Advocacy and Support
Assessment:   See Guide to Education: Special Education
Inclusion:  See Guide to Civil Rights: Education Rights
School Violence:  See Guide to Education: Educational Issues
Additional Materials

Advocacy and Support

As a parent of a child with disabilities, acquiring the necessary services for their child can sometimes be difficult. Different organizations have been formed to help and support parents and guardians in reaching educational goals for their child.

Families and Advocates Partnership for Education
Families and Advocates Partnership for Education provides information, skills, and motivation for families, advocates, and self-advocates in bringing about improved educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Their main focus is to communicate information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)
The STOMP project provides military parents with the resources and the support they need to advocate for their child.

National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities outlines effective strategies for advocates and parents.

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
The education section of this website discusses rights and advocacy practices for students who are disabled.

Additional Materials

There are several resources that parents can use to help their disabled child succeed in school and the transition process.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities is a central source of information on disabilities. National programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities are listed. There is a link to state resources and a discussion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, No Child Left Behind Act, and effective educational practices.

University of Washington
The University of Washington hosts its DO-IT (Disability, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology) website for parents who are preparing their special needs child for college.

Special Child
Special Child is a resource for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. This site contains information on transition, inclusion, IEP's, and special education.

Exceptional Parent Magazine
Exceptional Parent Magazine is an online resource for parents and caregivers. It provides support, ideas, and encouragement for those caring for individuals with special needs.

The National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics site provides a database of schools, colleges and libraries. Details about both public and private schools are listed.

Helping Students Develop Their IEPs
This article outlines steps that can be taken to involve the student more fully in writing their own IEP.