Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

Our Name Has Changed

The Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) has officially changed its name to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). This change more accurately reflects the population we serve and combats the stigma tied to the word “disability.” It raises the profile of students with disabilities in CPS to further remove barriers and provide access to all educational environments. Our new name is intended to provide clarity to CPS families when seeking support for their children with disabilities, and offer more direct access when looking for information about special education services. You may see that our old name is still on certain CPS web pages and documents. We are working to update all communications to reflect our new name.

What We Do

We provide the tools, guidance, support, and services necessary to ensure that every student with disabilities receives meaningful, rigorous, and relevant access to grade-level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the  school closest to their residence.

Responsible for:

• Providing both direct and consultative services to students with disabilities, including students with physical, visual, or hearing impairments, as well as those who must receive services in a hospital setting due to a medical or psychiatric condition
• Providing guidance for special education and limited general health requirements, as well as medical compliance and direct and indirect mandated IEP/504 Plan services
• Supporting CPS educators so they can provide high-quality instruction that meets the needs of each student with a disability
• Ensuring the district’s compliance with federal and state laws governing the identification, evaluation, placement, and provision of a free and appropriate public education, including procedural safeguards, for students with disabilities
• Providing financial and operational support to schools, networks, and central office departments, including the allocation of special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and centrally managed related service providers to schools
• Designing, coordinating, and implementing all OSD professional development and learning, and follow-ups, which include progress monitoring and evaluation of professional development effectiveness for central office, networks, and schools
• Overseeing nursing services in schools that are necessary to ensure all students receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) via their IEP or 504 Plan.