Your Child > Advocacy > Being an advocate for your child
Being an Advocate for Your Child
Parents Speak About Advocacy
I have recently been feeling a sense of awe about the words, 'you have power as a parent,' and what it means to be a 'Parent Advocate'.
~ Read Vivecca Hartman's Journey to Becoming a Parent Advocate
As your child passes through the educational system, you will need to acquire knowledge and information about the educational issues facing him or her. As a matter of fact, you will need to become your child's "best" advocate. You will find yourself working on behalf of your child, to make sure that the specialized educational services, guaranteed in the federal laws, are actually available in your state or local school district. We want our children to reach their full potential. Read Mary Zabelski on Becoming Your Child's Best Advocate
Susan Tachau is a parent who has been advocating for more than two decades
on behalf of her son Michael. She sums up the lessons she has learned.
- Most importantly, parents and family members are a child's best advocates.
- Get involved in coalitions, parent associations, and support groups.
- Go to public hearings.
- Attend rallies and participate in legislative visit days.
- Get to know the staff in local offices of your Congressional delegation.
- Build on small victories and positions of strength.
- Respond to requests from government agencies for public comment on policy changes.
- Search disability Web sites; you'll be surprised at what you can learn.
- Be patient and be prepared to hang in there for the long haul.
- And above all, never give up!
Families as Partners in the Educational Team 
In this video Dr. Katharine Shepherd, Project Director: Parents as Collaborative Leaders Program and Susan LaVenture, Executive Director: National Association of Parents of Visually Impaired Children share their expertise and passion for supporting parents in developing leadership and advocacy skills.
Do you have a story to share?
Share your advocacy experience!
Resources to Support Parents as Advocates
- Deafblindness: Educational Service Guidelines
- DB Guidelines Companion Materials for Families
- Know Your Rights - Source: FamilyConnect
- FAST: Family Advocacy and Support Training Project
- Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) - Listed by State
- Partners in Policy Making
- Special Ed Law Blog
- Wrightslaw
- Parents as Collaborative Leaders
- Special Ed Advocacy: Nine Rules of Thumb
- Special Ed Justice Blog
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