Disability-Rights Groups Spar Over Special Ed. Restraints

A Senate bill that would prohibit restraint and seclusion from being used to control students with disabilities is causing a split among some disability-rights advocates.

The bill , sponsored by U.S. Sens. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., and Richard M. Burr, R-N.C., would place an absolute ban on certain restraining techniques, such as holds that impede breathing or mechanical and chemical restraints. Other types of restraints and seclusion could be used only if a student was a serious danger to himself or others and less-restrictive interventions would be ineffective.

But the measure does allow restraints or seclusion to be included as a planned intervention in a student's individualized education program if the student has a...