Talk to an Education Advocate
If you live in Alameda, Contra Costa or Yolo Counties, an Education Advocate can talk to you about special education and give you resources so you can make informed decisions about your child's education and other individual needs.
Call 800-348-4232
Children and Family Advocacy
When DREDF was created in 1979, it was a unique alliance between adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities - a structure that remains today. The goal of our Children and Family Advocacy program is to ensure that current rights are preserved, strengthened and enforced and that the interests of children with disabilities are represented in educational reform. DREDF educates parents and professionals on the rights of children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Find out more about our current children and family advocacy activities by choosing one of the menu items to the left.
NEW DAY! IEP CLINIC – Third Tuesday of Every Month
DREDF holds a free Individual Education Program (IEP) clinic once a month for parents who want help strategizing and preparing for an upcoming IEP meeting. Please note that there are two prerequisites to fulfill before you can participate in an IEP Clinic:
1. You must have attended a basic special education workshop. We offer training on the second Monday of the month. Please call (510-644-2555) or email Tyler Zoanni (tzoanni@dredf.org) to reserve a spot.
2. You must speak with an education advocate by phone. Call 510-644-2555 ext. 227 and ask to speak with an education advocate.
Appointments are required. Call or email Tyler Zoanni at 510-644-2555 ext. 227 or tzoanni@dredf.org
Where: Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), 2212 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA
Date: Third Tuesday of every month
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (30 minute appointments)
Contact: Tyler Zoanni at tzoanni@dredf.org or 510-644-2555 ext. 227
The special education system is complex and can be overwhelming - there is a lot of information to learn, understand and use to improve the educational outcomes for our children. Fortunately, there are thousands of resources available to families - most of them available online. For example, the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has funded many projects to research issues in disability and education; hundreds of advocacy organizations provide information for families and education agencies provide guidance to school professionals and families. Check out the Special Education Resource page for information on:
IDEA 2004
Individual Education Programs
Assessments and Evaluations
Response to Intervention
Measurable Goals
Behavior
Discipline
Related Services
Transportation
Transition
Assistive Technology
Procedural Safeguards and Due Process
And more
