What are the best ways to advocate for students with disabilities?

1 Know the law

One of the first steps to advocate for students with disabilities is to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and policies that protect their rights and entitlements. For example, in the United States, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that public schools provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities, regardless of their type or severity. This includes providing special education and related services, such as accommodations, modifications, assistive technology, or therapy, that are tailored to each student's individualized education program (IEP). As an educational leader, you should know the legal requirements and procedures for identifying, evaluating, and serving students with disabilities, and ensure that your school complies with them.

3 Build a supportive team

Advocating for students with disabilities is not a solo effort, but a collective one. You need to build a supportive team of professionals who share your vision and commitment to inclusive and equitable education. This may include teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists, therapists, administrators, or other specialists who work with students with disabilities. As an educational leader, you should provide your team with adequate training, resources, guidance, and feedback to help them deliver high-quality instruction and intervention to students with disabilities. You should also foster a culture of collaboration and trust among your team members, and encourage them to share their ideas, experiences, and best practices.

4 Promote awareness and inclusion

Advocating for students with disabilities also means promoting awareness and inclusion among the wider school community. You want to create a positive and welcoming climate where students with disabilities are valued, respected, and celebrated for their diversity and potential. As an educational leader, you should implement strategies to raise awareness and sensitivity about disability issues among your staff, students, and parents, such as workshops, campaigns, events, or newsletters. You should also support initiatives that foster inclusion and belonging among students with disabilities and their peers, such as peer mentoring, buddy programs, clubs, or extracurricular activities.

5 Advocate for systemic change

Finally, advocating for students with disabilities means advocating for systemic change that addresses the root causes and structural factors that contribute to educational inequity and injustice. You want to challenge and transform the policies, practices, and attitudes that limit the opportunities and outcomes of students with disabilities, and advocate for more funding, resources, and support for their education. As an educational leader, you should use your position and influence to speak up for the needs and interests of students with disabilities at the local, state, or national level, and collaborate with other advocates, organizations, or agencies that share your goals. You should also monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of your advocacy efforts, and seek to improve and innovate your strategies.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?