In 2011, pepnet 2 launched the Deaf Learner Initiative (DLI). The goals of this initiative were to examine the existing paradigms, programs, pedagogy and relevant research related to the educational and vocational needs of deaf learners. The DLI was comprised of a variety of activities including the Deaf Learner Symposium, the creation of three…

Uses the authors' experiences in Texas to suggest some strategies that teachers and parents can use to affect the state legislative process. (MP)

This handbook aims to help parents of emotionally disabled children and professionals serving emotionally disabled children to put the concept of collaboration into practice, to understand the barriers to collaboration, and to develop strategies to overcome those barriers and promote a working partnership. Factors that may influence or inhibit the…

The Children's Center, a combined public and private day care center in Connecticut, was the site of a practicum intervention which was rooted in the belief that day care centers have the responsibility to defend childhood, link preschools and public schools, and engage in political advocacy for children. Major goals of the intervention were to:…

Focus group findings from 34 African American parents in an urban southern school district unmask subtle and concealed aspects of involvement. In contrast to formalized school-sponsored parent activities, involvement is described by participants as their encompassing a physical presence at the school to monitor their children's behavior, receiving…

The guide, intended to complement developed curricula for parents, professionals, and consumers concerning access and use of assistive technology, focuses on appropriate technology for young children with disabilities. A question and answer format is used to address: terms used in the guide, service considerations (e.g., the role of evaluation in…

This feature issue of IMPACT focuses on the empowerment of families with a member who has a developmental disability. It presents strategies and models for a collaborative, respectful approach to service provision, and presents the experiences of families in seeking support and assistance. Feature articles include "Two Generations of…

In October 1994 the President signed into law the "Improving America's Schools Act." Title I, the largest primary and secondary federal education program was reauthorized by this legislation, which, among other things rewrote the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The reauthorized law provides parents, advocates, and school…

This paper presents guidelines for creating a collaborative approach for communication among teachers, parents, and students to plan for their transition toward further education or work in adult life and to become informed self-advocates. Guidelines for teachers are presented and include: (1) establishing a system that places the student at the…

This theme issue provides an overview of how parents and professionals can be involved in advocacy efforts for children with disabilities, ages 3 and older. The guide begins with a definition of advocacy and a discussion of parents' and professionals' roles as advocates. It outlines legal rights, specific parental rights provided by the…

In order to assist professionals and policymakers more consistently engage parents in their work, this document uses the personal stories of several parents to illustrate how parents get involved in family programs and how some parents built on their natural leadership abilities to move from personal involvement to take on broader leadership…

This paper presents an analysis of current education services for students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the perspectives of children, parents, and educators. It presents results from several pilot surveys that asked parents and educators to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current educational services for students. Guidelines for…

This annotated bibliography of journal articles, manuscripts, books, and audiovisual materials provides information on resources available for parent training about supported employment and transition for individuals with disabilities. The resources are organized into the following categories: employment (59 resources); transition (93 resources);…

This report of a conference session dealing with recreation and leisure activities for people with deaf-blindness and other profound multiple disabilities contains three papers and a working group report. The title paper by Lori Goetz reviews "model indicators" for recreation and leisure educational programming with individuals who have severe and…

Since 1972, Head Start Policy Councils, Policy Committees, and Parent Committees have provided leadership supporting the involvement of parents in local Head Start programs. This video-based training package is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of Policy Council members and to positively influence participants' attitudes toward being a…