ANNOUNCEMENT – Restraint Survey
via COPAA
I include this today because the thought of these activities, let alone the actual descriptions of what has happened to our children, those least able to defend themselves, to seek protection, to tell others, chokes me up every time.
I’m still looking for anyone with IEP language regarding these issues.
APRAIS, The Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion, is a coalition of 16 national disability advocacy organizations. We are conducting this survey of parents and guardians to establish the extent to which restraint, seclusion and aversive procedures have been used with students with disabilities and special needs (whether served under IDEA or under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) in public or private schools or in residential facilities.
Please note: If you have completed any previous questionnaires on this topic or provided other information, the information you reported will not be included as a part of these results. You must complete this survey for your responses to be included.
The survey will be available for completion until October 12th, 2009. Approximately five to ten minutes will be required to complete the survey. You will find a link to the survey at the bottom of this email.
Definitions: For the purpose of this survey, the following definitions are used:
• Restraint: The use of physical procedures by one or more individuals or mechanical devices in order to limit freedom of movement. Example: Holding an individual in an immobile position for a period of time.
• Seclusion: Placement in an isolated area for an extended period of time and prevention from leaving the area. Example: Placing an individual in a locked room or closet.
• Aversive procedures: Actions taken against a person causing pain or injury. Example: Pinching or slapping an individual.
CAUTION: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY.
THE CONTENT OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE MAY EVOKE UNPLEASANT EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT PAST EXPERIENCES. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY AND IF YOU BEGIN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND DECIDE NOT TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MAY TERMINATE YOUR PARTICIPATION AT ANY TIME. THERE IS NO INDUCEMENT OR PENALTY FOR YOUR DECISION TO PARTICIPATE OR NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY. IF YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE BY ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO DO SO FREELY.
WE ARE NOT REQUESTING OR RECORDING ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION WITHIN THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND WE HAVE ARRANGED OUR DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES SO THAT WE CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO OUR QUESTIONS. ALL REPORTS OF THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS WILL BE IN AGGREGATE FORM, THAT IS, WE WILL REPORT NUMBERS BASED ON TOTAL RESPONSES, NOT INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES.
BECAUSE YOUR RESPONSE IS ANONYMOUS, IF YOU BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING REPORTED IN THIS STUDY CONSTITUTES ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE IS NO WAY FOR US TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION.
THERE ARE NO DIRECT BENEFITS (OR INDUCEMENTS) FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE STUDY. HOWEVER, THE AGGREGATE RESPONSES PROVIDED BY ALL WHO PARTICIPATE MAY AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL POLICIES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY OR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN IT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MS. BARBARA TRADER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TASH AT 202-540-9020 OR BTRADER@TASH.ORG; OR DR. DAVID WESTLING, PROFESSOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AT 828-227-3287 OR WESTLING@EMAIL.WCU.EDU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE STUDY, YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE CHAIRPERSON OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY’S INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD AT 828-227-7212 OR IRB@WCU.EDU.
BY ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY. IF YOU CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW SOME ANSWERS OR DO NOT WISH TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REFRAIN FROM ANSWERING.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KnCDtCkJDWAiaZRbNJ6BMA_3d_3d