We appreciate Wayne doing an interview with Equal Opportunities for Students. He has been working in special education for more than 25 years, which makes him a perfect fit for Food for Thought.
Students, parents, and teachers all need to learn about the educational laws that dictate our school system, and we agree that IDEA is a great place to start. If parents, students, and teachers can learn about IDEA before they need to use it, they have more time to think it over, and are more prepared to make informed decisions. Students should be taught to advocate for themselves, and know what accommodations they need. Teaching students from this perspective would also help students to understand having a disability is a normal thing, and that students with disabilities shouldn’t be treated differently because of it. It is also important that students and parents know where to go if their rights as a student or parent are being violated, and it’s hindering their ability to get an education. How would you suggest we teach this to children and parents? Are there any other lessons you think children need to be taught in school?