youth with disabilities

As you read these young adults' stories, you'll learn about the laws that protect their rights. You'll discover the history behind these laws, and you'll find out exactly which rights are protected.

Explains what it means for a child to have special needs, lists physical and mental disorders that quality as special needs, discusses the history of discrimination against children with special needs, and looks at laws designed to protect their rights.

Chronicles the life of Mattie J.T. Stepanek, who was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy--Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy--and became a bestselling author and inspirational speaker before his death at age fourteen. Includes excerpts from his poetry.

Discusses the passage and enforcement of laws protecting young people with special needs and examines how such laws relate to education, medical care, and equal access to jobs, public places, and social services.

Describes the causes and effects of and therapies for cerebral palsy, amputation, traumatic spinal cord injury, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy, and features a short story about a teenage girl who, missing her best friend who moved away, reluctantly gets to know her new neighbor, who has a physical disability.