Feature Articles: Disabilities
Advocacy Begins With You:
Special Education Advocacy
By Nakeisha Ferguson, M.A. Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services
Advocacy is defined as the act of speaking or writing in
support of something. While organizations such as MO
Protection & Advocacy, MO Planning Council, and the UMKC-Institute
for Human Development offer helpful resources and
services, advocacy really begins with you. This article
is designed to offer suggestions in increasing
self-advocacy for individuals and their families with
disabilities.
In Special Education, parents have the primary
responsibility of ensuring their child’s rights are
upheld. IDEA and other laws that protect the rights of
children with disabilities were enacted mainly through
the efforts of parents. According to MPACT (Missouri
Parents Act), as a parent, you are your child’s most
important advocate for his or her healthcare, education,
and overall development. In addition, parents also serve
as models for their children in learning how to
communicate effectively and advocate for themselves.
That is why parents must become effective communicators
and advocates.
Here are several suggestions that may help you to
advocate for your child or yourself. First, you must
believe in your rights. Remember that you are an equal
partner with the professionals working to help your
child. This concept is the basis for a good advocacy
relationship.
It is also important to have a clear vision. Knowing
what you are hoping for in your child’s future can be
helpful for teachers and staff. Be realistic and
optimistic in all of your goals.
Organization and prioritization is very important as
well. Set up a home filing system to record information,
contacts, records, evaluations and IEP’s. This will
assist in the decision making as well as choosing the
most important issues for your child.
Additionally, understanding your child’s disability
is necessary in advocating for them. Knowing how your
child’s disability affects his/her need to learn puts
you at an advantage when offering suggestions. In many
cases, parents usually know more about their child’s
specific disability than the school professional
involved in decision making.
Being Familiar with the laws that affect the rights
of your child is very important as well. Take advantage
of classes that may be offered that explain the laws and
your rights and responsibilities as a parent in the
special education process.
If you have any concerns or issues you want to
address, follow the chain of command and start by
talking to the teacher. Give the teacher the opportunity
to address your question. Be sure to offer solutions
when you discuss problems and remain principled and
persistent in receiving an answer and fixing the
situation.
Finally, develop a sense of humor. Being able to
smile in the hardest times can help the entire process.
For more information about advocating for your child, contact MO P&A at 1-800-392-8667, TDD 1-800-735-2966 or visit us on the web at www.moadvocacy.org.
** from the Missouri Disability Network Newsletter—January 2004. Used with permission.
Last update: Sunday, April 06, 2008
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