MassPAC
APPLE
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APPLE Project Brief
Parents often are called upon to serve in capacities that go beyond representing the interests of their own family and child. They may be asked to collaborate with professionals in efforts to improve or redesign services, programs, and policies that impact many families. Committees, task forces, and program administrators may look to parents and family members to help guide their efforts to be more family centered. The parents reading this article (“Who You Gonna Call?” (PDF) are likely to be the ones called by other parents, community leaders, or professionals who are looking for parents to fulfill a variety of roles, from providers of information to serving as committee chairpersons.
Disability History:
Disability History Series – Seven articles from the National Park Service
‘Nothing About Us Without Us’: 16 Moments in the Fight for Disability Rights from the NY Times, 2020.
#TeachDisabilityHistory from Easterseals Massachusetts
SEPAC Resources:
MassPAC at the Federation for Children with Special Needs provides technical assistance, leadership training and resources for SEPAC leaders and district administrators.
Advocacy in Action – National Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
DESE Guidance for SEPACS, 2010 – available in English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Spanish
Team Building:
Parent-Educator Team Building Activities (in-person)
Working Together Series – 5 interactive online courses from Cadre (available in Spanish and English). These courses provide families and educators with a number of strategies for working together and through conflict.