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, May 2 @ 6:00 - 7:00p | Wednesday, May 15 @ 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, May 9 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: In Our Own Voice (Featuring Asian American voices!)

Signature NAMI program highlighting community voices. In May, learn from Asian Ameri can community members about their stories of living with a mental health condition and navigating their cultural and ethnic identity. Part of the event series: NAMI SF x AAPI Mental Health. For all community members! Monthly on the second Thursday. Zoom. 

Sunday, May 19 @ 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. 

May Programs

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

The second annual Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Summit! 2024 focus: generational trauma - what it is, how it manifests in a variety of Asian American communities, plus information on how to address generational trauma in family units and what resources exist in San Francisco. Part of the event series: NAMI SF x AAPI Mental Health. Panelists include: 

• Nicole Ng - Associate Director of Peer Counseling and Support Services at Richmond Area Multi Services (RAMS Inc.)
• Aaron Hui - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mental health counselor at Lowell High School in San Francisco
• Aaruba Ayesha - Trauma Therapist with Partnerships for Trauma Recovery in Berkeley, California
• Francis Gallego - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations in the Bay Area

The 2024 AAPI Mental Health Summit will be hosted via Zoom Webinar.
 

星期四，5月30日 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: 父母是盟友和倡議者 (粤语)

為父母/看護人提供的教育性演講。概述青少年心理健康問題，包括心理健康是什麼、心理健康疾病有多常見，以及文化污名如何影響華人社區的心理健康。此外，該演講將涵蓋導致某些人出現心理健康疾病的因素、警告信號以及與你的孩子溝通和支持孩子的實用方法。該演講還包括對當地資源的討論. Zoom Meeting ID: 867 6418 4718 Zoom Passcode: 756874
 

Thursday, May 30 @ 6:00 - 7:00p: Parents as Allies & Advocates (In Cantonese!) (Same as event listed immediately above)

Educational presentation for parents and caregivers that provides an overview of youth mental health, including what mental health is, common mental health conditions, and practical ways to communicate with and support your child. This program also includes a discussion of local resources. Part of the event series: NAMI SF x AAPI Mental Health. Facilitated by NAMI SF Chinese Liaison, Kelly Ma (kelly@namisf.org). Zoom.

Celebrate Youth Apprenticeship Week! 

Milton Marks Auditorium, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

2:00pm-5:00pm

• Enjoy snacks and beverages
• Meet local businesses and partners
• Sign up for DOR Student Services
• Hear success stories from student guest speakers

Start your path to independence and get support finding your first paid work experience! More information from DoR here.

Registration Link from The Parent Venture

We are excited to announce the third event in the new Neurodiversity Speaker Series!

The Neurodiversity Speaker Series features a lineup of renowned experts, including educators, mental health professionals, and advocates specializing in neurodiversity. It provides families with valuable insights and tools to better support neurodivergent learners, including those with with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and more.

This collaborative initiative seeks to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusion by equipping families and communities with the knowledge and resources they need to create supportive environments for their uniquely wired learners.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

What does it mean to be a “different thinker” or to identify as neurodiverse? Where can we find the full potential of our community? And how can we make strides toward creating a world in which every learner is recognized?

By sharing his own experiences with dyslexia and ADHD, David Flink will provide answers to these questions and more. In doing so, he’ll also provide a glimpse into the power of mentoring, community, and allyship in the lives of Different Thinkers.

At the presentation's core is a message of educational revolution for people who learn and think differently.

NEURODIVERSITY SPEAKER SERIES

The Neurodiversity Speaker Series features a lineup of renowned experts, including educators, mental health professionals, and advocates specializing in neurodiversity. It provides families with valuable insights and tools to better support and connect with neurodivergent learners, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and more.

This collaborative initiative seeks to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusion by equipping families and communities with the knowledge and resources they need to create supportive environments for their uniquely wired learners.

All events take place live virtually on Zoom from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. PST and will offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Please RSVP for event details and Zoom links. Events will be recorded for asynchronous viewing. 

Presented by Support for Families of Children with Disabilities

Register Here

If you have questions, reach out to Support for Families.

When behavior interferes with learning: connecting the dots between disability and mental health needs at school. 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.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30pm and plan on joining the CAC in person at the SFUSD Board of Education Meeting we will be sharing our Annual Report to the Board of Education and would love to have community voices joining us. The Special Education Department will also be sharing the proposed 24-25 budget this will be a very important meeting for our community.

Review information and materials for the May 14 Board of Education Meeting here.

Join us in celebrating literacy! All families are welcome. Explore literacy resources and help improve your child’s reading over the summer. For PK-5 graders! 

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Learn about personalized virtual tutoring
• Engage in literacy activities and games
• Pick up a summer reading book
• Support with ParentVue access

When: 

1. Saturday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Gordon J. Lau Elementary School (950 Clay St) 
2. Saturday, June 1, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at César Chávez Elementary School (825 Shotwell St)

REGISTER AT THIS LINK (registration encouraged, not required): 
tinyurl.com/SummerLiteracy2024

Hosted by the SFUSD District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) 

Register Today!

Flier (English/Spanish/Chinese)

CAC MAY MEETING 

PUBLIC HEARING: SELPA LOCAL PLAN: SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGET & SERVICE PLAN

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Please join the CAC for a community conversation about the SFUSD SELPA Local Plan. Attendees will be able to provide feedback on the 2024-2025 SFUSD special education budget and special education service plan. The information gathered at the meeting will inform SFUSD Special Education and CAC priorities for the coming year.

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 MAYO, AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA: PLAN LOCAL DEL SELPA: PRESUPUESTO Y PLAN DE SERVICIOS DE EDUCACIÓN ESPECIAL

CAC 5 月會議、公開聽證會：SELPA 當地計劃：特殊教育預算和服務計劃

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.

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