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Success Stories

Navigating health care, community, education and transitions accompanying the school years requires coordination and cooperation with multiple partners and agencies, both non-disability and disability-specific. This includes laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), partnerships with medical providers, school districts, vocational rehabilitation, employment providers and state disability systems. This can be a daunting task with many families doing this with little or no assistance. Understanding and advocating for what is needed requires skills and relationships with others inside and outside of the disability world. Access to timely information and assistance is critical to family efficacy as they navigate this maze. The more contacts families have with their community, the more opportunities they have for relationships and networks that provide natural supports – not disability system driven supports. These contacts and supports play an increasingly important role as the child’s experiences extend beyond the family.  Wingspread Report, 2011