Special education can make a big difference in a child’s life, but the special education system can also feel extremely complex and daunting. If you’re a New York Parent navigating the special education system, we’re here to help. We have researched and listed the best New York special education parent resources below. Additionally, you’ll find not only resources for New York State but also New York City Public Schools!
1. Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Did you receive a Notice of Procedural Safeguards when your child was referred for assessment? This document is a great place to start when navigating the special education system! It explains your rights and the safeguards in place for you and your child. A downloadable copy of the Notice can be found on New York State Education Department and New York City Public Schools websites. Additionally, both websites contain resources to explain the Notice!
2. New York State Education Department
If your child is a part of the New York State educational system, then you are probably familiar with the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) website, but have you explored all their special education resources? A feature we love is their A-Z resource and information list which takes the guesswork out of searching for specific information. Additionally, NYSED provides a free Parent’s Guide to Special Education. You can also find state approved schools/programs and the Special Education Quality Assurance offices on their site.
3. Kidvokit for New York
As if the special education system is not complicated enough, the IEP process requires extensive tracking by parents. Kidvokit is an online tool that can help! Kidvokit does the organizing for you by automatically filing important emails, maintaining a paper trail, and even answering special education questions with an AI assistant. If you are interested in how Kidvokit can keep you organized and prepared for your IEP meetings, visit our “How it works” page for more information.
4. Advocates for Children of New York
If your child attends New York City Public Schools, you’ll greatly appreciate Advocates for Children of New York (AFC). AFC makes it easy to find special education resources with their filters. They have many easy to understand guides and tip sheets covering topics such as “Start of school questions” and “Special Education Process”. If you are looking for quick overviews and tips, Advocates for Children of New York’s website is a great place to start.
5. INCLUDEnyc
Another excellent resource for New York City parents is INCLUDEnyc. The wonderful thing about INCLUDEnyc is that they offer a free helpline for parents (between the hours of 9am-3pm Monday-Thursday). Additionally, they offer free parent workshops and community events.
6. Center for Parent Information and Resources
Speaking of personalized assistance, the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) has parent centers throughout the state of New York. Parent Centers are information hubs! Each parent center differs, but they usually provide referrals, education, and support groups. Additionally, the parent centers websites often provide online resources as well. Visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources’ website to find a parent center near you.
7. NYSED and NYC Public Schools YouTube Channels
Did you know that both the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and New York City Public Schools (NYC PS) have dedicated YouTube Channels to special education? New York State’s Special Education Task Force channel and NYC Public School’s Beyond Access channel not only have educational videos, but also curated playlists. Their curated playlists save you the time of searching YouTube for additional resources!
8. Understood.org
Understanding your child is crucial when advocating for them, and Understood.org believes everyone deserves to be understood. Understood.org is a national resource that provides special education blogs with the goal of helping you understand your child’s learning differences. All blogs are written by experts and cover a wide range of learning difference topics. Additionally, Understood.org is easy to navigate and you can filter blogs by your child’s particular learning difference.
9. Facebook Groups
As you navigate the special education system, you may find comfort and wisdom in speaking to others who are walking the same road as you. Facebook Groups are a convenient way to connect with parents who are going through similar situations. Facebook has many groups, but a couple New York specific groups worth checking out are “Long Island Special Parent Network” and “Manhattan Special Kids”.
New York Special Education Resource Recap
We hope the above resources remind you that you are not alone on this journey. The special education system may be complex, but resources are available. Knowing your rights, accessing resources, and finding a support group can empower you to be an even better advocate for your child!
Let Kidvokit make it easier to advocate for your child! Learn more.
