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Education

Speak Up Arkansas: Why Voting in Every Election is Important

Episode Summary:

On this episode of Speak Up Arkansas, we are joined by Senator Joyce Elliott with Get Loud Arkansas as well as Rebecca Zimmerman from  Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. We are doing to dive into voting, barriers to voting, and really discuss why voting in EVERY election is important.

Topics Discussed

  • History of Voting (4:28)
  • Barriers to Voting (9:38)
  • Why Voting in Every Election is Important (21:39)
  • How to Get Involved (41:29)
  • Voter Purging (52:38)

Resources / Helpful Links

Episode Transcript

Transcript of the episode’s audio

Calls to Action

Speak Up Arkansas: Back to School with IEPs

Episode Summary:

This is an important time of year for parents, students, and educators – back to school! It can also be a frustrating and scary time trying to navigate your child’s Individualized Education Program, or IEP. In adding transition services into the IEP, and a NEW proactive curriculum coming out to aid you in your IEP journey. I am so excited to be joined by Ally Thomlinson, Director of Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy, Derek Henderson – Attorney at Disability Rights Arkansas and former educator, Mollie Hernandez – Advocate at Disability Rights Arkansas, former educator, and transition services extraordinaire, and finally Kyla Bishop – attorney at Disability Rights Arkansas.

Topics Discussed

  • IEP Curriculum – (1:58) | (14:56)
  • Individualized Education Programs (IEP) – (5:58)
  • Parent Support Groups – (22:15)
  • Dispute Resolutions – (25:07)
  • Restraint & Seclusion – (31:10)
  • Transition Services – (46:42)
  • Rapid Fire Q&A – (53:48)

Resources / Helpful Links

Episode Transcript

Transcript of the episode’s audio

Calls to Action

Back-to-School: Resources for Special Education

A new school year is upon us, and while it looks different under a pandemic, schools are still required to make and honor IEPs for students. We have a few resources that may be helpful to you as you and your children embark on a new school year.

We hope you find these helpful! And remember – we are here if you need guidance or if your child’s IEP isn’t being respected, you can call us toll-free at 800-482-1174.

VIDEO: DRA Advocate Debbie New on what parents need to know as this school year gets underway.

PUBLICATIONS: DRA has published some very helpful resources for parents. The “Blue Book” (published in English and Spanish) is a reference guide for parents who wish to learn more about special education law. A Parent’s Guide to Special Education is our most popular resource, and can be very helpful to any parent of a child receiving special education services.

“Blue Book ” (English version)

“Blue Book” (Spanish version)

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education

Wishing everyone a safe and successful school year!

Special education in the time of COVID: Tonight on KABF 88.3

KABF 88.3 logo: a black background with a yellow shape of the state of Arkansas. In black lettering, the words KABF FM 88.3, Little Rock, AR, on air since '84, with a radio tower motif in black.

On tonight’s Speak Up Arkansas, we’re talking about special education.

Thanks to COVID-19, the schools are closed – but across the state of Arkansas, kids are still participating in education through the use of alternative methods of instruction, or AMI. This has presented a challenge to educators and parents alike. For Arkansas students with disabilities who receive special education services and require additional therapies and accommodations, the challenge is even greater. What are the different services that children in special education receive, and how are the state and districts ensuring that children are getting what they need during this unprecedented time?

On tonight’s pre-recorded show are DRA Legal and Advocacy Director Thomas Nichols, DRA attorney Kyla Bishop, and Matt Sewell, head of the Arkansas Department of Education’s Special Education Unit.

Lots of great information on this one, so you won’t want to miss it. Tune in or livestream tonight at 5:00 p.m. on KABF 88.3 FM. And if you miss the show on air, we’re posting it on our website so you can listen anytime!

Link to KABF: https://kabf.org

Link to Speak Up Arkansas on the DRA website: https://k4q.c18.myftpupload.com/speak-up-arkansas/

DRA joins members of Consortium in opposing waivers under IDEA, Rehabilitation Act

Over 300 national, state, and local organizations representing people with disabilities and their families have sent a letter to congressional leaders, expressing opposition to the proposed use of waivers under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act. Disability Rights Arkansas is among those who have signed the letter. Read the letter here.