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When families of color advocate for our children, we are often ignored or met with hostility. For Black, Indigenous, and Latinx families, involvement in our children’s education can be ignored, unrecognized, and misunderstood. Schools often treat BIPOC families as if we have nothing to offer our own children. Our cultural wealth and knowledge is often seen as de minimis; it is not seen as an asset.
When families of color advocate for their children, they are often ignored or met with hostility — by contrast, white families are often listened to, and their interests accommodated.
For Black families, involvement in their child’s education can be ignored, unrecognized, and misunderstood. The Critical Supporters Community will equip parents with information about IDEA, IEP, FRPA, and 504 plans, empowering them to demand that their voices be heard, and emboldening them to act publicly together to hold school leaders and elected leaders accountable for policy and systems changes that improve educational and life outcomes for their children.
Children of color with disabilities experience the intersectional effects of racism and ableism in accessing high-quality education. These experiences mean children of color have poorer education and life outcomes than their white peers of similar abilities.
In 2016, the percentage of adults age 25 and older who had not completed high school was highest for Hispanic adults (33%) followed by 17% of Native American adults, 15% of Black adults, 13% of APIA adults, and 8% of White adults.
The Special Education Community Advocacy Network (SPED C.A.N!) will equip parents with information about IDEA, IEP, FRPA, and 504 plans, empowering us to demand that our voices be heard and that our children receive the services and equitable access to opportunities they deserve.
By providing parents with a culturally responsive SPED advocacy curriculum, coaching, and a traditional community organizing model, we are equipping a community of critical supporters with information, confidence, and the support necessary to advocate for our children and the children of our community effectively.
