Navigating the special education system can be complex and overwhelming, thankfully Ohio parents have access to many helpful resources. You have your hands full advocating for your child, so we did the research for you! Keep reading to learn what Ohio special education parent resources are available.
1. A Guide to Parent’s Rights in Education
A Guide to Parent’s Rights in Education is Ohio’s version of procedural safeguards and a great place to start. Being the best advocate for your child starts with knowing your rights. The Guide is a well organized document that explains your rights, the safeguards in place for your child, and the process of special education in Ohio. It may be a lengthy document, but it is worth your time to read!
2. Ohio Department of Education
Before we go into other resources, it’s important to know what your school district offers. Ohio Department of Education’s website includes many helpful resources and we will link them for your convenience. Their website includes multiple handy infographics and one-pagers on topics such as alternate assessments, secondary transition, and the evaluation process. Additionally, their website provides information on how to resolve a dispute and what to do if you have a concern about your school district. Knowing what your district offers provides a solid base as you navigate their special education system.
3. Kidvokit for Ohio
Did anyone warn you that a large part of advocating for your child is keeping track of your child’s educational journey – often documented in emails and paperwork? Kidvokit is a tool that does the organizing for you so you can focus on the important things. With its ability to detect and file IEP related emails and attachments, create a timeline, and answer your questions with its AI assistant, Kidvokit keeps you organized and ready for all your meetings. Visit our “How it works” page for more information!
4. Ohio Coalition for the Education of Child with Disabilities (OCECD)
OCECD is a hub of information! OCECD is Ohio’s nationally funded parent training center and provides an abundance of resources. They offer events, virtual parent training, tip sheets, and age specific guides. They also offer reading mentor training so that you can help your child at home. If you are looking for Ohio special education resources, OCECD’s website is a good place to start.
5. Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI)
Another great information hub is OCALI. OCALI offers many online learning series, podcasts, guides, and printable infographics. Their website also offers multiple “centers” which are resources organized by topics such as autism, transitions, and family and community outreach. These are only a few of the many resources they offer. Explore OCALI’s website to learn more about the resources available.
6. Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project
Have you ever wished for a personal guide to help you navigate the special education system? Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project can make that wish come true. Parent Mentors are parents of children with a disability who have been trained to mentor other parents. Parent mentors can help you understand your rights, offer guidance, and provide resources. To be connected with a Parent Mentor, visit Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project’s website.
7. Disability Rights Ohio
When advocating for your child, Disability Rights Ohio is an invaluable resource. Disability Rights Ohio provides succinct and easy to understand guides on your legal rights and resources available to you and your child. They also provide answers to the most common special education questions with a thorough FAQ section. We recommend bookmarking their website as it can help you understand some of the more complicated parts of the special education system.
8. Wrightslaw
So much of the special education system has to do with laws and regulations. Wrightslaw is a great tool to help you understand those laws. Their website keeps you up to date on laws and explains your rights. Wrightslaw also provides helpful guides such as “12 Ways to Resolve Parent-School Dispute” and “Developing an IEP” among others. Their guides are extra helpful because they include links to the laws and safeguards in place to support each step.
9. Special Education YouTube Channels
Sometimes the best way to understand something is by watching a video. The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)’s YouTube channel has an amazing selection of helpful content. They have over 90 videos on various special education topics. Additionally, The Ohio Department of Education’s YouTube channel includes a few helpful videos about their special education program.
10. Facebook groups
Talking to someone who has navigated the special education system before can provide insight, and talking to someone who is currently navigating it can provide a sense of support. Support groups are a crucial part of being the best advocate for your child, and Facebook is a great platform to find one. A few Ohio Facebook groups worth checking out are, Ohio Autism Community, Ohio Special Needs Families, and Orange Parent Education Network.
Ohio Special Education Parent Resource Recap
Advocating for your child is hard work, and you are doing it! Good job! We hope the above resources empower you to keep up the good work. Remember, Ohio parents have access to multiple resource hubs and options for support and guidance. Utilize these resources to become an even stronger advocate for your child!