Disability Deception has been out since September 2007! It has been an awesome year with a lot of opportunities to spread the truth about special education, and help parents overcome lies and deceptions of some special education personnel!
Below are a few opportunities that I have had this year:
1. I spoke at a parent empowerment conference in Virginia Beach Virginia September 2007. My presentation was entitled "Letter Writing for Success!" I also participated in a panel with other participants, and we discussed recent Supreme Court Rulings related to Special Education that would affect parents. I had the opportunity to meet Sandy Winkelman, who had her case heard in the US Supreme Court. The case Winkelman vs. Parma (Parma Ohio), was to decide if parents could represent themselves in court hearings without an attorney. The Winkelmans won, and now parents may represent themselves in court IDEA cases.
2. I Spoke at a parent conference in Plainfield Illinois entitled "Advocacy Strategies!"
3. I presented for a group of parents in Illinois from the organization Mothers on a mission. The presentation was entitled "Conflict Resolution: Special Education Style!" The conference was well attended, and parents state they learned a lot of new information to help them advocate for their child.
4. Disability Deception was reviewed by my local newspaper The Daily Journal. The Editor's name is Phil Angelo and he stated that "Disability Deception may be the most practical guide ever compiled for parents whose child needs special education services!"
Thanks Phil! More of the review is on the home page of this Web site.
5. I was asked to post some information about the book and state complaints on a blog, which I did. The blog can be seen at:
http://advocate4kids.org/;blog/?p=38&preview=true
6. I was nominated by a college friend for Olivets Most Interesting Person Award (I am an alumni of Olivet Nazarene University). I was among the top 10 finalists. And as part of this nomination, I gave an interview for their radio station and alumni newsletter!
7. A group named SNAFU (Special Needs Advocates for Understanding) from California has put me on their "Parent's Guide to Autism." Disability Deception is recommended as a resource. Thank you SNAFU!
8. Disability Deception was mentioned by Greg Wiatt in an add for his new educational advocacy business! The add was run in the Autism Advocate Magazine! Thank you Greg!
Gregs Web site is:
www.autismnews.com
9. I was interviewed by Stan Goldman from Sr. Dad. The interview was entitled "Do school districts lie to parents of extra needs children?" I enjoyed the interview, and have received a lot of positive feedback from the interview. You can find the interview at:
http://srdad.com/SrDad/Autism/Autism.html Thank you Stan!
10. I was interviewed by Michael Schaugnessy from
www.ednews.com. The interview can be found at the above address. Thank you Michael!
11. Because many parents have contacted me about discipline issues I have developed an E book entitled: Behavioral Basics; What Every Parent Needs to Know to Improve Their Child's School Behavior. More information on the E book is on the E book page of this Web site.
