NJ ABLE: IDEIA 2004 Letter Published!

The letter below was sent to NJ ABLE NEWSPAPER after it published an article about our struggle on behalf of our children to uphold our maximal rights in NJ under IDEIA 2004 revisions.  (If you *still* have not signed the petition for maximal such rights, click here now: http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org )  subscribe to the newspaper, click http://ablenews.com and then the SUBSCRIPTION button at the bottom of the page.

http://studentadvocate-nj.org/able_newspaper_June_2005.htm

NJ ABLE NEWSPAPER, August 2005
PO Box 395, Old Bethpage NY 11804

201-836-5785 * 718-792-3533 * 516-939-2253 FAX 516-939-0540

Page 2
Letters to the Editor
 
Dear Able Readers,

Marianne Valls wrote an exceptionally well-researched piece on the struggle of NJ parents to uphold the rights of our children with learning disabilities and our own rights as their number one advocates in light of the harmful changes that are pending with IDEA Reauthorization.  (Parents Concerned About IDEA Reauthorization, see http://studentadvocate-nj.org/able_newspaper_June_2005.htm )

Particularly welcome is the opening line:  “Unfortunately, it appears that Jim Crow laws are alive and well for children with special needs.”

While the article was solidly factual and provided a good cross section of opinions from those who are supporting our children, there was a typo on the website where the petition is available.

To sign the petition and get more information about the campaign to stand up for the rights of our children with disabilities, including letter writing, meetings and other steps you can take, visit http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org .  If you would want to organize a meeting in your community to learn more about how to support our children, or otherwise get involved in this effort, please call 908-881-5275; e-mail to advocate@studentadvocate-nj.org ; or mail to: APIECE, PO Box 1214, Belle Mead, NJ 08502.  You can also visit our website at http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org .

Congratulations to ABLE and Marianne Valls for standing tall with our children!  Hopefully your paper will continue to grow into a strong voice for our families.

Sincerely,

Bob Witanek

Belle Mead, NJ 08502

908-881-5275