Help Me Support Vashon's Special Needs Kids and Teachers

Our school district is struggling to properly support kids with disabilities, and it's not an accident.

Our Special needs student population has grown by 6%, yet critical supports like IEPs and 504 plans have actually decreased during the same period. Parents and staff regularly report receiving false or incorrect information at meetings with the District, or even in some cases denials for any support at all. The District's attorney recently left parents and teachers stunned when he disallowed discussion of disability supports during an IEP meeting, stating that the parent must seek relief through ADA rights, not IDEA. This is the crux of many challenges in our system. A foundational mismatch between the intent and the application of special needs educational supports.

Such decisions have contributed to a painful rift between special needs families and our otherwise outstanding teachers and student community. People who desperately want to help are being blocked at every turn. VISD has lost enrollment of incredible students and staffing of outstanding educators because of this.

Changes in administration are needed, and I have faith they will come. But we also need to rebuild – to grow our inclusivity and model what real community support looks like. Staff need backup when they know what a student needs but get denied. Parents and medical teams shouldn't be forced into lengthy, combative evaluation processes that helps no one. And the District, from Board Policy down to basic procedure and staff training, need to be enhanced and in line with the intent of educational support laws.

I don't have all the answers, but I do have the ability to learn and the commitment to sit with parents, students, and staff to understand what they need and figure out how to get it.

I'm a Vashon farmer with disabilities and a parent of a special needs child. I've spoken with many of you who've faced these challenges, and I've listened to your stories. Now I want formal training so I can actually help.

This spring, I'm taking the full Special Education Law and Advocacy Series (SELAS) at the University of San Diego School of Law – six seminars covering IDEA, legal rights, and practical advocacy strategies. The course costs $500.

That's what I'm asking for.

If you'd like to support this training and help me become a more effective advocate for our community, please donate. If you're interested in taking this program as well, or know a community member who is, I will help facilitate and fund you/them as well.

Note: I'll also be seeking additional ADA-specific training, as that's where our district has some of its most significant gaps.