Education Advocacy

Inclusive school communities are educational settings in which students with disabilities have opportunities to participate and receive support in all aspects of school life alongside peers who do not have disabilities. In an inclusive system, special educators, specialized instructional support personnel, general educators, and other education personnel work together to address the needs of students with disabilities. By collaborating, these educators better support the learning and participation of all students. Furthermore, research demonstrates that a learning community is better, richer, and more effective when students with disabilities are full participants.

A back-to-school tip sheet to help parents and students off to a great start to the new school year. Includes helpful tips for 1-2 weeks before the school year starts through the first 9 weeks.

Enhancing the lives of families when parents have learning difficulties. TASP brings together some of the most knowledgeable and committed professionals and self-advocates to help YOU make a difference. Our work is mainly centered around education (through conferences, webinars, and direct training), advocacy at the local and national level, direct support for parents and professionals, and resource sharing.

In the Barton Lab Dignity and Disability section you will find resources related to treating children with disabilities with the respect and dignity they deserve. The series provides recommendations for practitioners who work with young children with disabilities to support these children in a way that will set them up to thrive.

TEIS Press Center Brief: Developing IEPs that Support Inclusive Education for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities. IEPs of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities should be written to support inclusion in the general education curriculum and, ideally, the general education classroom. 

 This report is part of a five-report series on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that describes the legal and scientific basis for an inclusive versus segregated education, summarizes national patterns for educating students with disabilities in general education classes, examines federal and state guidance, and state compliance with federal mandates, describes effective educational practices for reducing segregation, and provides findings and recommendations for improvement.

Inclusive Schooling is an engaging community for educators, administrators and parents who seek to create more inclusive schools.

National PLACE Webinar will focus on the impact of Endrew F. on the families of children with disabilities at the IEP decision-making table!

DSAMT hosted self-advocate Rachael Mast and her mom, Jawanda Mast, Manager of Grassroots Advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for a workshop at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in 2016.

Family Engagement in Special Education is a collaborative project of The Arc Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Education. They help to empower parents and caregivers and increase family engagement in Special Education.

STEP is a statewide program in Tennessee that provides trainings and information on special education for parents and caregivers, free of charge. Free information, advocacy training, and support services to parents of children eligible to receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) who reside in Tennessee. (Birth through age 22). 

The Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) trains interested individuals to become special education advocates so they can provide instrumental and affective support to families of children with disabilities in Tennessee. Since its inception in fall of 2008, The VAP has trained more than 250 advocates across the state.

Accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.