Category Archives: Advocacy

48. Let’s Go To Court? Not If I Can Help It.

Posted on March 18, 2015 by

There is only one type of individual that OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs) has discouraged from attending an IEP meeting and that is an attorney. While school attorneys are not expressly forbidden from attending IEP meetings, they are strongly … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, IDEA, IEPs, OCR Complaint, Parent Involvement | Leave a comment

43. Community Accountability

Posted on July 1, 2014 by

In regard to disability, I have become convinced that the only sustainable way to achieve equality will not come from a trickle-down effect. As well-meaning as anyone would like to believe government passage of law to be, enforcement is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Disability, Inclusion | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

42. Never-Ending with No Closure Ever

Posted on June 11, 2014 by

Many years ago I entered into this disability advocacy field thinking I could have everything in control within five years. Yes, I mean everything.  As you may have guessed, I couldn’t have been more wrong . I didn’t really grasp … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, IDEA, IEPs, Inclusion, Parent Involvement, Parents Training Parents, Special Education | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

40. Trust Given Is So Hard To Get Back Once Lost.

Posted on March 31, 2014 by

Trust given is so hard to get back once lost. In the beginning, with blind trust in the professionals working with our child, there was never a need for conflict because there was an assumption that whatever was being done … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Dads, Disability, Early Intervention, Emotion, Fathers, Florida, IDEA, IDEA Information, IEPs, IFSP, Parent Involvement, Parents Training Parents, Public School, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

39. Understanding Chain of Command, Structure and Written Policy

Posted on March 10, 2014 by

Often parents will experience frustration because they have identified a problem, carefully documented the course of events, and then failed to achieve resolution because they sought enforcement from the wrong person or agencies. It is important understand what policies or … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Dads, Disability, Emotion, Fathers, Florida, IDEA, IEPs, Inclusion, Least Restrictive Environment, Parent Involvement, Public School, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

38. Advocating For Full Inclusion

Posted on February 26, 2014 by

Naturally occurring supports and services in school, neighborhood, and community are something we use every day in life and the greatest reason for advocating for full inclusion. For most of us being included is a right but for some individuals with … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Dads, Disability, Emotion, Fathers, Florida, IDEA, IDEA Information, IEPs, Inclusion, Least Restrictive Environment, Parent Involvement, Public School, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

37. Feeling the Power of Knowledge

Posted on February 4, 2014 by

Self-advocacy and self-empowerment begin once we start to acquire information.  What happens when finally we find the information lifeline and the light bulb of understanding becomes lit?  I have shared, previously, the frustration I felt when I did not have access … Continue reading →

Posted in 504, ADA, Advocacy, Dads, Disability, Emotion, Fathers, Florida, IDEA, IDEA Information, IEPs, Inclusion, Parent Involvement, Procedural Safeguards, Public School, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment