Disability law can be complex and intimidating, so how can concerned parents use it to ensure their child with a disability receives the appropriate education they are legally entitled to? A Guide to Special Education Advocacy gives strategies for advocating for better provision of special education in schools. Despite the many services and accommodations that have been made for students with disabilities, such as the use of Braille or providing specialized education in a regular or special classroom, many children with disabilities do not get the services they need and are not placed in appropriate programs or settings. Because of this, the perception of disability often remains unchanged. Matthew Cohen's insightful manual gives a practical vision of how a parent or a professional can become an advocate to achieve a more inclusive and rewarding education for the child with a disability. This book will provide parents, people with disabilities, professionals and clinicians thinking about special education advocacy with an overview of current disability law and how it works, identifying practical ways for building positive and effective relationships with schools.

This handbook is designed: (1) to empower individuals working with people who have disabilities to be a force for meeting the policy challenges in the communities in which they live and work; and (2) to help them to channel their strength, commitment, and knowledge of the special education field into effective advocacy efforts. The handbook includes background and technical information to help in implementing positive special education policies. It describes the history and evolution of current concerns and explains successful advocacy efforts upon which to draw. It discusses the basic tools for advocacy, which include knowledge of the legislative or regulatory process, effective communication skills, and effective access to the media. It illuminates what motivates both elected and non-elected officials, what catches their attention, and what makes them respond and demystifies policy-making. The handbook also offers advice on building coalitions, framing key issues, packaging important information, and using the media as a tool to advance a cause. A glossary and several masters for overhead transparencies conclude the handbook. (Contains 13 references.) (CR)

Help all students reach their full potential. Make the right decisions! This unique book offers practical tools and strategies to help you become a strong advocate for every student in your school. With real world examples and situations, this book will help you: • Acquire skills to change your students’ lives for the better -- and also reach district goals. • Learn how to advocate for students even if it conflicts with district policy. • Discover how to transform your staff so they will also serve as student advocates. • Strengthen connections with parents to engage them with their child’s education. Also included is how to be an advocate for special needs students. The book opens with a private self-assessment to help you discover where you are on the continuum of student advocacy. It then leads you through the steps to develop the traits of a skilled advocate for students. There are application exercises and numerous examples of what works. Supported by research references in every chapter, the book details a rich variety of interventions you and your staff can use on a daily basis. It focuses on curricular as well as co-curricular programs including subject-matter offerings, the fine arts, athletics, technical programs, clubs, recreational activities, and other programs. As the principal, it is your advocacy that will make a powerful, lifelong difference for all the students in your school. Also available – PowerPoint slides for in-service professional development or for principals who wish to discuss this topic with their staff.

Explains how the school system works, what services are available, and what rights are protected under federal laws.

Aimed at parents of and advocates for special needs children, explains how to develop a relationship with a school, monitor a child's progress, understand relevant legislation, and document correspondence and conversations.

"Portions of this book appeared in a different format in ABA Child Law Practice, published by the ABA Center on Children and the Law."--Title page verso.