Alstrom Angels

Alstrom Syndrome is a very rare genetic disease that affects children by causing complete blindness, deafness, type 2 diabetes, dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, COPD, kidney and liver failure.  It is one of the most brutal diseases there is, as it touches every organ in the body. Most children are lost in their late teens…

UI Reach Program

“The University of Iowa REACH Program is a two-year, transition certificate program for students with multiple intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. UI REACH provides a campus experience to empower young adults to become independent, engaged members of the community. Courses, campus life, and career preparation assist students in reaching their full potential. UI REACH strives to maintain periodic contact…

Lessons from A Different Path

Crystal Horner, Chattanooga, TN On January 2nd, 2008 I woke up in a hospital room with a small view of the rising sun. I had been up earlier that night giving birth to my first child. Hudson James Horner was born a bit abruptly as I had gotten an upper respiratory infection and had been…

What Families with Special Needs Wish Their Pastors Knew

Last week Sandra Peoples published an article on Key Ministry’s blog entitled “What Special Needs Families Wish Their Pastors Knew”.   In that article, she shared five main points: We are lonely. We wish we could do more. We know you can’t control every church member’s reaction to our family, but you do set the…

Meaningful Ministry for Those with Disabilities

Stephanie Hubach, author of Same Lake Different Boat, is also mom to Tim.  Stephanie took the month of October to share some thoughts about Down Syndrome and various ways that it has impacted Tim as well as ways Tim has effected people’s view of  the abilities of someone with Down Syndrome. Post #8:  Down Syndrome…

Addressing Behavior in the IEP

This month the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services published a Dear Colleague Letter intended to help clarify the use of Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports in the IEP.  A copy of the guidance can be found here: Dear Colleague Letter-on-PBIS-in-IEPs–08-01-2016  Of course, as a governmental document, it was a little…

Is Inclusion Possible for Students with Disabilities in Hamilton County?

Chattanooga Inclusive Ed recently provided a requested white paper to Chattanooga 2.0 outlining current deficiencies in inclusive best practices in the Hamilton County Department of Education, a summary of evidence on the benefits of inclusion for children with and without exceptional needs, and concrete recommendations for reform. Here’s an excerpt from the white paper on…

Myths Associated with Inclusive Education

For years parents and educators have heard many excuses why students with disabilities should not be full included in their home zoned school..  Many times these excuses fall into specific categories. Myth #1: Students with significant disabilities educated in general education classrooms won’t get the support they need. Myth #2: Students with the most significant…

Achieving Inclusion

What Every Parent Advocating for Their Child Should Know “Had Nate’s family accepted the initial recommendation of the school, Nate would not have had access to the general education curriculum. He would not have read The Scarlet Letter and been able to share his thoughts on it with friends. He would not have dissected a…