in a county jail in California or adult state prison facility.

If you are interested in contacting us, we request information including:

  • your name and contact information (including CDCR number and housing if you are currently incarcerated, mailing address, city and a telephone number or e-mail address);

  • detail about the disability and special education history of the student;

  • which California county jail or state prison facility;

  • date(s) of incarceration

  • whether special education and related services were or are being provided.

Any communication will be treated as confidential to our office. However, if you contact us DREDF staff may respond to you by telephone or e-mail to follow up on the information that you provide, unless you explicitly tell us not to contact you. You may contact us as follows:

Attn: Special Education in California County Jails & Adult State Prison>
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF)
2212 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel: 510.644.2555 (V/TTY)
Fax: 510.841.8645
E-mail: hmin@dredf.org