What’s the difference? “State complaint” vs. “due process”

by Thomas Nichols | Jan 8, 2020 | Archives, Education, Featured, Self Advocacy

What is the difference between a state complaint and due process?   In our practice, I have heard parents, advocates, and even attorneys refer to these mechanisms interchangeably. Indeed, both State Complaints and Due Process Complaints are procedures intended to...

College bound? Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the transition

by Kyla Bishop | Nov 18, 2019 | Access, Archives, Education, Featured, Self Advocacy

High school students with disabilities may have questions about their rights as they transition from high school to college. While the Individuals with Disabilities Act (“IDEA”) ensures that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education, its...

FIRST PERSON: My name is Mollie…and I am blind. Ask me anything!

by Mollie Hernandez | Oct 23, 2019 | Accessibility, Featured, Self Advocacy, Service Animals

In case you haven’t heard, October is “Meet the Blind” Month. Although I’m not crazy about the name, I like the idea. So, here goes! My name is Mollie, and I am blind. Many people are not aware that blindness exists on a spectrum. This means that people...

Parents: a child’s first and best advocate, at any age

by Jacqueline Gorton | Aug 28, 2019 | Archives, Featured, Self Advocacy

On January 26, 1992 I started a journey of unknown distance. I didn’t have a map, a flashlight, or a compass. What I did have was an unrelenting commitment to make it to the finish line and learn all I could along the way. I wanted to see everything I could. I wanted...

I’m not broken: The danger of well-meaning assumptions

by Abigail Craig | Aug 7, 2019 | Archives, Featured, Self Advocacy

FIRST PERSON: We plan to occasionally publish blog posts that highlight the lived experience of people with disabilities. We’re proud to kick off the First Person blog feature with this piece by our own staff advocate Abigail Craig. If you have a story to tell,...

Guest Blogger Jackson Shaddox: It’s your right. Have your say!

by Jackson Shaddox | Jul 15, 2019 | Featured, Self Advocacy, Voting

July 15-21 is National Disability Voter Registration Week. Throughout the week, we’ll share articles and resources about voting: why you should vote, how you can register, and the difference we can all make when our voices are heard. To kick things off, we asked...