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Empowering Families. Accelerating Success.

disabilities

The Power in Wondering

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We all wonder. We wonder about the future and what it holds for us and for our loved ones. We wonder about our careers, our relationships, and our contributions to our community.  Some of us wonder about accessibility:  As a parent, how do I know if my son will be able to access the curriculum […]

18 Ways to Help a Special Needs Family in 2018

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Why special needs families need help: Before I became a parent, I thought a little extra hard work would be enough to make it through the valleys of parenthood. When I became a special needs parent, goodness, I realized how wrong I was.

3 Reminders for Parents of Kids with Disabilities in 2018

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1. You are an expert in your child You know your child best. You have watched your child grow, tracked milestones, and sought help when your parental instinct told you something might not be quite right. You know the techniques that will calm an outburst, the language that will get your child back on task, […]

Yes, I look tired. This is why I don’t care.

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Last week my son stood up on skates for the first time on his own. I cannot express the intense emotion that swept over me at that moment, but I suspect you know the feeling. Pride, joy, love, glee. It isn’t the skating part that I care about. It is the perseverance and determination. Despite […]

The Resources Are There. How Can We Connect More Families to Them?

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The stress, emotion, and confusion that accompany a diagnosis for your child can be overwhelming. We are excited to share an article by Ricki Meyer, Exceptional Lives’ Director of Policy and Legal Operations, that discusses how our free resources can help parents and caregivers navigate the various disability systems and accompanying emotions upon receiving a diagnosis […]

Ask the Attorney: What is the RISE Act and How Can It Help My College-Aged Student?

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The Respond, Innovate, Succeed Empower (“RISE”) Act is a piece of legislation that, if it becomes law, will make college more accessible for students with disabilities, especially those who have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Ask the Attorney: Five Rights Parents of Children with Disabilities Need to Know

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I’ve heard I have some rights as a parent who has a child with disabilities, in addition to my child’s rights. Can you tell me about these parental rights? The federal law which mandates all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE) also includes a host of rights for you – the […]