Kids rely on their parents, family members, friends, child advocates, to speak on their behalf.
We are asking you to step up to the plate on Tuesday, May 6 by calling your Congressional Representatives (202-224-3121) (TTY 202-225-1904) and asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 4188, the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act (H.R. 4188).
The IDEA Fairness Restoration Act allows parents who prevail in due process or litigation under IDEA to be reimbursed for their expert witness fees — an expense few parents can afford. This bipartisan bill will help to level the playing field for parents of children with disabilities.
Be a hero – speak up for the kids. After you call, you’ll feel like you’re 12 feet tall!
Your Game Plan: Here’s what to do.
Nina: No need to feel embarrassed. It’s good that you called. Now you that your Representative is on our side. ~ Pam
I just called my representative to urge his support of H.R. 4188, but somewhat to my embarrassment (and also pleasure) found out that the bill originated in his office! (My congressman is Chris van Hollen of Maryland’s 8th District.)
Just keep on with more of the same. I have raised two special needs children. Both are young adults. One did not “make the cut” so to speak. They said she was “too smart” for special ed, but in fact, did not graduate high school because the anxiety, personality disorder, depression and TS took over! The younger one had the advantage of me going full force advocate on the same district and insisting the plan be in place. He just finished his first year in college and has managed to come up with a plethora of compensatory behaviors.
After ten years of parenting, I went back to school for a Master’s in Education and Special Ed and taught for 2 years and could not do the things my administrations asked me to without walking out at the end of the day with a knot in my stomach based on the unethical standards these schools held. When this position was advertised, I knew it was mine. They wanted all my background, and my parenting, the unpaid experience, actually made the difference.
Thank you very much for the conversation. I’m glad that I joined the site and am receiving the emails, and can make a difference!
I think just continuing to post “real life” events and victories for those parents that continue to fight the fight is the best thing you can do!
Please note the additional contact information and phone numbers for Calling-In!
Tuesday, May 6 call your Congressional Representatives (202-224-3121) (TTY 202-225-1904) and ask that they co-sponsor H.R. 4188, the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act (H.R. 4188).
Please call on May 6. Do not send an email. We need Congress to hear our voices. When many people call, Congress listens.
However, If for some reason you cannot call, you can email your Representative at Write Your Representative (http://www.house.gov/writerep).
To NF-
Thanks for all YOU are doing. If the members of the Parent Advisory Council call their Representative, that act alone will make a big difference. If each member can get one more person to call, that would probably be unprecedented and will make a big impression on the member of Congress.
If you can think of anything else we can do to persuade people to take action, I’d love to hear about it.
-Pam
Then I’m so glad that I’m now subscribed. I’ve recently started a new job as an advocate for persons with disabilities, and I intend to send the page out to my Parent Advisory Council to help pass the word. Thank you for doing what you do. Your website and information has become invaluable to me in my new position.