I have been very fortunate the past 8 years to have worked with very open minded, team spirited, professionals on my children's IEP. It is not uncommon when I receive a telephone call from a parent who is asking for advice on how to prepare for an IEP. If the need is there, then I have attended an IEP as a parent advocate. Unfortunately, my eyes have been opened and realize the fact that all IEPs are not created equal. I have witnessed IEPs where a parent doesn't speak a word, have seen a lack of cooperation and power struggle between team members, the strong presence and intimidation of politics, and the low expectations.
I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to IEPs, but I have lost track on how many I have attended. I think experience is a great teacher, and I continue to learn. Any comments or advice on this post is welcomed. Today I will mention my top three...
1. The Utah Parent Center (www.utahparentcenter.org) was the first parent resource group whom I turned to when my daughter was transitioning from PIP services to preschool. They have a wonderful handbook entitled, "The Parents As Partners in the IEP Process". This simple handbook is designed to ask questions so you as a parent can create a thorough child profile. After answering the questions (strengths and weaknesses), then it's simple to type up a summary which you can hand out when discussing your child's current level of performance and goals. I have always include a picture of my child on their profile, so it helps us remember who we are focusing on.
2. Bring your spouse, friend, parent advocate or blind mentor. If you feel like you are alone in this process, then reach out for help. IEPs can be very intimidating and it's always a great support if you have another person there. An IEP is typically once a year, so my husband has it on his "time off schedule" and makes it a priority. We discuss goals and objectives before the meeting to make sure we are on the same page. We also sit next to each other, so we can reach underneath the table to give a squeeze if things start to get heated (smile).
3. Understand the laws, regulations, and procedural safeguards. This will not only help you feel more comfortable, but the team will recognize and respect parents that are smart advocates. The National Center on Severe and Sensory Disabilities (NCSSD), formerly known as the National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities created a webpage entitled "IEP Pop Up". It was developed to help parents recognized typical "conversation stoppers" that may be heard in an IEP. Knowing what the "real" issues might be, some respectful but effective responses, and what the laws say about educating children with disabilities can assist you in getting your IEP team meetings moving again in a more positive direction! http://www.unco.edu/ncssd/bviIEP/index.shtml
Here are the questions. When you click on the question, you will find an appropriate response.
1. "It is not reasonable to expect the classroom teacher to describe everything to your child. She has 30 other students."
2. "We were excited to discover how well your child can see!"
3. "We think the cane could pose a hazard to other students. We’d like your child to leave it at the door or in the locker."
4. "Your child doesn’t seem to want to use any specialized devices,” (e.g., a cane, braille, optical aids, assistive technology, etc.)."
5. "We don’t normally recommend a cane for children this young."
6. "We’re sorry. We are not going to be able to provide a one-on-one aide to care for your child like you do.” Or “Of course your child will need a personal aide. We can’t expect our teachers to do all that extra work."
7. "We are concerned about your child’s safety. We can’t let him/her be involved in that activity because we don’t want him/her to get hurt."
8. "Don’t worry, she’s doing fine. It’s normal for children who are blind to be a year or two behind."
9. "Sorry, our school is not equipped with and does not have the money for the assistive technology your child needs."
10. "We can’t get a certified teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired/orientation and mobility specialist (TVI/O&M) to come way out here!” or “Since our TVI/O&M has a large caseload, we can only provide _____ hours/minutes of services per week. "
11. "We don’t do things the way they did in your old school, and so we have to rewrite the IEP."
12. "We did our best to schedule everyone, but the general education teacher is unable to attend."
13. "These are the only job training opportunities we offer at this school."
14. "Some of the braille textbooks haven’t come in yet, but we’re getting them translated as fast as we can."
15. "We don’t feel your child needs braille."
16. "We don’t normally write that into the IEP."
Good luck on your next IEP.
Marla
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Addicted to Acronyms
As a parent of two visually impaired children, it's near impossible to know, let alone remember that we hear... ISFP, IEP, DSBVI, UFBVI, NFB, UCB, NOAH, and now UPOBC?? At a later time, I will discuss each acronym, but for now I will introduce the UPBC.
The Utah Parents of Blind Children (UPBC) is a state wide group of parents dedicated to the education and advancement of children with visual impairments - whether blind, partially sighted or having multiple disabilities including visual impairment. We are a division of the National Federation of the Blind which is the largest organization of the blind in the country. See: www.nfb.org
The purpose of the organization is to create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home, school and society, to provide information and support to parents of blind children; to facilitate the sharing of experiences and concerns among parents of blind children; to develop and expand resources available to parents and their blind children; to help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults; and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children in their ongoing efforts to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against the blind and to achieve for the blind security, equality and opportunity.
The membership is open to parents of blind children, educators of blind children and others interested in promoting the purposes of this organization.
For More Information or How Do I Join?
Contact Marla Palmer
1062 East Fairway Drive
North Salt Lake, Utah 84057
palmermommy@q.com
801-797-9760
Marla's Personal Note
I have had many friends and teachers inquire as to why we are involved with the UPOBC and the NFB.
The first question, "Why are you involved in an organization for the blind when you children are "only" visually impaired. I feel this is a fair question. In this blog I have used both the words "blind" and "visually impaired" so it doesn't deter parents, teacher, individual away from this site.
Carol Castelleno, a well known author and leader of the National Parents of Blind Organization explained, "The National Federation of the Blind tends to use the word "blind" to include those who are visually impaired. Others--and the field in general--prefer terms like"visually impaired" or "low vision" and make a strict distinction between people who are blind and those who have some residual vision. The problem is that when this strict distinction is made, the next step is to say that "blind people need braille while visually impaired people can use print; blind people must use a canewhile visually impaired people can use their eyesight to travel."
We in the Federation feel that this strict distinction in terminology and then in tools and techniques does a real disservice to those who are not totally blind because it keeps them from learning and using the nonvisual skills that would truly make their lives easier. So I guess you could say that we don't exactly focus more on blind people as opposed to people who are visually impaired; it's that we focus on getting people who are either blind or VI to use the skills that will make them more efficient, graceful, and independent in the tasks of daily life. And these tend to be the nonvisual or blindness skills."
Let's face it, there are low expectations for blind children and even adults. We as teachers and parents can be guilty of "coddling" our children and letting them "just get by". What happens when reality hits and they are suddenly 18? Then what? Do we allow them to be like the other 70% of unemployed blind Americans?
What do I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE? There are many successful, intelligent, employed, socially appropriate, blind adults mentors in the NFB. They are here in Utah and all over the United States! Since my oldest was an infant, we have invited these friends to our homes, to our children's IEPs, to their school to educate students, teachers and staff. We attend meetings, seminars, social events, dinners, and recreation activities so my children can know first hand what is expected, independence.
Mentoring is a powerful tool that's available, but is not being utilized to it's capacity. My children are learning Braille because they have met adults (with low vision) who wished they would've been taught this amazing literacy tool when they were younger. Braille could have been a choice when helping ease neck or eye strain; when labeling their personal files; or helped when giving a speech so they could give eye contact to their audience without worrying about an ink spot on their nose.
The second question I have heard is, "Isn't the NFB militant?" When asked this question, I ask for clarification on what they mean by militant. I don't think that question has ever gone beyond that. No one seems to know.
Is the NFB proactive? Yes. Is the NFB outspoken? Yes. Will the NFB take action if inequality, inaccessibility, or educational laws are not being met? Yes. This is why I am involved, I like an organization that is proactive. Is it perfect? No. There is always room for improvement in any organization. There are members of the NFB that may express their personal opinion about any issue. I try to always remember that personal opinions are just that..their own.
The UPBC and NFB are not the only support/consumer groups that are available. If it's not your "cup of tea", I strongly encourage parents look at everything that is available to network, mentor, and feel supportive. We do not have to do this alone. If you decide to venture elsewhere, please keep me in mind and let's network together!
The Utah Parents of Blind Children (UPBC) is a state wide group of parents dedicated to the education and advancement of children with visual impairments - whether blind, partially sighted or having multiple disabilities including visual impairment. We are a division of the National Federation of the Blind which is the largest organization of the blind in the country. See: www.nfb.org
The purpose of the organization is to create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home, school and society, to provide information and support to parents of blind children; to facilitate the sharing of experiences and concerns among parents of blind children; to develop and expand resources available to parents and their blind children; to help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults; and to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children in their ongoing efforts to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against the blind and to achieve for the blind security, equality and opportunity.
The membership is open to parents of blind children, educators of blind children and others interested in promoting the purposes of this organization.
For More Information or How Do I Join?
Contact Marla Palmer
1062 East Fairway Drive
North Salt Lake, Utah 84057
palmermommy@q.com
801-797-9760
Marla's Personal Note
I have had many friends and teachers inquire as to why we are involved with the UPOBC and the NFB.
The first question, "Why are you involved in an organization for the blind when you children are "only" visually impaired. I feel this is a fair question. In this blog I have used both the words "blind" and "visually impaired" so it doesn't deter parents, teacher, individual away from this site.
Carol Castelleno, a well known author and leader of the National Parents of Blind Organization explained, "The National Federation of the Blind tends to use the word "blind" to include those who are visually impaired. Others--and the field in general--prefer terms like"visually impaired" or "low vision" and make a strict distinction between people who are blind and those who have some residual vision. The problem is that when this strict distinction is made, the next step is to say that "blind people need braille while visually impaired people can use print; blind people must use a canewhile visually impaired people can use their eyesight to travel."
We in the Federation feel that this strict distinction in terminology and then in tools and techniques does a real disservice to those who are not totally blind because it keeps them from learning and using the nonvisual skills that would truly make their lives easier. So I guess you could say that we don't exactly focus more on blind people as opposed to people who are visually impaired; it's that we focus on getting people who are either blind or VI to use the skills that will make them more efficient, graceful, and independent in the tasks of daily life. And these tend to be the nonvisual or blindness skills."
Let's face it, there are low expectations for blind children and even adults. We as teachers and parents can be guilty of "coddling" our children and letting them "just get by". What happens when reality hits and they are suddenly 18? Then what? Do we allow them to be like the other 70% of unemployed blind Americans?
What do I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE? There are many successful, intelligent, employed, socially appropriate, blind adults mentors in the NFB. They are here in Utah and all over the United States! Since my oldest was an infant, we have invited these friends to our homes, to our children's IEPs, to their school to educate students, teachers and staff. We attend meetings, seminars, social events, dinners, and recreation activities so my children can know first hand what is expected, independence.
Mentoring is a powerful tool that's available, but is not being utilized to it's capacity. My children are learning Braille because they have met adults (with low vision) who wished they would've been taught this amazing literacy tool when they were younger. Braille could have been a choice when helping ease neck or eye strain; when labeling their personal files; or helped when giving a speech so they could give eye contact to their audience without worrying about an ink spot on their nose.
The second question I have heard is, "Isn't the NFB militant?" When asked this question, I ask for clarification on what they mean by militant. I don't think that question has ever gone beyond that. No one seems to know.
Is the NFB proactive? Yes. Is the NFB outspoken? Yes. Will the NFB take action if inequality, inaccessibility, or educational laws are not being met? Yes. This is why I am involved, I like an organization that is proactive. Is it perfect? No. There is always room for improvement in any organization. There are members of the NFB that may express their personal opinion about any issue. I try to always remember that personal opinions are just that..their own.
The UPBC and NFB are not the only support/consumer groups that are available. If it's not your "cup of tea", I strongly encourage parents look at everything that is available to network, mentor, and feel supportive. We do not have to do this alone. If you decide to venture elsewhere, please keep me in mind and let's network together!
Welcome
An official website is in the making, but in the meantime welcome to the Utah Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children Blog. Here you will find information and resources that will educate and empower. Each parent should have a solid understanding of their rights, roles and responsibilities. Calendar events, articles, opinions, and comments are welcomed and encouraged. It is my hope that we as parents can form a strong network that will make a difference in the lives of our children and those that will follow.
Marla Palmer
President, Utah Parents of Blind Children
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