LRS and OCECD urge Ohio Dept. of Education to establish policies restricting use of restraint and seclusion

Ohio Legal Rights Service (LRS) and the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), concerned about the continued use of restraint and seclusion in Ohio's schools, sent a letter to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) reiterating their request that the Department adopt rules regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in school settings. According to the letter, a State of Ohio Policy issued in May 2010 established minimum standards required to implement safeguards and oversight when using physical restraint or seclusion practices. The policy also instructed specific state agencies, including ODE, to develop policies to that effect. However, ODE has yet to establish policies that specifically address the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.

The letter asks ODE to advise LRS and OCECD on the Department's plan to comply with the State Policy, concluding that "we look forward to the day when ODE provides sorely needed protection of Ohio's schoolchildren from dangerous and abusive practices."

Read the letter from LRS and OCECD: Status of State Policy on Restraint and Seclusion Practices (PDF file)

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