Award-Winning Web Site for Parents of Children with Disabilities Announces More Resources, Easier Interface, and Exclusive Video Series with Michelle Garcia Winner
Sherman, CT (PRWEB) September 15, 2015 -- YourSpecialEducationRights.com (YSER), an online resource for parents of children with disabilities, is thrilled to announce the launch of its wholly-upgraded web site. Designed expressly for busy parents seeking timely information, relevant resources, and peer support related to their child’s education, the improved YSER community gives parents a comprehensive online toolkit for understanding their children’s federally protected special education rights.
In addition to its unparalleled video library—with hundreds of videos to help members effectively navigate every aspect of their child’s education—the upgraded YSER site is easier than ever to use. Members have access to a robust, private community of peers and professionals, featuring discussion forums for state-specific legal insights, condition-specific resources, as well as peer and parent support groups.
Plus, members can participate in online chats with nationally recognized special education rights experts Jen Laviano and Julie Swanson, founders of YSER. As always, YSER membership is free.
“Too often, parents of children with disabilities are ignored and dismissed by public school administrators, who look for every means of denying children with special needs the federally protected special education rights to which they are entitled,” says Ms. Laviano, a special educations rights attorney practicing in Connecticut. “With YSER, parents have a powerful, one-stop resource available 24/7 for empowering themselves and advocating for their children during all-important IEP meetings.”
The upgraded portal includes a brand-new, five-part Social Thinking Video Series featuring the nationally-acclaimed speech and language pathologist Michelle Garcia Winner, founder of the Social Thinking Center and creator of the renowned Social Thinking curriculum. Members have access to the entire series, including Ms. Laviano’s and Ms. Swanson’s expert commentary about incorporating Social Thinking principles into a child's IEP.
Finally, the new YSER portal has an easy “search” feature, enabling rapid access to hundreds of videos, articles, webinars and other resources about a wealth of topics related to special education rights. The site also features quick links for easy bookmarking and sharing of YSER videos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube—ensuring that all parents are empowered with the special education rights knowledge needed to help their child thrive.
Unquestionably, the need is real. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education reported that approximately 5.8 million schoolchildren aged 6 to 21 received special education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). But for many of these children, their appropriate (and legally mandated) special education services were routinely denied.
“Securing an appropriate education for your child—and getting your child the special services he or she needs—shouldn’t require high-priced attorneys or contentious legal battles,” says Ms. Swanson. “We launched and upgraded YSER so that all parents, regardless of income, could advocate for their children with disabilities by accessing relevant resources designed just for them.”
To learn more about YSER or to join the YSER community, visit YourSpecialEducationRights.com or call Barbara Distinti at (203) 545-3465.
ABOUT YourSpecialEducationRights.com
Founded in 2012 by attorney Jennifer Laviano and disability specialist Julie Swanson, YSER is an online resource for parents of children with disabilities. Designed as a one-stop, comprehensive toolkit for parents seeking timely information, relevant resources, and peer support related to their children’s federally protected special education rights, YSER’s goal is to help all parents of children with disabilities effectively advocate for their children’s education. YSER members become part of a robust, private community of peers and professionals, and gain access to comprehensive informational resources—including hundreds of expert videos, blogs, articles, webinars, links, services and assistive technologies. Members also join discussion forums for state-specific legal insights and condition-specific resources, all while benefiting from peer support and expert professional insights from Jen and Julie. Visit YourSpecialEducationRights.com.
ABOUT JENNIFER LAVIANO
Attorney Jennifer Laviano is in private practice in Connecticut. Ms. Laviano is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), the leading national voice for the civil rights of students who require special education. Her representation of children with special needs encompasses the full spectrum of advocacy under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), from attendance at IEP team meetings and mediation, to zealous and experienced litigation in due process hearings and Federal Court. Ms. Laviano is a regular presenter, both locally and nationally, on the subject of the special legal rights of children with disabilities and their entitlement to receive a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE).
ABOUT JULIE SWANSON
Julie Swanson is in private practice as a special education advocate in Connecticut. After her son was diagnosed with autism, Ms. Swanson returned to school to obtain an additional degree as a Disability Specialist. Her practice is exclusively dedicated to helping parents of children with disabilities obtain appropriate special education services. She has written extensively on the everyday needs of children who have autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities.
Barbara Distinti, YourSpecialEducationRights.com, http://yourspecialeducationrights.com/, +1 203-545-3465, [email protected]
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