Hey there,
I remember those days, when our son Dylan was 3 years-old and we were asking for something our district never really thought about before...
having preschoolers with disabilities learn alongside their non-disabled classmates in community preschools.
At the time, our district had what they saw
as a great option, a special education preschool with an amazing teacher (who happened to be a friend and colleague). It was a play-based program (I loved the curriculum) with a mix of 50% disabled preschoolers and 50% non-disabled peers.
For 1991, that was considered progressive. But even though it looked good on paper, Jim and I said, “No thanks.”
We didn’t want a segregated preschool. We wanted Dylan to be fully included. To have the
chance to learn, play, and grow alongside kids his age.
But that decision didn’t come without a fight (AKA filing for due process).
We walked out of meeting after meeting feeling worn down, exhausted, and on the verge of giving up.
There were days when it felt like we were speaking another language trying to explain the concept of
natural proportions (let me know if you want to know about natural proportions) for inclusion.
I can’t tell you how many times I thought about throwing in the towel and just going along with their plan.
But thankfully, I had a lifeline. My dear friend Kathie Snow (author of Disability is Natural) was always there. She let me cry. She gave me pep talks when I felt hopeless. And she kept
reminding Jim and me of one powerful truth:
“Don’t give up. Don’t settle. Speak up for what Dylan deserves.”
And because we didn’t back down, we made a difference. But I’ll never forget how hard it was to find our voice and how close we came to letting it disappear.
I’m sharing this because I know what it feels like to walk out of a meeting, feeling like you’ve been talking to a brick
wall.
I know what it’s like to feel ignored, dismissed, or told, “This is how we’ve always done it.”
And if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you know
that feeling too.
Maybe you’ve spent hours preparing for IEP meetings, only to have your ideas brushed aside.
Maybe you’ve written emails, shared your concerns, and walked in with research, only to leave feeling like your
voice never even made it into the room.
Or maybe you’ve been told your child needs something “special,” when all you want is for them to be fully included, valued, and seen for who they are.
Here’s the truth: If your voice isn’t seen, heard, and written in the IEP, it doesn’t exist.
But that can change.
Because on Thursday, May 15th at 10 am Mtn. Time, I’m going LIVE on The Art of Advocacy Facebook Page, and I’m going to show you exactly how to make sure your voice is not only heard but SEEN and WRITTEN in the IEP.
What You’ll Learn:
🔆 The 3 biggest mistakes you may have made that causes your voice to disappear.
🔆 A simple email strategy to guarantee your concerns appear in the IEP, word for word.
🔆 How to create a clear, trackable process so your input can’t be ignored.
🔆 How to speak up without being seen as “difficult”, but also without being ignored.
