Lived Experience of Dis/Abled Parents Advocating for Their Children Within the Individualized Education Program Process

• In Event: 63.084 - MTCC Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: 63.084-9 - Does It Have to Be Complicated? Honoring Voices and Experiences of (Disabled) Parents With Students With Disabilities

Abstract

The authors are parents with dis/abilities who have shepherded our dis/abled children through the IEP system. Our experience was that our dis/abilities drove discussion, rather than our children’s needs. School personnel failed to acknowledge our competence, or to provide accommodations when requested. Literature search yielded nothing about the experience of dis/abled parents, leading us to construct a research project to fill the gap. Primary research questions relate to the nature of the parental dis/ability, accommodations needed, staff attitudes, and impact of the above on the IEP process and outcomes.

Authors

• Jane Strauss, Square Peg Advocacy

• Patricia A. Rydeen, Independent Scholar