Restraint and Seclusion

In January 2009, a report from the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) identified the abusive use of restraint or seclusion nationwide by school administrators, teachers, and auxiliary personnel, which has resulted in injury, trauma and death to children with disabilities. The report (PDF file) includes two cases investigated by the Disability Rights Ohio, formerly known as Ohio Legal Rights Service, Ombudsperson section. NDRN has since released two follow-up reports.

Ohio is a state that has no restrictions on seclusion and restraint in schools. Disability Rights Ohio has urged the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to develop rules regulating restraints, seclusion and aversives. ODE's lack of rules provides little protection for Ohio's children, including those who are most often restrained: children with disabilities. Disability Rights Ohio will continue to represent students with disabilities who have been injured and traumatized during incidents of school restraint and seclusion and to press ODE to develop rules.

For more information about restraint and seclusion

• Timeline of events:
  • Restraint and Seclusion News
• Disability Rights Ohio publications and actions:
  • Ohio Legal Rights Service Investigative Report: Columbus City Schools Use of Seclusion Rooms (September 27, 2012)
  • Keeping Students Safe by Using Positive Behavior Supports to Prevent Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
  • LRS and OCECD urge Ohio Dept. of Education to establish policies restricting use of restraint and seclusion (January 6, 2011)
  • Special Edition Newsletter on Seclusion and Restraint (June 2009)
• Information from other organizations:
  • Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion
  • Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse
  • Coalition for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
  • Ending Restraint and Seclusion in Our Schools: Countdown to Congressional Action
  • How Safe is the Schoolhouse? (PDF file)
  • National Disability Rights Network
  • National Review of Restraint Related Deaths of Children and Adults with Disabilities: The Lethal Consequences of Restraint (PDF file)
  • OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavior and Interventions Support
  • Our Children Left Behind
  • Preventing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion with Young Children: The Role of Effective, Positive Practices (PDF file)
  • Restraint and Seclusion: Resource Document (PDF file) (U.S. Department of Education)
  • Shouldn't School Be Safe?
  • State DD Agency Policies on the Use of Restrictive Procedures
  • The Cost of Waiting (report from TASH)