Special Education Community Events and News

Rec and Park's winter class registration begins on Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m. There are a number of adaptive recreational offerings including wheelchair basketball, power soccer, health and fitness programming, and play/family days. View the winter class catalog at this link. For more information and to register on December 14, click the link below.

Winter Adaptive Recreation Highlights 

For details and registration, please consult the winter class catalog):

ALL Ages

• Wheelchair Basketball @ Glen Park Recreation Center, Drop-in Saturdays 1/11-3/8 from 3-6pm
• Golden State Ducks SF Power Soccer Program @ Eureka Valley Rec Center, Saturdays 1/11-3/8 from 1-5pm
• Therapeutic Rec Family Day 3/1 from 10am-1pm!

Youth, Teens/Tweens

• Play Day! @ Mission Playground for ages 6-12 on Saturday, 1/11 from 10am-1pm
• Teen Time! @ Mission Playground for ages 13-18 on Saturday, 2/8 from 10am-1pm
• TR Afternoon Social Club @ Mission Playground for teens and transition-aged youth ages 14-25 on Tuesdays 2/4-3/4 from 3-5:30pm

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, December 5 @ 6:00 - 7:00p & Wednesday, December 18 @ 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. 

Sunday, December 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, boost creativity, and is a great way to engage in community. Open to those of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Monthly on the third Sunday. Zoom. 

December Programs

Saturday, December 7 @ 10:30a - 12:30p: Saturday Social @ Golden Gate Park

NAMI SF is hosting quarterly in-person events in 2024! Saturday Socials are a great opportunity to socialize at a number of locations around San Francisco. In December, our team is hosting the fourth Saturday Social in Golden Gate Park. There will be strolling, food, and opportunities to meet NAMI staff. Join us this week! Golden Gate Park, Lindley Meadow. 

Thursday, December 12 @ 5:30 - 7:00p: Research Projects: Childhood Trauma and Attachment | Psychedelic Medicine

NAMI San Francisco staff members will deliver presentations on original research. Presentations focus on the relationship between childhood trauma and attachment styles and the use of psychedelic substances in mental health care. Join the conversation! Zoom.

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

Check out the SFUSD Special Olympics event calendar for the 2024-2025 school year! Events run from 10:30am-12:15pm

Interested in more from Special Olympics? Contact Sasha Trope, SFUSD Special Olympics Coordinator

tropes@x.sfusd.edu

When: 12/9/24, 9:40am-12:00pm

Where: Support for Families of Children with Disabilities

832 Folsom St, Suite 1001, San Francisco, CA 94107

Presented in person and in Spanish only.

Space is limited. Registration is required.

Come ready to have an engaging conversation about healthy teen sexuality. During our time together we will participate in activities to increase our comfort level to address this conversation with our children.

To register or for questions contact Roxana Lopez: (415)-920-5040 or rlopez@supportforfamilies.org

Presented by DREDF

Section 504 is an important antidiscrimination disability civil rights law. This webinar focuses on how this law is implemented in schools, how to ensure schools develop a 504 plan for eligible students that meets the purpose and intent of the law, that it is individualized to provide equal access to educational opportunity, and what to do if problems arise.

You must register in advance for this training: Registration Link

Presented by DREDF

Learn more and register here 

Maximizing the participation of the entire IEP team is essential for creating an effective and individualized educational program. By valuing and integrating the perspectives and expertise of all team members, the IEP process becomes more inclusive, responsive, and successful in meeting the unique needs of each student. In this two-part webinar series, Melanie Reese, Director of CADRE, along with a group of invested educational partners in California, Aubrie Fulk (Pathways to Partnership), Cheryl Theis (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund), and Jennifer Yales and Noreen Lippincott (High Quality IEPs), offer implementable insights to help make IEP meetings more inclusive, collaborative, and focused on the unique needs of every student. 

Part 1 (November 19th) Bridging Understanding: Educator and Parent Perspectives on Participation in IEP Meetings will provide a brief overview of IEP meeting requirements, define commonly used terms, such as meaningful participation and consensus, encourage active participation of the whole team in IEP meetings, and highlight perspectives and real-world experiences from both educators and parents. 

Part 2 (December 10th) Strategies, Tools, and Resources for Maximizing Participation in IEP Meetings will dive into practical strategies and address common challenges, equipping IEP teams with tools to foster more productive and inclusive meetings. The California Department of Education will also present information on how they are supporting family participation in the IEP process by enhancing communication, streamlining assistance, and responding to concerns, through their newly formed Constituent’s Office.

Regístrate aquí

La Sección 504 es una importante ley de derechos civiles contra la discriminación por discapacidad. Este seminario web se centra en cómo se aplica esta ley en las escuelas, cómo asegurarse de que se individualiza y se aplica y qué hacer si surgen problemas.

A Sensory-Friendly Performance of A Christmas Carol from A.C.T

More information here

When: Wednesday, December 18 at 1:00pm

Where: 415 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102

What is a sensory-friendly performance?
Sensory-friendly performances, also called relaxed performances, are designed to create an experience in the theater for neuro-diverse audiences or anyone who has sensory sensitivities that might impact their ability to feel comfortable in a typical theater-going experience. At this performance of A Whynot Christmas Carol, A.C.T. invites audience members to come to the show and feel free to be themselves! Expectations about audience etiquette will be relaxed and the following supports will be in place to enhance audience experience:

• Tech adjustments (to minimize sensory over-stimulation)
• Changes to sounds, lights, and tech effects (e.g. stage smoke)
• House lights remain on and low throughout the performance
• Sensory Cue Lights will alert audience members when a potential sensory trigger is about to occur
• Pre-show audience supports (to prepare audience for the experience)
• Ticket options / detailed seating map (use the code CHEER to access $25 tickets here)
• Support materials offered in advance of the show
• Access guide to the theater
• Performance checklist
• Sensory Guide
• Day of show supports (to support audience with needs during the performance)
• Pre-show opportunity for audience to acclimate to the space
• Sensory supports available, including fidgets, sunglasses, ear plugs, noise-reducing headphones, and weighted blankets
• Movement spaces in the theater
• Sensory break space with a screen to watch a live feed of the performance

Any questions? Feel free to email Lauren@inclusivearts.net to learn more about sensory- friendly practices or the supports that A.C.T. will have in place during the December 18th sensory-friendly performance.

EXCITING NEWS!! SF Ballet is again offering a Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker. This year it’s on Sunday, 12/29/24 at 11am.
Seats that are regularly up to $200 are being offered at $30 with our promo code – and they are even waiving the handling fees. YAY!

• Special needs families only — use the promo code FRIENDLY24 to access deeply discounted $30 tickets to SF Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on 12/29/24 at 11am.
• Once the promo code is entered, the only seats visible will be tickets that qualify for the $30 price in select sections of the Orchestra, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle levels. If someone wants to purchase a ticket in a different section, for example a box seat or front row Orchestra, then they will need to remove the promo code before being able to select those premium priced seats.
• SF Ballet is pleased to waive the handling fees when the promo code FRIENDLY24 is used.
• Wheelchair and companion tickets start at $30 in select sections of the auditorium. Additional wheelchair accessible seats and companion seats might be available for purchase by phone. For assistance purchasing accessible seats or selecting tickets, the Box Office phone line is open from 10am-4pm Monday-Friday at 415-865-2000.
• Available while supplies last. A limited number of subsidized tickets are available at the deeply discounted price of $30. Subsidized tickets are made possible by the generosity of SF Ballet’s sponsors of the 2024 Sensory Friendly Performance. Doors open at 10am.

Building Trust, Breaking Blame, and Healing Shame: Conflict Coaching Conversations for Constructive Futures

Presented by:

CADRE

January 23, 2025 - 11:30am - 1pm PST

Pacific Time

Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JTO3sssPTjydn-0x0opTJA

Relationships in special education and early intervention can be stormy and may be damaged beyond repair when three indicators of dysfunction dictate the conversation and the direction — Mistrust, Blame, and Shame.  When someone feels they aren't safe with another ("I can't trust them to care about/protect me and mine."); or the other is to blame ("It's their fault." "They MEANT this to happen."); or they have let themselves down ("I'm unworthy, unable, unacceptable." I'm ashamed of myself."); we create the fuel for "Hurt People to Hurt People."  From a first family contact through all of our dispute resolution processes, tools for Building Trust, Breaking Blame, and Healing Shame eases the fear, anxiety, and hurt and allows us to build stronger partnerships that benefit everyone. This webinar focuses on conflict coaching conversations anyone can use in any conversation to achieve these goals. If you're a conflict coach, a mediator, a family empowerment professional, educator, administrator, family member, or just want to learn, we want you to join us. Our goal is for you to leave with tools that work in your context and that can be adapted to your processes. This interactive webinar will use video examples, activities, and materials to prepare you to implement these tools in your life. 

Presenter:

Tricia Jones is a Professor of Communication and Social Influence and Director of the Center for Conflict Management and Media Impact at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. As past Vice-President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Conflict Management, past President of the International Association of Conflict Management, and Curriculum Design Consultant for the American Bar Association Section on Dispute Resolution she has consistently advocated for conflict education and systems design that helps build constructive communities. Her work in conflict management spans 35 years of teaching, research and practice in conflict resolution intervention, conflict resolution education, alternative dispute resolution, intercultural conflict, and organizational dispute system design. She focuses significantly on designing conflict education and dispute resolution interventions, systems, and professional development in K-12 environments and urban communities to support students, families, communities and educators. Read more.

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