Provision of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DOD Dependents in Overseas Areas

Prior to 1991, the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) was required by the ``Defense Dependent's Education Act of 1978,'' as amended, to adhere to the provisions of the ``Education of All Handicapped Children Act.'' With the enactment of ``Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1991,'' the Department of Defense was required to modify its existing special education program for children with disabilities, ages 3 through 21, and to provide early intervention services to children birth through 2 years. This final rule assigns responsibility for the implementation of the Act to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, reflecting a reorganization of the Department of Defense; assigns responsibilities for duties previously assigned to Regional Directors to Area Superintendents, reflecting a reorganization of the DoDDS; requires DoD to provide early intervention services to children with disabilities from birth through 2 years of age, requires DoDDS to extend special education services to students from 3 through 21 years of age rather than from 5 through 21; expands the categories of disability to include both autism and traumatic brain injury; expands special education services to include both assistive technology and transition; expands the role of the DoD Coordinating Committee to include early intervention as well as special education and related services; establishes a DoD Inter-Component Coordinating Council on Early Intervention; expands the definition section to include terminology not contained in the previous part; and transfers the administrative responsibility for conducting hearings pursuant to this rule to the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals.