idea means to me

8/12/2019 Idea Means to Me

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What IDEA Has

Meant to MeSubmissions from IDEA Stakeholders

to AIR, CEC and VSA


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Time to Flyby Alex Shirwo

Because of IDEA I feel like I

am able to accomplish my

goals, and find success and

happiness in this world.

This photograph, entitledTime to Fly represents my

ability to fly through the air

and reach for the stars when

I set my goals.


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By: Hayley Elizabeth Gripp

As I think back, chills run up my arms.

7thand 8thgrade were ever so hard.

I sit in my deskin prison for seven hours.My teacher is mean. She has all the power.

She makes me look bad and embarrasses me.

Tells the class Im weird and very crazy.

She knows I have Tourettes.

She doesnt care. She just thinks I dont belong anywhere.Little would she know, that she would be wrong,

And I would grow up to be strong.

For now I am a Senior, my last year in high school,

Where Im finally understood. They think Im cool.

I get help on homework, more time on tests.

With the IDEA Bill, I am a success.

Now I have friends, am an Ambassador,

A role model, and a leader,

And most of all a dreamer.

This is a poem describing my feelings about how the IDEA Bill has helped me.


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As a special educator I do see the difference IDEA

makes every day. I am proud to teach students who

do not limit themselves to just their disability,

but strive to do their very best everyday!

Lynne Dixon

Courtesy of CEC


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At the age of 4, Kaleb was

diagnosed with autism. When

he was first identified he had

no speech.

Kaleb has been receiving

speech and language services

from state funded programs for3 years and is now a talkative

and expressive little boy.

In this picture he is proudly

showing off the pirate hat thathe made at school that day.


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Thanks to speech, language and occupational services,

Kaleb is an expressive and fully functioning member of our family.

We are so thankful for the IDEA-related services we have received

as they have helped our son so much.


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My daughter has Sotos

Syndrome, and requiredintervention services from

the start. By the time she

began pre-school, we had

the good fortune of her

attending an inclusive setting

at our neighborhood

elementary school.

One Familys IDEA Storyby Linda Starnes

I learned about the Free Appropriate Public Education Act whilestudying to be a special education teacher, and now it has become a

part of the fabric of my own familys daily life.


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She still has modest supports in place through her IEP, and is looking

forward to attending college with supports through Vocational Rehab

and her campus disability office. Her brother was born with

Congenital Bilateral Perisylvian Syndrome, his situation is moremedically challenging and it took a lot of work with the education

system to determine the safest placement for my son.

He goes to school with a

nurse, and he uses assistivetechnology to communicate.

But this has not stopped him

from working toward his

goal of graduation andattending college too. He is

also in marching band with

his sister


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I feel certain that without what is now known as IDEA,

without my having the understanding of this law, and without the

desire on the part of other educators along the way to see IDEA put

into full practice, my two children would not know the quality ofeducation they have experienced to this day. They are a living

testament to the importance and the impact of IDEA.


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IDEA has enabled children of all abilities, needs, and gifts interact

together in one classroom all striving to be the best they can be.

It enables children to have the assistance they need and

feel more confident in an inclusive environment.


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Fifteen years ago a group of students with andwithout disabilities came together to start an

inclusion project designed to foster the spirit of IDEA

and give voice to students who try every day to

make inclusion a reality in their own schools and

communities. Partly because of IDEA, the Connect-

Ability newsletter goes out each year to schools

across the State where students are raisingawareness of disabilities And the many people

affected by them.


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My biggest success [because of IDEA is] watching my

students succeed after high school and coming back to

tell me what they are doing. Success can be defined

as, making it the first year in college or tech school,

or realizing that all of my high expectations were to

make them strong adults. Forget paperwork. A true

transition accomplishment is a productive, happy

adult with a disability who made it!

Jennifer

Courtesy of CEC


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7thgrade art student Joseph has struggled in the academic classroom,

facing barriers that come along with LD, ADHD and a hand tremor.

Luckily, Joseph began receiving services at a very early age and


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has had support for many years now.The services enable him to

keep up with his peers and stay in general education setting.

If it werent for IDEA, Joseph may never have gottenthe opportunity to take Art.


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A four-year old performs on stage following a 12 week dance and

movement therapy session and is taking bow proudly at the end of her

performance. She also helped to stitch the tutu she is wearing as part of

her occupational therapy, both services were made possible by IDEA.


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A boy in third grade is squinting to see the print in his book.

The experts say, Enlarge the print, hell be all right. This works for

a while; he is still creative and he continues to learn. By fifth grade,

he struggles to read the large print. By sixth grade, he can no longerread print. The experts say, Give him books on tape and a computer

with speech. By seventh grade, the boy cant spell enough to be

creative, and he is no longer learning. In eighth grade, he immerses

himself in Braille. In ninth grade, the boy starts learning again!

This is not a made up story; this is my story.

Thanks to IDEA, I was able to receive Braille instruction when I was

losing my vision. Now that I am able to read Braille I enjoy learning

and reading. Further, research shows that only 30% of blind adults

gain full-time employment, but 90% of those who beat these odds

are Braille readers. IDEA has given me what I need to be a

functional adult in my community .

Chris Puett


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One of the 51 students whose artwork was selected from a national

call featured in VSAs State of the Artexhibition at Union Station.

This annual call for original art was inclusive of students with and

without disabilities.

Courtesy of VSAThe

International

Organization on Arts

and Disability

Photo by:

Margot Schulman. Start

with the ArtsFamily

Day @ Smithsonian

American Art Museum,

Sunday, June 6, 2010.


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IDEA's inclusion of Parent Training and Information Centers and Community

Parent Resource Centers has helped millions of families from all backgrounds

advocate for quality services for their children, and to become

parent leaders to help improve services for

all children and families.

New Jerseys Parent Training and Information Center, the Statewide

Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) has been God-sent. I'm very

grateful for all my family has gained since that first meeting.

The support, the guidance and the hope is priceless. My husband

and I carry SPANs Spanish-language advocacy manual like a bible

and are thankful for the staff who lent me their voice because I did

not speak the language, and then helped me to find my voice and

learn how to speak for my child and family and other families likeours.

Maria A. (translated from Spanish)


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This poster was used in2001 to highlight the

achievements of adults

with disabilities who

have became productivemembers of society,

mostly as a result of the

transition services

provided for inPL94-142 and IDEA.


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The Lancer, Castle High School Newspaper

(excerpts) By Elisa Gross

As freshman Stephen Hamiltons pencil danced across his blank piece of paper, circles

and swirls materialized at an unbelievable pace. Before anyone could guess what he was

drawing, a tiger appeared out of the circles and swirls. Stephen had finished his picture in

under a minute.

Stephen, who has been diagnosed with autism and a communication disorder, started

drawing at the age of 4. Others were amazed by this talent. Special education teacher

Kelly Cochren was also astonished at Stephens gift.

The first day we made sure we had pencils, paper and crayons , Cochren said.

That first day he drew the dogs. We were in awe of it. I was so proud of him.

IDEA has given Stephen the opportunity to

receive his public education in his school of

residence. Stephen is a freshman in the Life

Skills Class at Castle High School. He has

impacted the school in a positive way byletting others get to know him through his

amazing artistic ability. His art work was

featured in an article in the school paper as

part of a Student Highlight series.


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I do find its therapeutic for him in a lot of ways, his mother said. For him, its

enjoyment and its, I think, in some ways comforting for him to be able to do that. Its his

outlet. I think it helps him express himself because he does then take the animals and talk

to us about the animals, so its a way of him being able to communicate.

Stephen, however, isnt the only one who receives enjoyment from his work. His

drawings have been displayed in Ponca City, Okla., and at the Hoosier Salon Art Gallery in

New Harmony.

His New Harmony art show was the first show where his work was framed and sold.












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Stephens technique is what sets his drawings apart from others and makes them so

interesting. He mainly uses circles to make his animals and starts the drawing at unusual

places. For example, when he drew a picture of a lion, he started from the paw and worked

his way out to the rest of the body, Cochren said. He also excludes the eyes in many of hisdrawings.

His technique hasnt changed from when he first started drawing, but his form has

improved. No one can predict what will come of Stephens drawings. All of those circles and

swirls that appeared on his blank piece of paper may one day become a famous

masterpiece.












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Dance therapy experiences for teens with disabilities

integrated with able bodied peers which

enriches all of their lives.

The program is made possible through Merced County Office of Education,

Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council and is supported by

IDEA funding and initiatives.


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The DC Special Education Co-

operative provides guidance,

resources, and advocacy, so thatschools can build and maintain high

quality special education programs

that meet the needs of all students.

The Co-operative's logo comes from adesign by Jeffrey, a 7-year-old boy

with a learning disability. This image

reminds us of the spirit of IDEA and

the Co-operative's belief that

when we work together with a

common vision for each individual

child, there are no limits to that

child's success.


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At the 2010 AAIDD Annual Conference in Providence, RI

IDEA is the individuals with disabilities act. I used to go to Norwood Public

Schools, in Norwood, MA, but I left to come to the Protestant Guild for

Human Services in Waltham, MA, because of my anger issues. But since I

came here, I learned to control them, so IDEA has been very helpful with

the funding because otherwise, I wouldnt be able to get into this school.

It has also helped me get a job, which I got a raise in.

It has helped me a lot with my life.

Robert (second from right in photo)


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Summit Academy provides

an alternative education

program for children whose

needs cannot be met in a

local public school program.

Because of IDEA thesestudents receive services as

part of their IEP.

The following is artwork

created by a student who

benefited from these

services because of IDEA.


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Summit Academy provides

an alternative education

program for children whose

needs cannot be met in a

local public school program.

Because of IDEA thesestudents receive services as

part of their IEP.

The following is artwork

created by a student who

benefited from these

services because of IDEA.


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A student from VSA Grand Rapids explores the technique ofJapanese Stab Binding led by VSA Teaching Artist Fellow,

Tom Harmon, as part of VSAs Start with the Arts Family Day.

Start with the Arts Family Day activities were designed to be fully

inclusive of students both with and without disabilities.

Courtesy of VSA

The International

Organization on Arts and

Disability

Photo by:Margot Schulman.

Start with the ArtsFamily

Day @ Smithsonian

American Art Museum,

Sunday, June 6, 2010.


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My son qualified for special education and

related services since the age of 2 1/2. Over the years,

he had a myriad of disabilities that impeded his learning.

After educating myself and getting advocates who helped

me get my son the Free Appropriate Public Education that

met his needs, he is now a Junior in High School and hasbeen on the honor roll every quarter since 9th grade.

If it weren't for IDEA, he would have never had the

law on his side to get what he needed.

The poem The Struggle Within

describes this journey.


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THESTRUGGLEWITHIN

Part I

Before IDEA and appropriate services

Beautiful Boy, with eyes of blue

Sensitive soul, for if you knewThe struggle within, the anguish to hide,

When he's at school, he's lost inside.

To thrive in a world where he doesn't fit in,

To route his synapses to learn like "them".

Blind rat in a maze, is it safe or danger,

He just doesn't know, out comes the anger.

It wasn't always so complicated,

Like a balloon, he slowly deflated.

Under siege, academic war,

A soldier of one, can't take much more.

Whoever thought, when he was born

That he would have his bright soul torn.His day goes by, so Frustrated

Reprimanded, Castigated

How many days of this could he take?

How much effort more could he make?

When will it stop, I often pray.

I watch his self esteem decay.


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THESTRUGGLEWITHIN

Part II

After advocacy and appropriate services from IDEA

And so he braved the days, to the end

His spirits would not falter, they would not bend

His loved ones rallied for help, his teachers heard the call.

They were befuddled to help him stop his fall.

There was no map, the route was not clear,

Not an easy journey, but not to be feared

A new approach, and he worked so hard

Things started clicking, his days no longer marred.

His grades improved, his self esteem too.

And it showed within his eyes of blue.

Honor roll, principals list. Could it be true?

Yes it was, it was something we all knew.

When we look back, from where hes been

All we see is the successful student within.

Part I

Before IDEA and appropriate services

Beautiful Boy, with eyes of blue

Sensitive soul, for if you knewThe struggle within, the anguish to hide,

When he's at school, he's lost inside.

To thrive in a world where he doesn't fit in,

To route his synapses to learn like "them".

Blind rat in a maze, is it safe or danger,

He just doesn't know, out comes the anger.

It wasn't always so complicated,

Like a balloon, he slowly deflated.

Under siege, academic war,

A soldier of one, can't take much more.

Whoever thought, when he was born

That he would have his bright soul torn.His day goes by, so Frustrated

Reprimanded, Castigated

How many days of this could he take?

How much effort more could he make?

When will it stop, I often pray.

I watch his self esteem decay.


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A student from VSA Michigans

ArtsJAM! Detroit Percussion Ensemble

performs at the Smithsonian

Institutions Discovery Theater.ArtJAM! (Jobs and Mentoring)

students work afterschool with

professional artists and educators in a

series of percussion, visual art,

writing, and dance workshops and

develop life enhancing and pre-

vocational skills as they prepare to

enter the workforce.

Courtesy of VSAThe International Organization on Arts and Disability

Photo by: Bathsheba Fournier. AfroBeats: Mali to Motor City@ Discovery Theatre, Tuesday, June 8, 2010.


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The money appropriated to train special education personnel

in the passage of IDEA provided me with a masters and

doctorate in Adapted Physical Education.


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Because of IDEAs legislation,

I am a professor who has educated over 3,000 pre-service teachers to

meet the needs of children with disabilities in PE & aquatics.


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Ms. Suske is one of the most understanding teachers I have ever had

in my life. She always helps me when I need help and she

congratulates me when I reach one of my goals. She is very nice and

understanding. She always helps me when I need help.I had her from first grade to fifth grade. She has made such a positive

impact on my life it is amazing. She would always help me when I

needed help and would help me learn. She made life so much

different for me. When I look back I cant see my life without her,

she was so nice and understanding.

Her class was a major thing in my life and I cannot see doing this goodin school if it wasnt for her. I think she has made the biggest impact

on my life and I dont know where I would be without her today.

So that is why I think she is one of the best teachers I have ever had.

By J.D.

7thGrade

I am in my 19th year of teaching students with disabilities. J.D. was one of my students in my first

year. When he left elementary school, he wrote a piece which his mom had framed for me.

It's still on display in my classroom.

Working with students is why I teach and IDEA has given J.D. and countless other children the help

they need to learn in school. I am proud to have been able to provide the support

that these children need.


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IDEA has impacted my life via my son who has

exceptional needs. This exposure led me to a career

change to be part of the solution for students with

special needs and at risk, by becoming a special

education teacher.

- Melissa Chafin

Courtesy of CEC


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Dance therapy experiences for teens with disabilities integrated

with able bodied peers which enriches all of their lives.


Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council

and is supported by IDEA funding and initiatives.


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Daily I support students and adults living with many disabilities.

Often I stop what I am doing and look.

Actually look past the persons exterior to see if they are truly content.

I do this because this person could be me.

Who is to say I wont have a brain injury at 46 years old and need

the same supports?

If this were to happen would you be patient, would you be kind,Will you humbly wipe my chin and keep my dignity intact,

If I am struggling with a word will you sit quietly and let me work it out?

I trust you will be real with me and not speak to me as a child.

Most of all, if you see my discontent will you dig deeper and discover

the true reason?

My work is to be carried out as if I was in that wheelchair, mainstream

classroom, vocational workshop, or after-school tutoring.

My duty is to ensure that each person I support is treated as if it was me

looking back up at myself.

I see the impact of

IDEA every day

while working for anon-profit that is

striving to be a

premier provider of

services to people

with disabilities and

other needs.

Additionally, my

son has been

personally

protected and

supported by IDEA

as he navigatedthrough public

school while living

with severe

learning

disabilities.

Seeing You In MeKevin Planck


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Original raps composed and presented by disabled students and

alumni volunteers, during Summer Youth Arts





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IDEA's inclusion of Parent Training and Information Centers and Community

Parent Resource Centers has helped millions of families from all backgrounds

advocate for quality services for their children, and to become parent leaders

to help improve services for all children and families.

As an African-American woman, I think the biggest challenge for

developing leadership is that a majority of people don't really

feel empowered to effect change . New Jerseys Parent Training

and Information Center, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network

(SPAN) has been instrumental in helping me to feel empowered

and, therefore, willing to be a more integral part of the process

by taking on leadership roles. It is powerful to know that you

are part of something bigger than yourself, that your efforts are

appreciated by others, and that with both success and failure,you are supported by others who believe in things that you

believe in.

Carolyn H.


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Angel Wings

A six-year old child created the art work pictured as a gift to her sibling.

She created the piece in a therapeutic arts program called Arts for All Kids.

Programs like these are more widely available thanks to IDEA!

M di d i h


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My son was diagnosed with a

learning disability when he was four.

Two years later, after much

research, and seeing many

professionals, we learned that he

had Asperger's Syndrome. It is

because of the IDEA regulations and

the tremendous related support he

received in school and at home

(speech, OT, social skills and

counseling) that he has been able to

overcome challenges and excel.

He has even been able to use his

strong interest in pro wrestling to

host his own radio show during

which he interviews wrestlers and is

a color commentator for an

independent wrestling company.

I am very thankful to all of the

teachers and professionals!


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IDEA helps my kids who would normally be sent home for

behavior concerns by helping their teachers understand

its not the behavior that's the problem, the behavior is a

red flag for a much bigger problem or disability. So we

work to keep them at school where they can learn coping

skills rather than escape their problems.

Barb Daugherty

Courtesy of CEC


45/61

Our son definitely experienced increased access and inclusion because of IDEA. I

took a tour of Lipman Pre-School when I was pregnant with Victor, not knowing

that he would be born with Down syndrome. It is the school I wanted for him

then, and because of IDEA it is still the school he attends now.


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Our son definitely experienced increased access and inclusion because of IDEA.

I took a tour of Lipman Pre-School when I was pregnant with Victor,

not knowing that he would be born with Down syndrome.

It is the school I wanted for him then, and because of IDEA

it is still the school he attends now.


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My 4-year-old nephew has been given the opportunity to

succeed because of the access he is given to the world through

the provision of IDEA. This is a thank you to his teachers andservice providers who believe in his abilities instead of allowing

him to be discouraged by his struggles or lack of ability.

My 4 year old nephew has been given the opportunity to succeed because of the access


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Who I Can Be

You knew me and you took a stand,

You pull me up and hold my hand.

You bend your ear and hear my voice,

You respect my life and give me a choice.

Youve seen my struggles, but know my strengths;

To help me succeed, youll go to great lengths.

You see Im different, but know everyone is!

My contributions and abilities you never dismiss.

You give me the chance to be a success,

When I ask Can I do it? you always say yes.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity,

To show myself and the world who I can really be.

My 4-year-old nephew has been given the opportunity to succeed because of the access

he is given to the world through the provision of IDEA. This is a thank you to his teachers

and service providers who believe in his abilities instead of allowing him to be

discouraged by his struggles or lack of ability.

D th i f t ith di biliti i t t d


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As a teacher of the visually impaired, IDEA is perhaps one of

the most important laws that impact me daily. It is also the

first law I teach my students, so that they know what theirrights are as students. It is empowering to the students to

learn that their education is free and appropriate, that they

are a vital part of their IEP team, and they have the right to

know what services that they are entitled to have

Happy Birthday, IDEA! May you forever shine over all

students with special needs.

Liz Eagan Satter

Courtesy of CEC

IDEA id h


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IDEAs wide reach

As a pediatrician with the military, weincorporated the IDEA in our policies to

evaluate all patients for special needs,

incorporating the precepts in Exceptional

Family Member Program (EFMP) to ensure

required medical care and education were

available wherever service personnel might

be assigned worldwide.

It's the ultimate program for establishing a

comprehensive care plan that follows the

family member throughout the career of

their sponsor, based on the precepts of

IDEA.


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My child was diagnosed with moderately severe

severe bilateral hearing loss at two and a half months old.

In the beginning it was confusing and my husband andI did not know what we needed to do first.


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Early Intervention therapists have helped us to learn and

understand what our daughter needs and have welcomedour entire family into the sessions too, so that even her

uncles and grandma can help her learn.


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Early Intervention therapists have helped us to learn and

understand what our daughter needs and have welcomedour entire family into the sessions too, so that even her

uncles and grandma can help her learn.

Now Allie is right where she should be at her age for bothreceptive and expressed language. She talks nonstop, and

is learning new words and phrases faster than we can keep

up! Thanks to IDEA services we have guidance, and we

have a plan.

Nicholas Krishnan is a musician


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Nicholas Krishnan is a musician

and athlete. He also has autism,

along with a recently diagnosed

seizure disorder. Yet, Nicholas'

disability has never held him

back from being a percussionist

in the marching band, a swimmer

on the swim team, a tenor for

the choir, or a participant withthe track and field team.

In this photo, Nicholas enjoyed

the happiest day of his life at his

mainstream high school

graduation ceremonies!

ff h l


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IDEA affected Nicholas

well after high school

graduation.

Finding a place of worship

would have been a challenge

for Nicholas, had he not been

fully included in his marchingband in high school because

of IDEA. Nicholas met his

future church choir director

in marching band. Laura was

a senior and Nicholas was a

freshman in the band

together.



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This is a poem written from the perspective of an

individual with special needs and is dedicated to all the

individuals with special needs and all those who havefought and are fighting on their behalf. I am a veteran

educator and administrator of 31 years and I worked as

a liaison for students with special needs.

Thanks to IDEA, I had a powerful force on my side to

support my kids.

Happy Anniversary to IDEA!

And Justice for All


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And Justice for All

Dont look at me as if I am so different from you.

If you take a good look in the mirror, you will see flaws in you too.

I know you dont think I hear when you whisper about me to your friends,

you say, there goes that special kid trying to fit in.

How would you feel if you were left out of everything?

Its kind of like a bird trying to fly without any wings.

Oh, but just when I thought no one cared about special people like us,

The government came through by passing laws and requiring justice.

Justice for all is how it is suppose to be.

It feels good to know that someone cares about me.

Let us all do what we can to help our fellow man.

Support individuals with special needs and dont be afraid to take a stand.

By:Andreas Feltus-Flynn


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IDEA has empowered a generation of

teachers, parents and students to reach for

endless opportunities of learning!

Marcus Walton

Courtesy of CEC

At the 2010 AAIDD Annual Conference in Providence RI


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At the 2010 AAIDD Annual Conference in Providence, RI

IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees a Free Appropriate Public

Education, for those with a form of disability. It affected my life by giving me the education I need for

my life. It has just about everything to do with the school and its services. From education to vocationalwork, its preparing me a lot for life. I was at a public school from grades K-5, but left because I was

unhappy with the level of work they wouldve given me if I didnt leave. They had nothing I needed.

Now that Im here, Im much better vocationally, like learning how to budget and bank money, and

going out in the community, sometimes using the local transit system. Plus, I have more privileges now.

In short, the law has helped me a lot.

idea means to me

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