Special Education Community Events and News

San Francisco's Free Adaptive Bike Program is returning this summer. In partnership with the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, we're providing free reservations for adaptive bikes in Golden Gate Park during the summer and fall months, with the program serving people with disabilities.

The program will take place on Saturdays at the Music Concourse behind the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) next to the accessible parking lot.

Reservations are required to participate. For program dates and to reserve a bike, contact BORP Cycling Center at (510) 848-2930 or email cycling@borp.org. For more information, click the link below.

More information

Back to School Series SY 24-25, August Workshops

Join our "Back to School" workshop series on Zoom! In these 3 workshops, we will explore the basics of special education, learn effective techniques to get organized for the new school year, and what can families with kids with disabilities do to work with their school's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to prepare their child for a safety emergency at school.

• Aug 13: Basics of Special Education
• Aug 20: Get Organized
• Aug 27: Emergency Preparedness

Register here

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

Jueves, 12 de Septiembre @ 6:00 - 7:00p: “En Nuestra Propia Voz” Ft. Voces Latinas
“En Nuestra Propia Voz” es un programa central de NAMI y tiene como objetivo desestigmatizar y humanizar la salud mental: aprenda de miembros de la comunidad latinx acerca de sus historias viviendo con una condición de salud mental y navegando su identidad cultural y étnica. En Español. Zoom.

Thursday, September 12 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: In Our Own Voice Ft. Latinx Voices

In Our Own Voice is a core NAMI program and is all about destigmatizing and humanizing mental health - learn from Latinx community members about their stories of living with a mental health condition and navigating their cultural and ethnic identity. In Spanish. Zoom.

Sunday, September 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. 

September Programs

Saturday, September 14 @ 10:30a - 12:30p: Saturday Social @ John McLaren 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 September, our team is hosting the third Saturday Social at John McLaren Park. There will be strolling, food, and opportunities to meet NAMI staff. Join us next week! Stay tuned for exact location. In Person.
 

Thursday, September 19 @ 6:00 - 7:30pm: Suicide Awareness Training (Feat. SF Suicide Prevention)

Join NAMI SF and San Francisco Suicide Prevention for a presentation on suicide prevention. Topics include risk factors, risk assessment, de-escalation, and guidelines for emergency protocols. Learning about suicidality, contributing factors, and how to support yourself and/or a loved one is a great first step toward combatting suicidality and suicidal attempts. Zoom.  

Jueves, 26 de Septiembre @ 6:00 - 7:30pm: Cumbre Anual de Salud Mental Latinx

NAMI San Francisco presenta: ¡Primera Cumbre Anual de Salud Mental Latinx! Septiembre es el inicio del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre). El 26 de septiembre, profesionales de la salud mental hablarán sobre una variedad de temas relacionados con la salud mental de los latinos. En Español. Zoom. Link: https://tinyurl.com/cumbredesaludmental

Thursday, September 26 @ 6:00 - 7:30pm: Latinx Mental Health Summit

NAMI San Francisco Presents: First Annual Latinx Mental Health Summit! September is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). On September 26, mental health professionals will discuss a range of topics related to Latinx mental health. In Spanish. Zoom. 

Link: https://tinyurl.com/cumbredesaludmental

Sneak Peak: NAMI SF x Youth Mental Health Event Series (October)

Event Collection: NAMI SF x Youth Mental Health - Technology Use and Digital Safety

Events incorporate the perspectives of mental health professionals or peers/loved ones who will discuss youth mental health relative to technology use and digital safety. 

Thursday, October 10 @ 6:00 - 7:00pm: In Our Own Voice (Young Adult Edition)

Thursday, October 17 @ 6:00 - 7:15pm: Parents as Allies & Advocates

Thursday, October 24 @ 6:00 - 7:30pm: Third Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium: Your Child's Technology Use and Digital Safety

Link: https://tinyurl.com/namisfsymposium2024 

The Future is Now is a FREE six-week online course (live) that provides options to support future planning for your adult family member with developmental disabilities through supported decision making. It empowers you to work with your family member to plan for the future they want – and that you want for them.

The class includes:

• Comprehensive Future Planning Guide to design a support plan for you and your family member with disabilities;
• Workbooks for parent/caregiver and family member;
• Certificate of Completion;
• Small and interactive class size so you can ask questions, and work with other parents and caregivers on developing a future plan step-by-step.

A new class cohort begins Monday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. (PST). Take this opportunity to plan for the future of your loved one, and your family:

Classes fill up quickly. Register today! 

Presented by REEL Signature Speaker Series

Time & Location

Sep 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Zoom

Details

Does your bright child struggle with intensity, moodiness, meltdowns, transitions, or going with the flow? If so, they're not alone. Join us as licensed marriage and family therapist Debbie Steinberg Kuntz shares the secrets to emotional regulation that she's gleaned interviewing hundreds of the top psychologists. We'll dive into the most helpful concepts and strategies, including the magic of Polyvagal theory. De-escalate family stress, and accelerate your progress to a more peaceful and happy home.

*At the request of our speaker, this event recording will only be available with password protection to those who RSVP.

Learn more and register

Presented by Stanford Medicine

Register and learn more!

General Admission: $20. This includes access to the virtual summit, as well as to the recordings for a year. 

Hybrid Admission + Certificate of Attendance: $75. This includes access to the hybrid summit, as well as to the recordings for a year.  This is for educators and other professionals seeking a certificate of completion or certificate of attendance.

Admission + Continuing Education Credits: $240. This includes access to the hybrid summit, as well as to the recordings for a year. This is for physicians, psychologists, & licensed Clinical Social Workers (Continuing Education credits provided).

Recordings will be shared with the general public a year after the event is concluded. This low registration fee can help us defray the cost of the summit. Thank you for your support.

Free virtual tickets are available for Stanford University students, staff and faculty. Please sign up here. If you are a Stanford affiliate but want to attend in person and/or recveive CE credits, you must have a regular paid register above. 

A limited number of complimentary tickets is available through designated advocacy organizations. 

CAC September Meeting- Mental Health Supports for Students with IEPs

Presented by the CAC

Date & Time: Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location (Hybrid): Support for Families, 832 Folsom St Suite #1001, San Francisco, CA 94107

• Virtual option available- Register here for Zoom or in-person participation

Please join the CAC for an overview of Mental Health Supports for students with IEPs, both within and outside of SFUSD!

Register Here

Please help us spread the word and share our flier!

City Kids Family Fair is a free, fun, family-friendly event that showcases the programs and services available to San Francisco families through Children’s Council and many of our community partner organizations.

Looking for child care or preschool for your child? City Kids is the perfect place to start! 

Early Registration HERE

------

Feria de la familia presentada por Children’s Council

Únase a nosotros para obtener libros, pañales y productos orgánicos gratis, además de juegos, entretenimiento, obsequios y más. ¿Buscas guardería o preescolar para tu hijo? ¡City Kids es el lugar perfecto para comenzar! 

------
由兒童委員會贊助

加入我們，獲取免費書籍、尿布和有機農產品，以及遊戲、娛樂、贈品等。 為您的孩子尋找托兒所或幼兒園? City Kids 是一個完美的起點! 

Join us for a family fun day at Presidio Tunnel Tops! Learn about inclusive recreation, after-school, and summer programs available in San Francisco, while exploring the park. Connect with other families and staff from Support for Families and SF Recreation and Park’s Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services.

To request accommodation, please call 415-831-6834 or email rpdaccess@sfgov.org. Making your request at least 72 hours before the event will help ensure availability.

Access to Adventure Day is presented by Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, SF Recreation and Parks Department, and Partnership for the Presidio, and sponsored in part by Waymo.

Click here to volunteer for the event.

Register here

Presented by Longmore Institute on Disability, Superfest Film Festival, Disability Cultural Center

Superfest Showcase - Catch Films You Might Have Missed!
Join us at the San Francisco Public Library to watch diverse films created by, acted by, and about people with disabilities. This program is curated by The Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability in partnership with San Francisco Public Library's Talking Books and Braille Center and the Deaf Services Center.

Superfest at San Francisco Public Library | September 28, 2024 | 1:00 - 3:00 PT | Location: San Francisco Public Library: Main Branch, Koret Auditorium | Drop-in, no RSVP | ASL, CART, in person, masks encouraged

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