Special Education Community Event Calendar
Happy 50th Anniversary to Section 504!!!
Tuesday, September 26th was the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This was landmark legislation that paved the way for many of the disability rights we have today and it all started in San Francisco.
Check out these resources to learn more about Section 504:
- The 50th Anniversary of Section 504: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act: Through our History, Successes and Vision for the Future.”
- Short History of the 504 Sit in
- Section 504 at Fifty - Leaders in the Disability Rights Movement
- “The 50th Anniversary of The Rehabilitation Act: Past Present and Future,”
- Justice Department Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act
- Rehabilitation Act 50 - Advancing Equity Then, Now and Next
Monthly on Thursday's: FREE Support for Families Individualized Education Program (IEP) Clinics
Presented by SFCD. Offered in English, Spanish and Cantonese. Learn about Special Education law, the IEP process, what to do when things aren’t working, and how to become a more active and effective team member.
To register, please call our Warmline at 415-920-5040, email info@supportforfamilies.org,
or click the registration link below.
Presented in Cantonese: 1st Thursdays; 6-7:00pm
Presented in English: 2nd Thursdays; 4-6:00pm
Presented in Spanish: 3rd Thursdays; 4-6:00pm
Click here to register for the English IEP Clinic
Haga clic aquí para registrarse a la Clínica de IEP en español
ABOUT US
Monthly: NAMI SF Public Programming
Monthly Programs
Thursday, October 5 @ 6:00 - 7:00pm: Open House
Great opportunity to meet staff and learn about programs, resources, and volunteer opportunities. Monthly on the first Thursday. Zoom.
Thursday, October 12 @ 6:00 - 7:00pm: In Our Own Voice Presentation (Young Adult Edition)
Educational presentation - all about personal storytelling and humanizing mental health! Hear young adult speakers share about who they are, where they've been, and their recovery journey. In Our Own Voice is a core NAMI program. Part of event series: NAMI SF x Youth Mental Health. Monthly on the second Thursday. Zoom.
Saturday, October 14 @ 10:30 - 11:45am: Saturday Strolls
Community walk on Saturday morning! Led by NAMI staff/board. Meet at Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park and walk along the Pacific Ocean (closed section on Great American Highway). Monthly on the second Saturday. In-person.
Sunday, October 15 @ 10:00 - 10:45a: Community Art Class
NAMI SF is hosting free monthly art classes on the third Sunday of every month! Creating art can help focus, reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity and expression, and is a great way to engage in community. Open to folks of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Monthly on the third Sunday. Zoom.
October Programs
Thursday, October 19 @ 6:00 - 7:30pm: Second Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium: Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders
Second annual panel event featuring local mental health professionals. 2023 focus: anxiety and substance use. Designed to support youth mental health and provide practical information for families, caregivers, and educators caring for children and teens. Part of event series: NAMI SF x Youth Mental Health. Virtual via Zoom webinar.
Thursday, October 26 @ 6:00 - 7:15pm: Parents as Allies & Advocates
Educational program providing an overview of youth mental health. Parents as Allies & Advocates also features trained parent presenters who will share their story of supporting a child who experiences anxiety and/or substance use challenges. Part of event series: NAMI SF x Youth Mental Health. Virtual via Zoom webinar.
Lunes Nov 27 @ 10-11:30am: Educación Especial: Las Transiciones en la Educación Especial: Desde el Nacimiento Hasta la Edad Adulta
Regístrese para este evento aquí.
Mon Nov 27 @ 7:00 - 8:30pm: DREDF - Special Education: Early Childhood Transitions
Interpretation/Accommodations: If you need accommodations to participate in any of our training or presentations, please contact hmin@dredf.org or call 510 644-2555 as soon as possible. We generally need 10 days to arrange these, and we want to make sure you are included!
Note: We offer all our DREDF Special Education training in Spanish and post other training that may be of interest where we are participating but not hosting on our website as well. Visit DREDF's Special Education Trainings page for more information.
You must register in advance for this meeting, which can be done using this registration link.
Thurs Nov 30 @ 6:00 - 7:15pm: NAMI SF- Black/African American Mental Health 101 Presentation
NAMI San Francisco Presents: Black / African American Mental Health 101
This is a core community program addressing the Black / African American experience with mental health.
Black / African Americans face the unique struggles of ancestral trauma, institutionalized racism, violence, and mass trauma from the pandemic, along with racial and cultural insensitivity within the medical community. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to treatment.
This presentation speaks specifically to the unique challenges and experiences of Black and African American individuals who live with mental health conditions.
In this presentation, learn about contributing factors, generational trauma, coping strategies, local resources and supports, and how volunteer speakers (peers) manage their conditions. There will be a dedicated time for questions at the end.
This program is open to all community members. We hope to connect with you on November 30!
Wed Dec 6 @ 2-3:00pm: How Educators Can Help Students with Intellectual Disability to Think College
How Educators Can Help Students with Intellectual Disability to Think College
Students with intellectual disability want to go to college - and they can! But they can’t get there alone. They need educators who understand what skills are necessary to make it happen and will support them to achieve their goals. Think College created the “Think Higher. Think College.” public awareness campaign to inform and educate teachers, school administrators, support professionals, college staff and faculty, families, and students themselves that college is an option for students with intellectual disability. The public awareness campaign includes new tools to make the process easy to understand and doable. Join us for this free webinar to learn about the current picture of inclusive higher education in the US, hear from college students with intellectual disability from around the country, and learn from a panel of experienced educators how we can “Think Higher. Think College.” together.
During this webinar, you will:
- Attendees will learn about the current situation regarding college options for students with intellectual disability.
- Attendees will learn about new resources from the Think Higher. Think College. campaign.
- Attendees will hear from a panel comprised of two K-12 educators and a program director from an inclusive postsecondary education program about what options exist for students with ID, how to guide students to pursue college, and how to assemble a team to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college.
Meet our moderator and speakers
Dan Habib is the Inclusive Communities Project Director at the Westchester Institute for Human Development and the founder of LikeRightNow Films. He is the Director and Producer of Intelligent Lives, Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, and Mr. Connolly Has ALS. His current project is the Emmy Award-winning My Disability Roadmap, which he Co-Directed with his son Samuel Habib. Dan is also helping to lead a new public awareness campaign called “Think Higher – Think College,” which is part of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network Project. Habib gave the TEDx talk, “Disabling Segregation,” and served on President Barack Obama’s President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities from 2014-2017. Habib and his wife, Betsy McNamara, live in Concord, NH, and have two sons: Isaiah, 27, and Samuel, 23. |
Yuki Nishizawa is a teacher with 20 years of experience working with students who are neurodivergent/disabled. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Lesley University and is currently serving as a Transition Specialist at Brookline High School. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, where a pathway for employment for people with disabilities exists, Yuki maintains high expectations for each and every student she encounters. While at the Dr. William Henderson Inclusion K-12 School in Dorchester, MA, she developed a transition program and successfully started a pilot program with MassArt College, now known as the Aspire program as part of MAICEI. She’s also worked with her students to practice their employability skills at local businesses and non-profit organizations. |
Sean Phelan is currently in his 5th year of teaching at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas where he teaches students with extensive support needs. While attending the University of Kansas, Sean was a peer for KU – Transition to Postsecondary Education Program (KU-TPE), where he saw firsthand that individuals with disabilities can succeed in college. Those experiences have shaped his philosophies by instituting inclusive practices and enforcing high expectations for his students. Sean has helped transition many students to postsecondary programs after graduating from high school. |
Melissa Savage is an Assistant Professor in Special Education at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses on health and inclusive community participation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Savage is a co-principal investigator with UNT ELEVAR, a 4-year inclusive postsecondary education program for young adults with intellectual disability. As part of the ELEVAR program, she leads the UNT ELEVAR Transition Pathway program, working with partner K-12 districts to prepare high school students with intellectual disability, educators, and families for the next steps after high school. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Savage was a middle and high school special education teacher. |
Fri Dec 8 @ 11:00am - 12:30pm: Access SFUSD: The Arc Holiday Sing Along
Wattis Theater, 151 3rd St, San Francisco
Join AccessSFUSD: The Arc and the SF MoMA's Education Team for a holiday event to remember and plenty of merriment. Sing along to your holiday favorites alongside the musical artists of AccessSFUSD: The Arc, musical director Max Baker, and special guest appearances! RSVP now because space is limited and this event is NOT to be missed. Please designate at least 72 hours in advance if you need wheelchair accessible seating so accommodations can be made to the theater.
Sat Dec 9 @ 9:00 - 10:00am: Inclusion Access Hour at the Children's Creativity Museum
Hosted in partnership by: SFUSD, Support for Families, Children's Creativity Museum
The Children's Creativity Museum will open an hour early on Saturday, December 9th from 9:00-10:00am to host an inclusive celebration for Inclusive Schools Week surrounding this year's theme of "Draw Me In." If you are not able to attend in person, there will also be a virtual opportunity to participate! More details to come, but registration is open here!
Sat Dec 30 @ 11:00am: Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Performance
Learn more about this event and buy tickets here
This December, San Francisco Ballet is pleased to offer two Sensory Friendly Nutcracker experiences for people with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, plus their families, friends, and caretakers. We hope you'll join us as we celebrate this magical holiday tradition!
SENSORY FRIENDLY NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE
SF Ballet is delighted to present a Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on Saturday, December 30 at 11 am. This full-length performance will provide a relaxed environment for children and adults of all abilities to experience this magical holiday tradition in a safe and comfortable atmosphere.
In collaboration with our community partners from Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, SF Ballet has made special accommodations to the performance and theater-going experience to make neurodiverse audiences feel welcome to experience Nutcracker in a fun, accepting environment.
Tickets start at $25. Promo code for 20% off tickets* to the Dec 30 at 11 am performance: SENSORY23
SENSORY FRIENDLY DANCE-ALONG WORKSHOPS
SF Ballet is excited to offer three Sensory Friendly Dance-Along workshops this season open to all ages and abilities! These fun and interactive workshops will provide an engaging and accessible movement experience for neurodiverse audiences. Explore the characters, music, and story behind some of the most famous story ballets. Participate in a guided dance class that is specifically tailored to the sensory and behavioral needs of the individuals. Explore tactile activity tables, take-home arts and crafts activities, enjoy the quiet room, and more.
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Nutcracker Dance-Along on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 1:30 pm
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Swan Lake Dance-Along on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 1:30 pm
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A Midsummer Night's Dream Dance-Along on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Tickets are $25 per person per Dance-Along.
*Offer expires December 13, 2023. All sales are final. No refunds. Exchanges are subject to availability, restrictions, and fees. Casting, programming, and prices are subject to change. Tickets are subject to availability. Offer does not apply to previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with other offers. Discount does not apply to fees. Discount not valid for $25 tickets in Balcony Center and Balcony zones. Promo code is only valid for the Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker at 11 am on December 30, 2023.
Fri-Sat March 1-2: 2024 Literacy and Justice for All Symposium
Location: Oakland Marriott City Center
The Oakland Literacy Coalition’s Annual Literacy & Justice for All Symposium brings together school and community educators, practitioners, funders, leaders, influencers, and community stakeholders committed to sharing and learning effective strategies, approaches, and tools that address the literacy needs of all learners. This event provides fighters for literacy justice with expanded spaces for professional learning in community and a chance to collaborate with literacy allies and champions across the region.
Our work toward literacy justice is critical. 1 in 3 children who started school during the pandemic need extensive literacy support. At the state level, California has the lowest literacy rate in the country with only 77% of adults are considered mid to highly literate. In our hometown of Oakland, only 1 in 3 students are reading on or above their grade-level.
Disability and Special Education in the News
Check out these articles about the disability and special education.
November 2023
- An Open Conversation with Temple Grandin by By Anni Layne Rodgers via ADDitude Magazine
- Museum Makes Major Acquisition of Works By Artists With IDD by Tony Bravo via Disability Scoop/San Francisco Chronicle
- Honda Sees An Inclusive Mobility Future, From Wheelchairs to Battery-Electric Airplanes by Raymond Tribdino via CleanTechnica
- "My Disability Roadmap" Impact Report, American Film Showcase
- Longmore Institute on Disability November Superfest Newsletter
October 2023
- California’s K-8 Students Guaranteed Outdoor Time with New Recess Law
- Lost in translation: Parents of special ed students who don’t speak English often left in the dark
- Museum Makes Major Acquisition Of Works By Artists With IDD by Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle/TNS | October 27, 2023
- Non-Verbal Teen to 'Take on the World' With a Symphony Written in His Head by Sasha Khokha
- OSEP Releases New Fast Facts on Children Identified with Intellectual Disability
- 8 Dyslexia Resources for Educators: A Curated List from Lexia, October Dyslexia Awareness Month
- Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Special Olympics Athlete Ablaye Ndiaye from Special Olympics
- October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month from The Arc California
- US Department of Education Awards More Than $35 Million to Develop Personnel in Support of Children with Disabilities
September 2023
- The Evolution of ADHD: Examining the Last 25 Years — and the Future by Dave Anderson PhD from Additude Magazine.
- Exploring College for Students with Intellectual Disability: Families Make it Happen from thinkhighered.net/
- How Families of Children With Disabilities Can Find Support By Claudia Boyd-Barrett from California Health Report
- What a Week Without Driving Can Teach by Anna Zivarts via Bloomberg
- Curiosity and Joy in Disability Advocacy by Meriah Hudson Nichols via DREDF The Blog
- RJ Peete isn't just a clubhouse attendant with autism. He's a central part of the Dodgers family by Steve Henson via the Los Angeles Times
- Developmental Dyscalculia: A New Understanding of Early Warning Signs by Daniel Ansari, Ph.D. via ADDitude Mag
- Practical Strategies & Tools to Help Kids with Dysgraphia by Lindsey Biel M.A., OTR/L via ADDitude Mag
- The Dyslexia-ADHD Overlap: Why Evaluators Confuse the Conditions by Cheryl Chase, Ph.D via ADDitude Mag
August 2023
- Managing Screen Time for Children with Autism from the National Autism Center at the May Institute.
- 10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Special Education Teacher from AmeriDisability
- The Autism Surge: Lies, Conspiracies, and My Own Kids by Jill Escher
- Behavior Problems at School: A Complete Problem-Solving Guide for Parents by Rachel Schwartz via ADDitude
- The IEP Process: Guiding Questions from East County SELPA
Archived Disability & Special Education Articles 2022-2023
July 2023
- What is Disability Pride by Nancy DeVault from AmeriDisability
- Celebrating 33 Years of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from Disability Rights California
- Information is Power: California Now Requires Early Screening for Dyslexia a DREDF Special Education
- California Joins 40 States in Mandating Dyslexia Screening by Elizabeth Huebeck for Education Week
- [Video] Heumann nature: The life and legacy of disability activist Judy Heumann from the Ford Foundation
- Hope, What's the most important thing if your child is struggling with school or hasn't attended for months? by Dr. Naomi Fisher
June 2023
- Delta Developing Seat To Accommodate Wheelchairs In Flight by Shaun Heasley for Disability Scoop
- Dancing with the special stars: SF students show talents, art on and off stage by Lyanne Melendez for ABC 7 News
May 2023
- ‘Netflix For Neurodiverse’: World’s First TV Channel For Autistic Kids by John Jeffay, NoCamels
- Apple Previews iPhone, iPad and Mac Accessibility Features by Abrar Al-Heeti for CNet
- Why the ‘science of reading’ may be the next dyslexia battleground by Joe Hong | CalMatters
- Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Senate Confirmation of Glenna Wright-Gallo
- ‘Wings for All’ introduces flyers with special needs to Atlanta airport
- SMART IEP Pop-up Tool from Wright's Law
- Barbie’s Path to Inclusion - from the DREDF Blog
- How A First-Grader With Cerebral Palsy Helped Make His Playground More Inclusive by Zach Hammack,
April 2023
- "BART Has Local Kids with Autism Doing Station Announcements for Autism Acceptance Month" by Joe Kukura via SFist
- "I have an invisible disability myself: Edward Enninful and Sinéad Burke on their fashion revolution" via The Guardian
- Self-Advocacy Matters! Key Resources from DREDF
- "Special Education is Getting More Expensive, Forcing Schools to Make Cuts Elsewhere" by Mark Lieberman via EdWeek
- Autism in Girls & Women with Dr Donna Henderson by Dr Jeremy Sharp from the Testing Psychologist
- "Never Empty Nesters" Benefit From More Time to Love by Beth Lederer via The Guardsman
- What Does OCD Look Like in the Classroom? by Jerry Bubrick, PhD via the Child Mind Institute
- Autism now more common among Black, Hispanic kids in US by Mike Stobbe via AP News
- Thank You to Our Paraeducators! from SFUSD Communications
- ‘I thought I was dumb for not being able to pay attention…’: Cymeria Robshaw shares her experience as a neurodivergent young adult from Project Eye to Eye
- Marion Joseph's literacy crusade for teaching phonics in California is paying off by Dan Walters in CalMatters
- A Reading Teacher Makes a Case for Early Dyslexia Screening by Elizabeth Heubeck via Education Week
- A New Pathway to a High School Diploma for Students with Disabilities from California Department of Education
- It’s Time for a Transition IEP Meeting- What should I do next? by Erin Mahaffey
- Autism Now Affects 1 In 36 Kids, CDC Says from Disability Scoop
March 2023
- It’s time to screen all students for dyslexia risks by Carol Kocivar from Ed100
- Despite union opposition, many teachers support dyslexia screening for all students from Cal Matters
- Special Olympics Celebrates Women's History Month
- “Could I Be Autistic, Too?” Signs of Autism in Women with ADHD
- 20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls from VeryWell Mind
- Teens Are Struggling Right Now. What Can Parents Do? from the NYTimes
- What are SMART IEP Goals? from Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
- Using the IEP Meeting to Create an IEP that Works from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
- Summer Resource Fair Features Enrichment Opportunities from SAN FRANCISCO RICHMOND REVIEW on MARCH 2, 2023 By Kate Quach
February 2023
- U.S. based Legoland Parks to become certified Autism Centers by spring 2023 from Fox5 San Diego
- Celebrating Black History Month from National Center for Learning Disabilities
- Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic: Neurodivergent Heroes Tell Their Stories edited by Marcia Brissett-Bailey
- Black Women Leaders and Disability Justice
- 'Love on the Spectrum' shows what dating can be like for people with autism from NPR
- Learning to read by third grade requires evidence-based instruction, panel says from EdSource
- Five Step Emergency Preparedness in ASL from the Listos California Resource Hub
- Emergency Preparedness from the Cal OES (Governor's Office of Emergency Services)
January 2023
- DSPS Accessible Theater Arts Teacher Sparks Creativity, Self-Confidence, and Self-Expression by Beth Lederer
- The Best Way to Explain Learning Disabilities to Your Child, by Rick Lavoie via ADDitude
- IEP Progress Reports: What Should be Reported vs What is Reported, by Callie Oettinger via Special Education Action
December 2022
- Should We Say 'with Autism' or 'Autistic'? Here's Why It Matters
- New documentary "In A Different Key" follows first person diagnosed with autism
- Office of Special Education Programs Update - A Newsletter for OSEP Grantees and Interested Stakeholders
- Disability Rights Advocate Justice Maria Araujo Kahn nomination approved by Senate Judiciary Committee from Daily Kos
- By Rethinking How Reading Is Taught, Bay Area Schools Hope To Boost Overall Literacy by Ida Mojadad, The San Francisco Standard
November 2022
- Meet the Special Ed Advocate Who Ousted Ann Hsu for a Spot on SF’s School Board by Ida Mojadad
- Confronting Ableism on the Way to Justice by Keith Jones from Learning for Justice
- Inclusive Education Benefits All Children by Mellanie Willingham-Jaggers and the Glsen Team from Learning for Justice
- Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong hosted by Emily Hanford
- Unified Sports Level the Playing Field for Students With Disabilities by Sarah D. Sparks from Education Week
- SFUSD pleads for drivers to obey traffic laws after car hits school bus, flees scene by Lyanne Melendez, ABC7 News
- How to Document and Resolve Issues With the IEP Team from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
October 2022
- “I am a Neurodivergent Black Woman — and I am Filled with Hope.” By Alyssa Tundidor
- Ensuring All Students with Disabilities have a Pathway to a High School Diploma in California from DREDF
- Roundup: Education policies passed, failed and vetoed in 2022 by Carol Kocivar
- New literacy standards for teacher candidates could be pivotal to improving student reading scores. by
Diana Lambert
September 2022
- **Year of the Tiger: Debut memoir by Alice Wong**
- NIH Awards $100 Million for Autism Centers of Excellence Program
- My Parents Are Hackers Out of Necessity: NY Times Opinion
- Office of Special Education Programs Seeking Input: Prioritizing Equity
- “Love on the Spectrum U.S.” Wins Multiple Emmy Awards
- Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig welcome friends with autism and 2 mommies
August 2022
- Dallas nonprofit aims to break down barriers that disabled people face
- Sonoma County teacher pens book celebrating her hearing-impaired students
- How to talk about disability sensitively and avoid ableist tropes
- Uber WAV provides affordable rides in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, where available
Past Articles
- Why “Special Needs” is Not Helpful | medium.com
- Creating trauma-informed individualized education programs | American Psychological Association
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - What to Ask for Kids with IEPs from A Day in Your Shoes
- Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors
- 5 Reasons Why Disability Issues Should Be A Higher Priority, Even Now | Forbes
- Nancy Armstrong Is Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors. By Jessica Migala
- At a Loss for Words: How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers | APM ReportsU.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504.
- Microsoft unveils new adaptive PC accessories with modular components.
- Watch My Disability Roadmap about Samuel Habib in the New York Times "Op-Docs".
- Self-Advocacy: Participating in Your IEP Meetings.
- 2 UC Berkeley students make history as 1st nonspeaking autistic graduates.
- Access SFUSD presents its Insider Guide
- 504 and Me By Meriah Nichols, from the Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund Blog
- AB 1663: The Probate Conservatorship Reform and Supported Decision-Making Act
- Slate.com: Why Are Special Education Teachers Quitting Across the Nation?
- Washington Post: Disability Community Pushes To keep Masks Aboard Mass Transit
This page was last updated on November 27, 2023