Advocacy
Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary defines the word advocate as
“1. A person who argues for a cause; supporter or defender.
2. A person who pleads in another’s behalf; an intercessor.”
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to reach their maximum potential by providing them, their families and the professionals who serve them with training, support, information, resources and referrals, and by providing community awareness programs. Initially, the primary focus was on children three to 21 years of age, but services evolved to include all ages, especially in the TASK Technology Center.
TASK serves families of children aged birth to 22 years of age under IDEA and other systems mandated to provide services to individuals with disabilities. As a federally-funded Parent Training and Information Center, TASK is part of a national network of centers providing similar services. TASK provides advocacy information, workshops and information in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Parent Workshops
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) is a Parent Training and Information Center that parents and professionals can turn to for assistance in seeking and obtaining needed early intervention, educational, medical or therapeutic support service for children. More about TASK
To help you understand the process of IEP’s (Indiviual Education Plan), attend any of the TASK workshops. This link will redirect you to the TASK website.
Find a workshop in your area. The better you know your rights and responabilities, the more effective you will be in helping your child succeed in school.
Disability Rights California (formerly Protection & Advocacy, Inc.) is a nonprofit disability rights organization, working since 1978 to advance human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities. More about DRC
Special Education – California Department of Education Information and resources to serve the unique needs of persons with disabilities so that each person will meet or exceed high standards of achievement in academic and nonacademic skills.
The Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC), is to promote the rights of people with disabilities and the public interest in and awareness of those rights by providing legal and related services. More about DRLC
The Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights. More about The Office for Civil Rights
Learning Rights Law Center is to ensure students have equitable access to the public education system. More on Learning Rights
California Department of Education
Special Education – Filing a Complaint
Procedural Safeguards Referral Service
800-926-0648 (Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Due Process Hearings
Office of Administrative Hearings
Special Education Division
2349 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4321
916-263-0890
Website for OAH
Los Angeles Unified School District – Parent Resource Network
(800) 933-8133 (Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Hotline for parents of special education students who have concerns regarding their child’s school program.