Please read the NAPSEC Code of Ethics, print out the last page, sign and date.

Fax to NAPSEC at (202) 408-3340 or mail with dues payment. 

 

NAPSEC CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

The preservation of the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles is vital to the successful discharge of the responsibilities of all member programs and their staffs. This Code of Ethics is an effort to highlight the fundamental rules considered essential to that basic purpose. The failure to specify any particular responsibility or practices in the Code of Ethics shall not be construed as denial of the existence of other responsibilities or practices that are equally important. Any act that is in violation of the spirit and purpose of this Code of Ethics shall be an unethical practice. It is the responsibility of each member program to advise the Association of instances of violation of the principles incorporated in this Code. As a part of the Code of Ethics, we, the members of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC), reaffirm the basic rights of all persons with disabilities to the best possible education.

 

SECTION A

 

The ethical responsibilities of the member program require that the welfare of the persons served be considered paramount:

  1. The member program that engages in educational service shall employ appropriately qualified staff and shall be licensed by its State Educational Agency if available (if required.)

     

  2. The member program shall follow adequate patterns of professional conduct in relations with persons it serves:

     

    a.) A member program must not guarantee results or make false claims. A guarantee of any sort expressed, implied, or written is contrary to professional ethics. A reasonable statement of prognosis may be made but successful results are dependent upon many uncontrollable variables; hence, any warranty is deceptive and unethical.

    b.) A member program may not diagnose or treat individual disabilities by correspondence. This does not preclude follow-up by correspondence of individuals previously seen, nor does it preclude providing the person professionally served with general information of an educational nature.

    c.)  A member program will not knowingly initiate attempts to bring about the transfer of a client from another member program, nor will it accept a client without requesting from his/her former placement all pertinent information concerning the reason for the transfer and the client’s academic and personal records.

     

  3. A member program may not reveal to any person any confidential information concerning the individuals served without appropriate authorization, but upon receipt of an authorized request for records, will comply promptly, or give the reason why compliance is not possible or advisable.

     

  4. A member program may not exploit persons served by accepting them for treatment where benefit cannot reasonably be expected to accrue, by continuing the program unnecessarily, or by charging a fee in excess of that considered customary and reasonable for similar services.

     

  5. A member program must furnish services in accordance with any representations about the services, oral or written.
     

  6. The member program must use every feasible resource to help bring about improvement in those persons served.
     

  7. The member program must take every precaution to protect the physical and mental well-being of the persons served.
     

  8. To the extent possible, all tests or other evaluation procedures used for the purpose of classification and determination of the level of a person’s educational performance shall neither be racially, culturally, sexually, nor otherwise discriminatory.
     

  9. The person’s performance will be assessed at the appropriate intervals in order to assure the effectiveness of the program in meeting his/her needs.
     

  10. The member program shall not accept nor give gifts, fees, or other forms of gratuity for referrals.
     

  11. A member program must guard against conflicts of interest:

  1. It must not accept compensation in any form from a manufacturer or dealer in educational or prosthetic devices or from a representative of a pharmaceutical concern for recommending any particular product.

  2. It must not engage in the kinds of commercial activities that in any way conflict with its responsibilities to the persons served.

   12. A member program should aid in the education of the public regarding disabilities and other matters within its professional competence.

 

   13. A member program must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or sex in its relationships with other programs, professionals, or clients.

 

SECTION B

The responsibilities of the professional program staff include:

  1. Providing only those services for which they have been properly trained.

     

  2. Seeking professional discussion of all theoretical and practical issues but avoiding personal invective toward professional colleagues or members of allied professions.

     

  3. Establishing harmonious relations with the members of other professions and striving to increase understanding of their fields.

     

  4. Guarding against conflicts of personal interest:

  1. Not accepting compensation in any form from a manufacturer or dealer in educational or prosthetic devices or from a pharmaceutical firm, for recommending any particular product.

  2. Not engaging in the kinds of commercial activities which in any way conflict with their responsibilities to the person served.

   5.  Helping in the education of the public regarding disability issues and other matters within their professional competence.

 

I hereby agree to the above stated Code of Ethics:

 

Signature:__________________________________________Date:_________________

 

Title:___________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Program:_________________________________________________________

 

Thank you for giving NAPSEC the opportunity to represent you.