Special Education Community Events and News

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of IDEA!

2025 is the 50th Anniversary of IDEA! Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), known as the EHA, in 1975 to support states and localities in protecting the rights of, meeting the individual needs of, and improving the results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. This landmark law’s name changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, in a 1990 reauthorization.

Learn more!

Community Event Calendar - Check out the Many Events Happening!
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SF Therapeutic Rec & Park Winter 2026 Programming

SF Therapeutic Rec & Park 2026 Winter Programming, registration opens 12/13 and can be completed at: sfrecpark.org/register. To explore the full winter catalog, visit the SF Rec and Park website!

PLAY DAY! @ MISSION PLAYGROUND
SATURDAY 1/24 | 10AM – 1PM | (AGES 6–12) | #45701

For children with Autism or other developmental disabilities, ages 6–12. Everybody Plays Day is an opportunity for parents to drop off their children for a play day with our trained staff. Then, parents can go have a play day themselves! Sports skills, cooperative games, and more! You provide snack and lunch for your child and we provide the rest.

TEEN TIME! @ MISSION PLAYGROUND
SATURDAY 1/31 | 10AM – 1PM | (AGES 13–18) | #45702

For teens with Autism or other developmental disabilities. We focus on social skills, life skills, cooperative games, community field trips and more! This is an opportunity for parents to drop off their teens for some Teen Time with our trained staff. Then, parents can go have some time for themselves! You provide snack and lunch for your teen and we provide the rest.

TR AFTERNOON SOCIAL CLUB @ MISSION PLAYGROUND
TUESDAYS 1/13 – 2/10 | 3:00PM – 5:30PM | (AGES 14–22) | #45703

For teens and transition-aged youth with Autism or other developmental disabilities, ages 14–22. Come join us for a 5-week pilot program! This is an opportunity for young adults to have time with peers—without parents! Designed for the young adult in mind, we focus on social skills, life skills, team-building activities, and community field trips. We strive to develop social and life skills while fostering community integration and encouraging independence in a safe and nurturing environment.
Due to the low staff ratio, participants should be independent with personal care and stay with the group with verbal prompting on field trips.

ACCESS TO HEALTH AND FITNESS @ MISSION RECREATION CENTER
WEDNESDAYS 1/7 – 3/11 | 11:00AM – 12:30PM | (AGES 18+) | #45698

Come get healthy and fit! This is a specialized Therapeutic Recreation Program, serving transition-aged youth with disabilities. We strive to develop social and life skills while fostering community integration and encouraging independence in a safe and nurturing environment. We will work directly with the ACCESS students to help them develop healthy lifestyle and fitness skills.
We recommend bringing comfortable clothes and shoes as well as water.

TR FAMILY DAYS @ LOCATION TBD | 10:00AM – 1:00PM
SATURDAYS 3/7 (#45704) | (ALL AGES)

This program is for families and friends of our Therapeutic Recreation programs. Open to siblings, caregivers, and others, our TR Family Days program provides the opportunity for families of children with disabilities to connect with one another, create friendships, experience new recreation activities, and build community. Come join us for our family outings this season!

Note: At least one caregiver must accompany your child for each program. And all family members attending must be registered and must plan to meet us at the designated location/outing.

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SFUSD Special Olympics Calendar 25-26

SFUSD Special Olympics Events Schedule 2025-2026

October 2025- Soccer

October 7th @ South Sunset Fields- Elementary
October 9th @ West Sunset Fields- Middle
October 17th @ Washington High- High & ACCESS

March 2026- Basketball

March 5th @ Galileo- ACCESS
March 10th @ Presidio MS- Middle
March 12th @ Lincoln- High
March 17th @ Burton- Elementary

May 2026- Track & Field

May 5th @ Balboa- Elementary
May 7th @ Balboa- Secondary

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Monthly: FREE IEP Workshops & Clinics

Monthly on Thursday's: 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

點擊這裡登記粵語IEP講座

Click here to register for the English IEP Clinic

Haga clic aquí para registrarse a la Clínica de IEP en español

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Monthly: 2nd Sundays with Spectrum Rock Climbers

Spectrum Rock Climbers is a group of volunteers who want to provide youth with autism who have an interest in indoor rock climbing access to the sport and the benefits. Sign-up is required and space is limited. Email David Kase at david@kasemedia.com to sign-up or with any questions. Some additional details below:

Who: Youth ages 9 to 17. Climbers must be able to effectively communicate with their belayer (all forms are accepted). Climbers must be accompanied by one parent or guardian.

Cost: Free. Gym access, climbing shoes and a harness are provided at no cost (thanks to Movement San Francisco). Sign-up is required as space is limited.

When: The second Sunday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m..

Where: Movement Gym San Francisco (924 Mason Street)

Please note that this opportunity has no association with our team or department. Click the link below to get an idea of what to expect.

What to expect video

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Mon Feb 9 @ 7:00-8:45pm: Special Education Academy- Writing SMART Goals in the IEP (DREDF)

Presented by DREDF

Date: Monday, February 9, 2026

Time: 7:00-8:45pm PT

Join us as we go over the legal standards for goals, the formula of a SMART Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal, and everything from the baseline to short-term objectives to the annual goal itself. We'll give examples of good goals and help you understand the goals in your child's IEP. Be sure to bring the IEP to this webinar!

Registration

Regístrese para el seminario web en español

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