“What IDEA Has Meant to Me”

1. “What IDEA Has Meant to Me” Submissions from IDEA Stakeholders to AIR, CEC and VSA

2. Time to Flyby Alex Shirwo “Because of IDEA I feel like I am able to accomplish my goals, and find success and happiness in this world. This photograph, entitled ‘Time to Fly’ represents my ability to fly through the air and reach for the stars when I set my goals.”

3. This is a poem describing my feelings about how the IDEA Bill has helped me. By: Hayley Elizabeth Gripp As I think back, chills run up my arms. 7th and 8th grade were ever so hard. I sit in my desk—in prison for seven hours. My teacher is mean. She has all the power. She makes me look bad and embarrasses me. Tells the class I’m weird and very crazy. She knows I have Tourette’s. She doesn’t care. She just thinks I don’t belong anywhere. Little would she know, that she would be wrong, And I would grow up to be strong. For now I am a Senior, my last year in high school, Where I’m finally understood. They think I’m cool. I get help on homework, more time on tests. With the IDEA Bill, I am a success. Now I have friends, am an Ambassador, A role model, and a leader, And most of all a dreamer.

4. As a special educator I do see the difference IDEA makes every day. I am proud to teach students who do not limit themselves to just their disability, but strive to do their very best everyday! —Lynne Dixon Courtesy of CEC

5. At the age of 4, Kaleb was diagnosed with autism. When he was first identified he had no speech. Kaleb has been receiving speech and language services from state funded programs for 3 years and is now a talkative and expressive little boy. In this picture he is proudly showing off the pirate hat that he made at school that day.

6. Thanks to speech, language and occupational services, Kaleb is an expressive and fully functioning member of our family. We are so thankful for the IDEA-related services we have received as they have helped our son so much.

7. One Family’s IDEA Story by Linda Starnes My daughter has Sotos Syndrome, and required intervention services from the start. By the time she began pre-school, we had the good fortune of her attending an inclusive setting at our neighborhood elementary school. I learned about the Free Appropriate Public Education Act while studying to be a special education teacher, and now it has become a part of the fabric of my own family’s daily life.

8. She still has modest supports in place through her IEP, and is looking forward to attending college with supports through Vocational Rehab and her campus disability office. Her brother was born with Congenital Bilateral PerisylvianSyndrome, his situation is more medically challenging and it took a lot of work with the education system to determine the safest placement for my son. He goes to school with a nurse, and he uses assistive technology to communicate. But this has not stopped him from working toward his goal of graduation and attending college too. He is also in marching band with his sister

9. I feel certain that without what is now known as IDEA, without my having the understanding of this law, and without the desire on the part of other educators along the way to see IDEA put into full practice, my two children would not know the quality of education they have experienced to this day. They are a living testament to the importance and the impact of IDEA.

10. IDEA has enabled children of all abilities, needs, and gifts interact together in one classroom all striving to be the best they can be. It enables children to have the assistance they need and feel more confident in an inclusive environment.

11. Fifteen years ago a group of students with and without disabilities came together to start an inclusion project designed to foster the spirit of IDEA and give voice to students who try every day to make inclusion a reality in their own schools and communities. Partly because of IDEA, the Connect-Ability newsletter goes out each year to schools across the State where students are raising awareness of disabilities And the many people affected by them.

12. My biggest success [because of IDEA is] watching my students succeed after high school and coming back to tell me what they are doing. Success can be defined as, “making it the first year in college or tech school,” or realizing that all of my high expectations were to make them strong adults. Forget paperwork. A true transition accomplishment is a productive, happy adult with a disability who made it!—Jennifer Courtesy of CEC

13. 7th grade art student Joseph has struggled in the academic classroom, facing barriers that come along with LD, ADHD and a hand tremor. Luckily, Joseph began receiving services at a very early age and…

14. …has had support for many years now. The services enable him to keep up with his peers and stay in general education setting. If it weren’t for IDEA, Joseph may never have gotten the opportunity to take Art.

15. A four-year old performs on stage following a 12 week dance and movement therapy session and is taking bow proudly at the end of her performance. She also helped to stitch the tutu she is wearing as part of her occupational therapy, both services were made possible by IDEA.

16. A boy in third grade is squinting to see the print in his book. The experts say, “Enlarge the print, he’ll be all right.” This works for a while; he is still creative and he continues to learn. By fifth grade, he struggles to read the large print. By sixth grade, he can no longer read print. The experts say, “Give him books on tape and a computer with speech.” By seventh grade, the boy can’t spell enough to be creative, and he is no longer learning. In eighth grade, he immerses himself in Braille. In ninth grade, the boy starts learning again! This is not a made up story; this is my story. Thanks to IDEA, I was able to receive Braille instruction when I was losing my vision. Now that I am able to read Braille I enjoy learning and reading. Further, research shows that only 30% of blind adults gain full-time employment, but 90% of those who beat these odds are Braille readers. IDEA has given me what I need to be a functional adult in my community . —Chris Puett

17. One of the 51 students whose artwork was selected from a national call featured in VSA’s State of the Art exhibition at Union Station. This annual call for original art was inclusive of students with and without disabilities. Courtesy of VSA—The International Organization on Arts and Disability Photo by: Margot Schulman. Start with the Arts Family Day @ Smithsonian American Art Museum, Sunday, June 6, 2010.

18. IDEA's inclusion of Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers has helped millions of families from all backgrounds advocate for quality services for their children, and to become parent leaders to help improve services for all children and families. “New Jersey’s Parent Training and Information Center, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) has been God-sent. I'm very grateful for all my family has gained since that first meeting. The support, the guidance and the hope is priceless. My husband and I carry SPAN’s Spanish-language advocacy manual like a bible and are thankful for the staff who lent me their voice because I did not speak the language, and then helped me to find my voice and learn how to speak for my child and family and other families like ours.” —Maria A. (translated from Spanish)

19. This poster was used in 2001 to highlight the achievements of adults with disabilities who have became productive members of society, mostly as a result of the transition services provided for in PL94-142 and IDEA.

20. “IDEA has given Stephen the opportunity to receive his public education in his school of residence. Stephen is a freshman in the Life Skills Class at Castle High School. He has impacted the school in a positive way by letting others get to know him through his amazing artistic ability. His art work was featured in an article in the school paper as part of a Student Highlight series.” The Lancer, Castle High School Newspaper (excerpts) By Elisa Gross As freshman Stephen Hamilton’s pencil danced across his blank piece of paper, circles and swirls materialized at an unbelievable pace. Before anyone could guess what he was drawing, a tiger appeared out of the circles and swirls. Stephen had finished his picture in under a minute. Stephen, who has been diagnosed with autism and a communication disorder, started drawing at the age of 4. Others were amazed by this talent. Special education teacher Kelly Cochren was also astonished at Stephen’s gift. “The first day we made sure we had pencils, paper and crayons ,” Cochren said. “That first day he drew the dogs. We were in awe of it. I was so proud of him.”

21. “IDEA has given Stephen the opportunity to receive his public education in his school of residence. Stephen is a freshman in the Life Skills Class at Castle High School. He has impacted the school in a positive way by letting others get to know him through his amazing artistic ability. His art work was featured in an article in the school paper as part of a Student Highlight series.” The Lancer, Castle High School Newspaper (excerpts) By Elisa Gross “I do find it’s therapeutic for him in a lot of ways,” his mother said. “For him, it’s enjoyment and it’s, I think, in some ways comforting for him to be able to do that. It’s his outlet. I think it helps him express himself because he does then take the animals and talk to us about the animals, so it’s a way of him being able to communicate.” Stephen, however, isn’t the only one who receives enjoyment from his work. His drawings have been displayed in Ponca City, Okla., and at the Hoosier Salon Art Gallery in New Harmony. His New Harmony art show was the first show where his work was framed and sold.

22. “IDEA has given Stephen the opportunity to receive his public education in his school of residence. Stephen is a freshman in the Life Skills Class at Castle High School. He has impacted the school in a positive way by letting others get to know him through his amazing artistic ability. His art work was featured in an article in the school paper as part of a Student Highlight series.” The Lancer, Castle High School Newspaper (excerpts) By Elisa Gross Stephen’s technique is what sets his drawings apart from others and makes them so interesting. He mainly uses circles to make his animals and starts the drawing at unusual places. For example, when he drew a picture of a lion, he started from the paw and worked his way out to the rest of the body, Cochren said. He also excludes the eyes in many of his drawings. His technique hasn’t changed from when he first started drawing, but his form has improved. No one can predict what will come of Stephen’s drawings. All of those circles and swirls that appeared on his blank piece of paper may one day become a famous masterpiece.

23. Dance therapy experiences for teens with disabilities integrated with able bodied peers which enriches all of their lives. The program is made possible through Merced County Office of Education, Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council and is supported by IDEA funding and initiatives.

24. It is the best IDEA ever. Experiences throughout my life, from babysitting at a young age the neighbor girl who with lived with DCD, tutoring while in high school and answering the call of my life to become a special educator, to becoming a parent of a child who lives with a disability, all have shown me the necessity for IDEA and continued support and growth in the services offered. Without its backing, not only my child, but too many to number would not be excelling and becoming their best. —Belinda Snyder Courtesy of CEC

25. The DC Special Education Co-operative provides guidance, resources, and advocacy, so that schools can build and maintain high quality special education programs that meet the needs of all students. The Co-operative's logo comes from a design by Jeffrey, a 7-year-old boy with a learning disability. This image reminds us of the spirit of IDEA and the Co-operative's belief that when we work together with a common vision for each individual child, there are no limits to that child's success.

26. At the 2010 AAIDD Annual Conference in Providence, RI “IDEA is the individuals with disabilities act. I used to go to Norwood Public Schools, in Norwood, MA, but I left to come to the Protestant Guild for Human Services in Waltham, MA, because of my anger issues. But since I came here, I learned to control them, so IDEA has been very helpful with the funding because otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to get into this school. It has also helped me get a job, which I got a raise in. It has helped me a lot with my life.” —Robert (second from right in photo)

27. Summit Academy provides an alternative education program for children whose needs cannot be met in a local public school program.Because of IDEA these students receive services as part of their IEP. The following is artwork created by a student who benefited from these services because of IDEA.

28. Summit Academy provides an alternative education program for children whose needs cannot be met in a local public school program.Because of IDEA these students receive services as part of their IEP. The following is artwork created by a student who benefited from these services because of IDEA.

29. A student from VSA Grand Rapids explores the technique of Japanese Stab Binding led by VSA Teaching Artist Fellow, Tom Harmon, as part of VSA’s Start with the Arts Family Day.  Start with the Arts Family Day activities were designed to be fully inclusive of students both with and without disabilities. Courtesy of VSA— The International Organization on Arts and Disability Photo by: Margot Schulman. Start with the Arts Family Day @ Smithsonian American Art Museum, Sunday, June 6, 2010.

30. My son qualified for special education and related services since the age of 2 1/2. Over the years, he had a myriad of disabilities that impeded his learning. After educating myself and getting advocates who helped me get my son the Free Appropriate Public Education that met his needs, he is now a Junior in High School and has been on the honor roll every quarter since 9th grade. If it weren't for IDEA, he would have never had the law on his side to get what he needed. The poem “The Struggle Within” describes this journey.

31. The Struggle Within Part I—Before IDEA and appropriate services Beautiful Boy, with eyes of blue Sensitive soul, for if you knew The struggle within, the anguish to hide, When he's at school, he's lost inside. To thrive in a world where he doesn't fit in, To route his synapses to learn like "them". Blind rat in a maze, is it safe or danger, He just doesn't know, out comes the anger. It wasn't always so complicated, Like a balloon, he slowly deflated. Under siege, academic war, A soldier of one, can't take much more. Whoever thought, when he was born That he would have his bright soul torn. His day goes by, so Frustrated Reprimanded, Castigated… How many days of this could he take? How much effort more could he make? When will it stop, I often pray. I watch his self esteem decay.

32. The Struggle Within Part I—Before IDEA and appropriate services Beautiful Boy, with eyes of blue Sensitive soul, for if you knew The struggle within, the anguish to hide, When he's at school, he's lost inside. To thrive in a world where he doesn't fit in, To route his synapses to learn like "them". Blind rat in a maze, is it safe or danger, He just doesn't know, out comes the anger. It wasn't always so complicated, Like a balloon, he slowly deflated. Under siege, academic war, A soldier of one, can't take much more. Whoever thought, when he was born That he would have his bright soul torn. His day goes by, so Frustrated Reprimanded, Castigated… How many days of this could he take? How much effort more could he make? When will it stop, I often pray. I watch his self esteem decay. Part II—After advocacy and appropriate services from IDEA And so he braved the days, to the end His spirits would not falter, they would not bend His loved ones rallied for help, his teachers heard the call. They were befuddled to help him stop his fall. There was no map, the route was not clear, Not an easy journey, but not to be feared A new approach, and he worked so hard Things started clicking, his days no longer marred. His grades improved, his self esteem too. And it showed within his eyes of blue. Honor roll, principals list…. Could it be true? Yes it was, it was something we all knew. When we look back, from where he’s been All we see is the successful student within.

33. A student from VSA Michigan’s ArtsJAM! Detroit Percussion Ensemble performs at the Smithsonian Institution’s Discovery Theater.  ArtJAM! (Jobs and Mentoring) students work afterschool with professional artists and educators in a series of percussion, visual art, writing, and dance workshops and develop life enhancing and pre-vocational skills as they prepare to enter the workforce. Courtesy of VSA—The International Organization on Arts and Disability Photo by: Bathsheba Fournier. AfroBeats: Mali to Motor City @ Discovery Theatre, Tuesday, June 8, 2010.

34. The money appropriated to train special education personnel in the passage of IDEA provided me with a masters and doctorate in Adapted Physical Education.

35. Because of IDEA’s legislation, I am a professor who has educated over 3,000 pre-service teachers to meet the needs of children with disabilities in PE & aquatics.

36. “I am in my 19th year of teaching students with disabilities. J.D. was one of my students in my first year. When he left elementary school, he wrote a piece which his mom had framed for me.It's still on display in my classroom. Working with students is why I teach and IDEA has given J.D. and countless other children the help they need to learn in school. I am proud to have been able to provide the support that these children need.” Ms. Suske is one of the most understanding teachers I have ever had in my life. She always helps me when I need help and she congratulates me when I reach one of my goals. She is very nice and understanding. She always helps me when I need help. I had her from first grade to fifth grade. She has made such a positive impact on my life it is amazing. She would always help me when I needed help and would help me learn. She made life so much different for me. When I look back I can’t see my life without her, she was so nice and understanding. Her class was a major thing in my life and I cannot see doing this good in school if it wasn’t for her. I think she has made the biggest impact on my life and I don’t know where I would be without her today. So that is why I think she is one of the best teachers I have ever had. By J.D.7th Grade

37. IDEA has impacted my life via my son who has exceptional needs. This exposure led me to a career change to be part of the solution for students with special needs and at risk, by becoming a special education teacher.- Melissa Chafin Courtesy of CEC

38. Dance therapy experiences for teens with disabilities integrated with able bodied peers which enriches all of their lives. The program is made possible through Merced County Office of Education, Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council and is supported by IDEA funding and initiatives.

39. Seeing You In Me Kevin Planck Daily I support students and adults living with many disabilities. Often I stop what I am doing and look. Actually look past the person’s exterior to see if they are truly content. I do this because this person could be me. Who is to say I won’t have a brain injury at 46 years old and need the same supports? If this were to happen would you be patient, would you be kind, Will you humbly wipe my chin and keep my dignity intact, If I am struggling with a word will you sit quietly and let me work it out? I trust you will be real with me and not speak to me as a child. Most of all, if you see my discontent will you dig deeper and discover the true reason? My work is to be carried out as if I was in that wheelchair, mainstream classroom, vocational workshop, or after-school tutoring. My duty is to ensure that each person I support is treated as if it was me looking back up at myself. “I see the impact of IDEA every day while working for a non-profit that is striving to be a premier provider of services to people with disabilities and other needs. Additionally, my son has been personally protected and supported by IDEA as he navigated through public school while living with severe learning disabilities.”

40. Original raps composed and presented by disabled students and alumni volunteers, during Summer Youth Arts The program is made possible through Merced County Office of Education, Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council and is supported by IDEA funding and initiatives.

41. IDEA's inclusion of Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers has helped millions of families from all backgrounds advocate for quality services for their children, and to become parent leaders to help improve services for all children and families. “As an African-American woman, I think the biggest challenge for developing leadership is that a majority of people don't really feel empowered to effect change . New Jersey’s Parent Training and Information Center, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) has been instrumental in helping me to feel empowered and, therefore, willing to be a more integral part of the process by taking on leadership roles. It is powerful to know that you are part of something bigger than yourself, that your efforts are appreciated by others, and that with both success and failure, you are supported by others who believe in things that you believe in.” —Carolyn H.

42. Angel Wings A six-year old child created the art work pictured as a gift to her sibling. She created the piece in a therapeutic arts program called Arts for All Kids. Programs like these are more widely available thanks to IDEA!

43. “My son was diagnosed with a learning disability when he was four. Two years later, after much research, and seeing many professionals, we learned that he had Asperger's Syndrome. It is because of the IDEA regulations and the tremendous related support he received in school and at home (speech, OT, social skills and counseling) that he has been able to overcome challenges and excel. He has even been able to use his strong interest in pro wrestling to host his own radio show during which he interviews wrestlers and is a color commentator for an independent wrestling company. I am very thankful to all of the teachers and professionals!”

44. IDEA helps my kids who would normally be sent home for behavior concerns by helping their teachers understand it’s not the behavior that's the problem, the behavior is a red flag for a much bigger problem or disability. So we work to keep them at school where they can learn coping skills rather than escape their problems.—Barb Daugherty Courtesy of CEC

45. Our son definitely experienced increased access and inclusion because of IDEA. I took a tour of Lipman Pre-School when I was pregnant with Victor, not knowing that he would be born with Down syndrome. It is the school I wanted for him then, and because of IDEA it is still the school he attends now.

46. Our son definitely experienced increased access and inclusion because of IDEA. I took a tour of Lipman Pre-School when I was pregnant with Victor, not knowing that he would be born with Down syndrome. It is the school I wanted for him then, and because of IDEA it is still the school he attends now.

47. “My 4-year-old nephew has been given the opportunity to succeed because of the access he is given to the world through the provision of IDEA. This is a thank you to his teachers and service providers who believe in his abilities instead of allowing him to be discouraged by his struggles or lack of ability.”

48. “My 4-year-old nephew has been given the opportunity to succeed because of the access he is given to the world through the provision of IDEA. This is a thank you to his teachers and service providers who believe in his abilities instead of allowing him to be discouraged by his struggles or lack of ability.” Who I Can Be You knew me and you took a stand, You pull me up and hold my hand. You bend your ear and hear my voice, You respect my life and give me a choice. You’ve seen my struggles, but know my strengths; To help me succeed, you’ll go to great lengths. You see I’m different, but know everyone is! My contributions and abilities you never dismiss. You give me the chance to be a success, When I ask “Can I do it?” you always say yes. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, To show myself and the world who I can really be.

49. Dance therapy experiences for teens with disabilities integrated with able bodied peers which enriches all of their lives. The program is made possible through Merced County Office of Education, Cerebral Palsy Association, VSA, and the Merced County Arts Council and is supported by IDEA funding and initiatives.

50. As a teacher of the visually impaired, IDEA is perhaps one of the most important laws that impact me daily. It is also the first law I teach my students, so that they know what their rights are as students. It is empowering to the students to learn that their education is free and appropriate, that they are a vital part of their IEP team, and they have the right to know what services that they are entitled to have…Happy Birthday, IDEA! May you forever shine over all students with special needs.—Liz Eagan Satter Courtesy of CEC