A Photo Report on the
May 17 Statewide Mobilization for the Rights of Student with Disabilities
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A couple of days before the May 17 rally for the rights of students with
disabilities in NJ public schools, the NJ Student Advocacy Union was contacted
by an organizer for the NJ Family
Alliance . We were told that Robert Stack, CEO of
Community Options, Inc. had decided to throw
the weight of his organization behind the rally for rights of children with
disabilities. Community Options would mobilize its staff and clientele to
advocate for our children.
It was about 1pm, a half hour before the announced time of the rally and the white shirt wearing supporters from Community Options, Inc. already had started showing up.
Then more white shirted ComOp folks showed up. Soon the courtyard filled up with supporters of children with disabilities and our struggle for greater special education rights.
The participation of adults with disabilities in advocating for children with
disabilities is a tremendous asset to our efforts. The promotion of such
advocacy by Community Options is consistent with that agency's statement
at its website: "Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and
in the freedom of all people to experienc
e the highest degree of
self-determination." It is also a tremendous example for our children that
the adult community is laying down some footsteps worthy to be followed!
Also
arriving were members of NJ ADAPT, some in motorized wheel chairs. NJ
ADAPT members brought their own signs. Some of their signs stated "No
Child Left Behind" and "Separate is Not Equal." Some members of NJ ADAPT
were recently arrested in a civil disobedience action out in Nashville,
Tennessee calling for greater emphasis on community based care. When ADAPT
was contacted by the NJ Student Advocacy Union about this event, we received
this response from one of the coordinators of ADAPT,
Kate Blisard:
"We had an NJ ADAPT meeting this past Saturday Five of our members who were in
Tennessee came back all energized and two members- Anita Clavering and Roy
Carbone would like to speak at the rally. . . . . NJ ADAPT looks forward to
supporting and attending this event and the very important issue and children
with disabilities and educat
ion. They are the future generation and the hope for
equal rights and citizenship for people with disabilities in our nation. Thanks
again for inviting us and I will be the contact person for this event- please
feel free to contact me anytime-Kate"
Anita Clavering is pictured at left with the two shoulder bags and the dark coat
or dress. When she addressed the demonstration she spoke of her own
experiences in the special education system. Roy Carbone is in the chair
at left, back facing. ADAPT members volunteered to attach two of our signs
to their chairs, one stating "Moratorium on Discipline Revisions" and the other
stating "You Can't Expel a Disability."
Pictured next to Ms. Clavering in the blue denim is Julia Zindzius, founder of
Ocean County BEAM. We were also joined by Julie's son Adam and her sister.
What better way to bring a family closer together than to unite with other
families around the creation of a better education system for our children?
In the founding statement of the NJ Student Advocacy Union , we state:
"We will invite other like-minded organizations to work with us and we will support initiatives of other groups when they are consistent with our goals."
This event, with the support of Community Options and NJ ADAPT demonstrates clearly the potential when organizations work together around their points of unity. It is only through the forging of such bonds of unity and mutual support that we can ever effect outcomes around our issues of concern.
Ask the Advocate
NJ Complaint Form (MS Word)
(PDF)
On Line Public Hearing on IDEIA 2004
Survey on NJ OSEP Complaint
Process
Past Activities
IEP Wkshp
Rec. Programs for
those w/ Disabilities
An Evening of Educational Advocacy
September 8, 2005 Edison, NJ
What The Student Advocate Has Done for Our Children
Lately . . .
NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee
Minutes of IDEIA 2004 meeting on Thu., May
26
Student Rights Radio
Discussion, October 31
Effort to
Reach Gubernatorial Hopefuls and Acting Governor / Candidates
IDEA: An Update
Dec. 5, 2005
Middletown
January 18,
2006: Hold a Candle Light for Our Children's Rights
50 Strong For Our
Children
No. Jersey Radio Interview Aired, 1/22
Petitioning for Rights Children: Legal in Princeton
Interview on NJ IDEIA Rights
- Racial Disparities in Sp-Ed
Call
is Heard in Montgomery Twp: Inclusive Recreation
NJSAU Minutes 2/18/2006
Playing and Singing for
Our Rights, 4/1/6
Better IDEA Laws for Special Education
Students?
Better IEPs? Anything is Possible!
April
1 Report: Student Advocacy Union - Fundraising Concert
Mobilization for Rights
of Our Children, May 17, 2006, Trenton
Nationwide Internet Radio Rally for Sp-Ed Parent Rights
9pm EST, Sat. May 20
Parents’ Rally @ Statehouse in Trenton Thursday, June 8, 2006
Piscataway Parents Mtg, June 19, 2006