There are various laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the eligibility criteria of disabled children in Illinois and these have been formulated by the Illinois General Assembly. Therefore, the eligibility criteria for deaf, dumb, blind and otherwise disabled students differ and these are checked by a multidisciplinary staff to ascertain the degree and nature of the disabilities. Furthermore, the laws instruct state schools to educate disabled students along with the normal students to the highest extent possible. In case the child's mother tongue is not English, the initial interactions and classes will not be done in English until such time it is seen that the student has understood things properly in his mother tongue.
The schools that offer education for disabled children often design their courses on certain objectives to be achieved in the course of the study. These are generally development of thinking capabilities in certain specific areas, achievement of goals of respective students, meeting academic goals and even imparting social skills. One such school that is run on these lines is Acadia Academy. These endeavors are coupled with therapeutic and diagnostic treatment centers to better analyze the problems of the children and suggest remedies for the same.
This is another Illinois state school run on the funds provided by the state. Beard Special Education Center delivers treatment and relief for the emotionally disabled, autistic children and children who take time to understand. Its approaches revolve around discrete trial and sensory integration. It also takes into consideration public talking circles and various group activities. This school also offers various therapies based on art, music and behavior. The target group of this school is three to nine year old kids and the entire scheme is funded by the Chicago Public School system.
Stuart G. Ferst School is yet another state-funded school for disabled children in Illinois. It has coeducational study facilities and caters to a large number of learning and other disabilities. It has provisions to treat emotional disorders as well as behavioral ones, injuries related to brain that are traumatic by nature, and even care for autistic children and kids who suffer from various related disorders. It employs floor-time (one-on-one) teaching and caters to children age seven or older.