Don't IEP Alone.
Inspired by her own son with disabilities, Lisa Lightner is an award-winning blogger and advocate. She has previously worked for her county's Arc and has served on the Boards of Directors for several disability organizations.
Currently, she is her county's chairperson for the Right to Education Task Force, a federally decreed group set up in 1971 to ensure that all children in Pennsylvania had the opportunity to an education.
When not attending IEP meetings with families or lobbying in Harrisburg and DC for disability rights, she can be found on the web at her IEP advice blog, A Day in our Shoes. She is known for her practical, realistic and implementable advice for parents.
Warning: I've been told I have a Philly accent. I don't hear it. Also, I curse. It's something I'm working on as far as personal development. So please don't be put off. I'm trying.
📣 Exciting News! You can now preorder my book on Amazon, Books-A-Million, Bookshop.org or Barnes & Noble! 📣
📚 Bookshop.org has it on sale! 📚
Don't IEP Alone.
From ESY Struggles to Graduation Emotions: Holding Space for Special Needs Parents
Get the book: https://adayinourshoes.com/book/
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! As we approach the end of the school year, Lisa dives into the home stretch with timely advice for families navigating IEPs, particularly around Extended School Year (ESY) services. In this candid and heartfelt episode, Lisa shares her personal experiences as a special needs parent, reflecting on making choices about ESY programs, the emotional nuances of milestones like graduation, and the unique challenges faced by families with disabled or neurodiverse children.
Lisa also addresses some of the current divisions within the autism and disability communities, emphasizing the need for real advocacy over social media arguments, and shares updates on valuable resources like her free life skills virtual camp, upcoming webinars, and new toolkit mini-courses for both parents and teachers. Whether you’re figuring out summer plans or feeling the weight of this season, Lisa reminds us that you’re not alone, offering encouragement, practical tips, and a dose of solidarity for everyone in this space.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
📣 Exciting News! You can now preorder my book on Amazon, Books-A-Million, Bookshop.org or Barnes & Noble! 📣
📚 Bookshop.org has it on sale! 📚
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents
🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question
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