A Photo Report on the
May 17 Statewide Mobilization for the Rights of Student with Disabilities
Second Page
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Upon
arrival, first things first, we set the piano up. We added
an air of festivity to the usually mundane front of the DOE building. We were
entertained by the talented young gentleman pictured here. We cranked the
volume as this student cranked out the Beethoven sonatas. Unfortunately,
we do not currently have any pictures of the sign he is wearing on his back
which states "Stay Put With My Stay Put!" We gave the DOE employees
something to remember - the time the special ed protesters brought a piano into
the court yard!
The young pianist punctuated the speech endings
with Beethoven snippets on the piano. He also later in the event - once
all the speeches were over - played and sang our fighting song,
Get Up, Stand Up! (for special education rights.)
He also spoke through the sound system outside and gave same the presentation to
the board. I wish those reading these words could have been in that room
to see the high notes this young man hit before the powerful board members.
From his presentation:
"When you push a child with disabilities out of your schools,
you push us into the juvenile criminal justice system.
You push us into the adult system.
You make us wards of the state.
You push us into lives of dependency.
You push us into early grave yards.
Let’s see if we can step out
of the ivory tower
and try to imagine what it is like
to be a behaviorally disabled special education child
in the public schools."
Click here to read the whole presentation.
All power to the children with disabilities!
As 1:30 pm rolled around it was time to kick off the formal
event. After congratulating all who were assembled to fight for better
implementation of IDEIA 2004 in NJ and recognizing the organizations, The NJ
Student Advocacy
Union,
NJ ADAPT, Community Options Inc., we introduced the first formal speaker, James
Anthony Witanek, proud grandfather, standing tall and wearing a sign stating
"Heed The Petition!" at left. He gave a
heartfelt presentation. From his remarks:
"I join in congratulating the board in taking some steps toward us but urge you
to be bolder and stronger in defense of children. I know the paid lobbyists for
the board associations and other district representatives are out to undermine
the small advances parents and students have made. I also know that you have
the wherewithal and strength to say no to those groups so used to always getting
their way. Maintain your ground on short term objectives and the 45 day
calendar limit of outbound placement and we will be with you shoulder to
shoulder. . . .
Students, parents, grandparents, advocates, supporters of
our children, all, the time has come to coalesce and organize. . . . The
days of quiet whisper campaigns for our children are behind us. The days of
begging for dignity are history. We are looking to the future where we sit or
stand – shoulder to shoulder – and we look forward to a better day. I am a
proud Grandfather to be an agent of change for a better future for my
grandchildren and all of our grandchildren."
To read more from Jim Witanek's presentation . . .
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