Special Education Community Events and News

SFUSD Family & Staff Virtual ASL Classes

For families and staff virtually on Zoom, every Thursday 6:00-7:00pm until May 30, 2024

(No class on April 11, 2024)

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8999961619

Meeting ID: 899 996 1619

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

Monthly Programs

Thursday, April 4 @ 6:00 - 7:00p | Wednesday, April 17 @ 12:00 - 1:00p: Volunteer Open House

Want to learn about ways to get involved and give back? Check out the Open House! Volunteers are at the heart of the NAMI SF mission and there are tons of ways to get involved. The Open House is a great space to meet staff and explore available positions. Monthly on the first Thursday and third Wednesday. Zoom. 
 

Thursday, April 11 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: In Our Own Voice

Signature NAMI program highlighting community member voices. Volunteers will share about their experience living with mental health conditions, discussing in a candid manner when they first developed symptoms, how their symptoms evolved, the self-care practices they employ, and overall reflections on their journey. For all community members! Monthly on the second Thursday. Zoom. 

Sunday, April 21 @ 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. 

April Programs

Wednesday, April 17 @ 6:00 - 7:30p: Communication Workshop

If you are living with a mental health condition it can be difficult to communicate your needs to those around you. Similarly, caring for a loved one living with a mental health challenge can make communication difficult. Led by trained NAMI class teachers, this workshop will offer techniques to help you better communicate with your friends and family. The workshop will include breakout rooms and an opportunity to practice using new techniques. Zoom. 
 

Jueves 25 de Abril @ 6:00 - 7:00p: Salud Mental 101 (En Español!)

Una presentación enfocada en la experiencia de la comunidad latina/hispanohablante con la salud mental, Incluyendo información específica de la comunidad sobre factores contribuyentes, barreras para la atención y prácticas para apoyarse a usted mismo y a sus seres queridos. Zoom. 

Thursday, April 25 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: Mental Health 101 (In Spanish!) (Same as event listed immediately above)

Presentation focusing on the Latinx / Spanish-language community’s experience with mental health, including community-specific information on contributing factors, barriers to care, and practices for supporting yourself and loved ones. Zoom.

Volunteer Presenter Training: Want to share your story of living with a mental health condition with high school students? If so, check out the upcoming volunteer presenter training! This is a great opportunity to have direct community touch in the classroom, memorialize your story of living with a mental health condition, and support high school student wellness.

When: Monday, April 15 | 5:30 - 6:30pm | Virtual. 

Requirements: Identify as a peer (experience a mental health condition / mental illness). Must be between ages 18-30. 

Compensation: $50 to complete training. $35/presentation + transportation reimbursement.

More Information / Register: Click Here or email Andrew (andrew@namisf.org). 
 

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage x Mental Health Awareness Month (May)

In May NAMI San Francisco is producing an event series, NAMI SF x AAPI Mental Health, focusing on Asian American mental health. Check out the events below!
 

Thursday, May 9 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: In Our Own Voice (featuring AAPI Voices!)

Thursday, May 23 @ 6:00 - 7:30p: Asian American & Pacific Islander Mental Health Summit: Generational Trauma & and the Family Collective

Thursday, May 30 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: Parents as Allies & Advocates in Cantonese (stay tuned for registration information)

The San Francisco Bay Area Autism Society invites you to join them @ Pier 23 for a friendly gathering for autism and special education families overlooking the Bay. 

When:  Sunday, April 7, 2024, 3pm to 6pm

Where:  Pier 23, San Francisco

What: A fun gathering for everyone in your family to relax, eat, drink, and mingle!

This event is free for SFASA families, but registration is required at SFAutismSociety.org

Register Here

An overview of the special education process, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Laws Special. You must register in advance for this training.

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.

When:  Friday, April 12, 2024 - PREGAME SHOOT AROUND EXPERIENCE is from 5:30-6:00PM, but game itself starts at 7pm
Where:  Chase Center, Home of the Golden State Warriors  
What: Watch the pre-game shoot around/warmup on the lower level — and Autism Awareness Night: The Golden State Warriors. ***IMPORTANT - You must also purchase a ticket separately to the game to attend this pre-game shoot-around warmup event.***
More info: Please email events@sfautismsociety.org. Further details will be provided after you register.

Learn more about this event on the SF Autism Society website!

When:  Saturday, April 20, 2024, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Doors Open at 10:30 AM

Where:  Noe Valley Ministry -1021 Sanchez Street. San Francisco, CA 94114

What: Free!!! We’re excited to launch the SFCO’s first program designed with our Neurodiverse community in mind. What does that mean? We’ll refrain from sudden loud sounds, our string quartet will be an appropriate volume for the size of the venue, and the seating will be a bit farther apart. There will also be some fun, hands-on activities for kids 0-12 who wish to participate.  

Additional Info: A Sensory Friendly Family Concert for Neurodiversity — San Francisco Chamber Orchestra (thesfco.org)

San Pedro Valley Park Walk, Sunday, April 21, 2024, 11 AM start
Location:  San Pedro Valley Park, 600 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica, CA. From Route 1 (Cabrillo Highway), take Linda Mar Blvd. until it ends at Oddstad Blvd., turn right and then immediately left again on Trout Farm Road to the parking area. Meet at the Visitor Center building.
Date/Time: Sunday, April 21, 2024 11 AM (note that we are trying an 11 AM start rather than the usual 10 AM)
RSVP to Lisa at llouis@sonic.net, RSVP recommended but not required
Meeting Location: Meet at the San Pedro Valley Park Visitor Center which is near the parking area
Getting There: From Route 1 (Cabrillo Highway) in Pacifica, take Linda Mar Blvd. until it ends at Oddstad Blvd., turn right and then immediately left again on Trout Farm Road to the parking area. Meet at the Visitor Center building.
Description: Join Lisa Louis (of hikingautism.com) and family for an easy 2 mile walk on the relatively flat Weiler Ranch Road Trail. There are also benches along the way for those who need breaks. This is a good walk for small children and beginners to try. More adventurous hikers have the option to also try the more challenging trails at the park (see Montara Mountain hike link below). We usually see rabbits and California quail on this trail, and have also seen deer, wild turkeys, and snakes. It’s an easy trail with lots of wildlife!
For more info on hikes in this area:
https://www.hikingautism.com/san-pedro-valley-park-weiler-ranch-road-trail.html
https://www.hikingautism.com/san-pedro-valley-montara-mountain-brooks-creek-loop.html

Una descripción general del proceso de educación especial, la Ley de Rehabilitación sección 504 y la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades (IDEA – por sus siglas en ingles). Debe registrarse con anticipación para esta capacitación.

Enlace de registro

CAC APRIL MEETING 

MAIN TOPIC: Autism

Date & Time: THURSDAY, April 25, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, 832 Folsom St, Suite 1001 (10th Floor), San Francisco, CA, 94107

Please join the CAC for a presentation from the SF Autism Society. The Autism Society supports the Autism community through a variety of initiatives, including affiliate networks, public policy, training, and safety. Learn how you can take action to help empower the Autism community.

Register Here

Please help us spread the word and share our flier!

Printable translations: English I Spanish I Cantonese I Arabic I Tagalog I Vietnamese

Reunión del CAC de abril sobre autismo

四月 CAC 自閉症會議

Register for Zoom

Register for in-person

ASL and interpretation services are available with advance notice. To reserve, please send an email to cacspedsf@gmail.com or call 415-447-7802.

Join Support for Families, SF Department of Early Childhood, and Compass Family Services for the Spring Forward Family Festival!

There will be FREE, fun, inclusive activities, entertainment and food! Open to all families & especially designed to welcome families of children with disabilities and complex medical needs.

Location: Yerba Buena Children's Garden, Howard St & 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Register Here

December 2023

• Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD by Tony Bravo via SF Chronicle
• Autism in the Classroom: One Mother's Story by Alycia Chu via The Special EDge
• A Student Wrote a Book About Her Learning Disability. Now, She Has Advice for Teachers by Sarah Schwartz & Jaclyn Borowski via Education Week
• Biden Administration Works to Increase Preschool Inclusion by Michelle Diament via Disability Scoop
• Which Accommodations Are Available for My Child With ADHD? by Liz Nissim-Matheis Ph.D. via Psychology Today
• Unravelling the puzzle Ultimately, illuminating the science behind learning disabilities helps shift narratives. It reveals minds that simply learn differently, with insights we all may benefit from. Aditi Subramaniam
  
  Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/features/unravelling-the-puzzle-2789206

November 2023

• Balboa Theater Hosts First Sensory-Friendly Movie in Partnership with SF Rec. and Park’s Therapeutic Rec. and Inclusion Services  by Beth Lederer via Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon
• Turning 18: What Parents & Teachers Need to Know
• Inclusive College Opportunities for Students with Disabilities from DREDF
• Designers Work To Make Playgrounds More Inclusive via DisabilityScoop
• 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

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