#educational advocacy

[educational-advocacy]

Choosing Between an IEP and a 504 Plan: What You Need to Know

As a parent, one of the most significant concerns is ensuring that your child receives the best possible support in their education. However, navigating the complex world of education plans can often feel overwhelming. Two main plans that are commonly used to address the needs of students with disabilities are the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the 504 Plan. In this article, we will explore the key differences between these two plans, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your child.

The Importance of Providing the Best Support

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in their educational journey. When a child faces challenges in school, it is crucial to provide them with the necessary support to overcome these hurdles. This support not only helps them academically but also boosts their self-confidence and overall well-being. As a parent, you play a vital role in advocating for your child and ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed.

Introduction to the IEP and 504 Plan

The IEP and 504 Plan are two education plans designed to address the specific needs of students with disabilities. While they share the common goal of providing support, they differ in various ways. Understanding these differences is essential in making the right choice for your child.

The Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a comprehensive document that outlines specific educational goals, objectives, and related services tailored to your child's unique needs. It is a legally binding document developed collaboratively by professionals, educators, parents, and other relevant individuals. The IEP focuses on providing specialized academic instruction, setting individualized milestones, and addressing specific educational needs.

On the other hand, the 504 Plan ensures equal access to education and school programs for students with disabilities. It is based on Section 504, a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination and guarantees equal opportunities. Unlike the IEP, the 504 Plan does not provide specialized academic instruction. Instead, it focuses on removing barriers to learning and providing necessary accommodations within the general education setting.

By understanding the differences between these two plans, you will be better equipped to choose the one that best suits your child's unique needs and sets them on the path to success. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the specific features and considerations of both the IEP and 504 Plan.

Understanding the IEP (Individual Education Plan)

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a special education plan designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. It is a comprehensive document that outlines specific goals, objectives, and related services tailored to your child. The purpose of an IEP is to ensure that your child receives the necessary support and accommodations to access their education and make progress in their learning.

How an IEP is Developed and Who is Involved

The development of an IEP is a collaborative process involving various individuals who have a vested interest in your child's education. This may include special education teachers, general education teachers, school administrators, related service providers (such as speech therapists or occupational therapists), and most importantly, you as the parent.

The process typically starts with an evaluation to determine your child's eligibility for special education services. If your child qualifies, an IEP team is formed to develop and implement the IEP. The team members come together to discuss your child's strengths, areas of need, and set appropriate goals and objectives.

Definition and Purpose of a 504 Plan

A 504 Plan is another type of education plan that aims to ensure equal access to education for students with disabilities. It is named after Section 504, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding. The purpose of a 504 Plan is to remove barriers to learning and provide necessary accommodations, modifications, and support to help students with disabilities succeed in the general education setting.

How a 504 Plan Ensures Equal Access to Education

Unlike an IEP, which focuses on specialized instruction, a 504 Plan primarily focuses on accommodations and modifications that help level the playing field for students with disabilities. These accommodations can include things like extra time on tests, preferential seating, assistive technology, note-taking support, or access to a quiet space for taking exams. The goal is to provide students with the necessary tools and supports to fully participate in their education alongside their peers.

Differences between a 504 Plan and an IEP

One key difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP is the level of specialized instruction provided. An IEP offers more extensive specialized academic instruction and individualized goals, whereas a 504 Plan focuses primarily on accommodations and support within the general education curriculum.

Additionally, the eligibility criteria for a 504 Plan are typically less stringent compared to an IEP. To qualify for a 504 Plan, a student must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, seeing, walking, or concentrating. This broader eligibility criteria allows for the inclusion of students with a wider range of impairments, even those that may be episodic or temporary.

Dual Support: Possibility of Having Both an IEP and a 504 Plan

While it is uncommon for a student to have both an IEP and a 504 Plan, there are situations where it might be necessary. Sometimes, a student may qualify for both plans because they have specific needs that require specialized academic instruction through an IEP, as well as accommodations and support within the general education setting through a 504 Plan. This dual support approach ensures that all aspects of the student's needs are addressed effectively.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between an IEP and a 504 Plan

When deciding between an IEP and a 504 Plan, several factors need to be considered. It's important to evaluate your child's individual needs, the level of support required, and the specific goals you have for their education. If your child requires specialized instruction and has significant academic needs, an IEP may be more appropriate. However, if your child primarily needs accommodations and support in the general education setting, a 504 Plan might be the better choice.

As a parent, you are your child's advocate, and you play a crucial role in making educational decisions. It's important to gather information, ask questions, and work collaboratively with your child's school team to make an informed decision about which plan is best for your child. Every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Trust your instincts and choose the plan that aligns most closely with your child's needs and goals.

Get Help from Rise Educational Advocacy

Navigating the world of IEPs and 504 Plans can be complex, and you don't have to do it alone. Rise Educational Advocacy is a reliable resource providing guidance and support to parents like you. We offer expert-approved Parent IEP Coaching, online training, and virtual services nationwide. With our expertise, you can gain the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for your child and navigate the special education process.

Remember, the choice between an IEP and a 504 Plan is about finding the best support for your child's unique needs. By considering all the factors, seeking information and support, and working closely with your child's school team, you can ensure that your child gets the support they need to thrive academically and reach their full potential.

[transsexualfiend]

Repeat after me: kink is not a "gateway" to committing a crime.

[goteengrow]

Need to know for IEP and 504 plans

[booksandbrainsandsoftthings]

Officially forming the theory that the reason more service dog handlers don't use protective gear like boots, goggles, and ear protection on their dog is because the public becomes 3000% more unbearable when they try.

We're all used to "aaaaawwww look the the doggo" when we go out with our working animals, but getting

1. Accosted for pictures (whether folks ask or just invade your space and distract your dog)

2. Pointed at like an exhibit

3. Shouted at (OMG DOGGLES, "why is it wearing that" etc)

4. Actively followed around by strangers

Is downright fucking awful.

I know it looks cool. I know some of our gear is specialized. I know pet dogs don't usually wear/tolerate what SDs learn the wear. But for the love of whatever you deem holy, BE KIND ABOUT IT. All of the actions listed above are just fucking rude. Leave people alone. Leave service dogs alone.

Disabled people can exist without being spectacles

[vivianseda]

Thank you to Our Sensory Life

“I spent to many years thinking it was normal to be trapped like this and I was just 'lazy'.

If you relate to this, please hear me, you're not lazy. I know how bad it feels.”

Photo credit: Dani Donovan

[prototypesteve]

You are your visibility. I know that’s unfair.

Representation matters but representation isn't the end or the beginning.

You can't just post 1,000 Alastor memes and expect banks to make fair mortgages for single people, or expect care professionals to stop trying to cure asexuality.

Representation takes time to execute.

TV seasons take longer to develop than they used to. Books take time to write. Character arcs can take years to play out.

Representation can be deliberately or accidentally misinterpreted.

“So asexuality is when you're bi or gay, but sex-averse? That's what I think I saw in that Heartstopper episode you sent me when Isaac kissed the guy.”

Representation can be deliberately ignored.

“I've never heard of that. I've never seen that in real life.”

Representation can be maliciously dismissed.

“This is a thousand people on the internet telling themselves they're a real thing.”

Representation is a right-place-right-time-right-platform lottery.

“I don't have Netflix or Prime. Never heard of this Has Been Hotel or Heart Starter. I did get that copy of Loveless you sent me, but I've got 17 books ahead of it in my queue.”

Representation can't be exhaustive.

The demisexuals and the aro-allos, and the GenX aces who took decades to discover asexuality was even an option, and the hundred other nuanced expressions of aspec identity that I deliberately didn’t represent here are all sifting through the catalog of ace representation and implied aro representation, looking for something… any evidence they exist.

Representation matters but representation isn't the end or the beginning.

We also need boring old education, advocacy, and presence. You have to keep talking. You have to keep explaining. You have to keep being there in front of real people, with your real life that erodes their bullshit-takes on aromanticism and asexuality.

You are your visibility. I know that’s unfair.

It was unfair for every misrepresented equity-seeking community. The good news is many of those equity-seeking communities have paved the way for us. They taught advocates how to listen, and how to lend their advocacy as long as we’re out there to be listened to, and not waiting around for a critical mass of representation.

[edenfenixblogs]

New Pinned Post: How This Blog Approaches The Conflict

I am not normally a politically-focused blog. I am normally a personal blog that enjoys fandom and occasionally processes my own past trauma. As this war goes on, I am finding that it is against my personal ethics and morals to stay silent when I have the ability to educate and remain more patient than most. (My patience is not endless. I’m still human). So, while disinformation/misinformation, and propaganda abound on all sides. I feel like the best way I can help lower the temperature is to put my skills to use.

Primary Political Goals:

1. Emphasize humanity above all and use verifiable information and good faith education and discourse to reduce tension.

2. Do my absolute best to move the conversation away from polarizing, accusatory discourse that forces Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Israelis, and Palestinians to play a desperate game of defense and toward a shared mutually beneficial peace that honors each grouped indigeneity culture, and connection to their ancestral homeland.

3. Demonstrate and emphasize both Jewish-Muslim solidarity and Israeli-Palestinian solidarity.

Primary Blogging Goals:

As a diaspora Jew, my primary goal is threefold

1. Educate about antisemitism and Islamophobia—including calling it out and explaining it to the best of my ability.

2. Elevate responsible, verifiable voices—regardless of religion or nationality—and information to the best of my ability.

3. Demonstrate effective activism and provide insight and encouragement for other to find their most effective way to contribute to fostering peace.

Elaboration:

1. I have the most experience with an understanding of antisemitism. I am more of an expert in antisemitism and have more ability to identify and educate about it. That said: I will not tolerate any Islamophobia or racism and if I don’t have the ability to educate about it, you will be blocked. If I have the ability to educate about it, I will do so and give you the chance to read about it and adjust your behavior. If you do not do so, I will block you.

2. This does not mean equal representation of all nationalities and religions. It means the best informed and most reliable voices AND the voices I personally have the best ability to vet, verify, and substantiate. This will often mean Jewish voices and Israeli voices. This is me staying in my lane, not choosing to suppress any voice. I will not elevate purposefully divisive, tokenized, or uninformed voices. This does not mean that I won’t elevate Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab voices as well. I will. But my primary goal here is responsibility. To do that, I have to stay in my lane.

3. I am most effective as an educator on this matter, a guide to finding reliable peace-oriented voices, and an example of patience. There’s a great desire among many to protest or create videos detailing their opinions and stances. Not only is this primarily performative—especially among non-Muslim/non-Palestinian goyim—it has the potential to be extraordinarily damaging to Jews both in Israel and in Diaspora as well as to Arabs, Muslims, Palestinians, and South East Asians worldwide. If you truly desire to help and not just feel like you’re helping, the best thing you can do is follow the lead of much more experienced activists with a demonstrated track record of effectiveness and good faith in their areas of expertise. As I stated: mine is primarily education and greater than average (though not limitless) amounts of patience. If you want to donate money or engage in more direct action and aid, I suggest finding pro-Palestinian Israeli voices and peace oriented Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian voices as well as organizations with experience in this conflict that do not rely on eliminating any population or erasing anyone’s connection to the Levant. Follow their lead on that matter. If you are only just engaging in this conflict for the first time due to current events, you likely do not know nearly as much as you think you do about any of this. Being uninformed and spouting disinformation has actual dire consequences that can get Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, Israelis, and Arabs killed. It is vital that you’re responsible in your engagement on this matter. Learning dogwhistles and how to spot bad faith arguments is a must. And to be effective, you should spend more of your time learning than you’re doing protesting or arguing. This is a 2000+ year old conflict. There is a lot to know and understand. And there are a lot of people willing to prey on your newcomer status and manipulate your existing beliefs to use you as a pawn to further their bad faith aims. The only consistent, trustworthy principal is to trust those who repeatedly affirm their goal as peace and shared prosperity and who reject any form of demonization based on ethnicity or religion. This is not a game. This is not the west’s fight. This is a conflict between two horribly oppressed, traumatized, and nearly exterminated ethnoreligous groups.

I am begging you to think, listen, and learn before joining the fray.

Note: I also don’t claim to be perfect. If I mess up or reblog something that causes unintended harm (which is very easy to do when engaging in discussions and activism about this conflict), I will say so and issue a correction. There’s no need to be hostile in informing me about this. Just message with your concern and I’ll evaluate from there.

Additionally, I will not interact with Hamas apologists. Hamas is a terrorist organization.

Anyone trying to make me feel like this is an Us vs. Them situation will be blocked.

[respect-the-locals]

🐢Daily Sea Turtle Fact:🐢

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle: The olive ridley gets its name from the olive green color of its heart-shaped shell. The species is among the smallest of the world’s sea turtles and is found primarily in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Similar to Kemp's Ridleys, large groups of turtles gather offshore of nesting beaches. Then, all at once, vast numbers of turtles come ashore and nest in what is known as an "arribada" which means "arrival" in Spanish. During these arribadas, hundreds to thousands of females come ashore to lay their eggs.

[chaosartisan]

Project 2025 is scary but it's so scary for veterans and disabled people. Disability is also something that can happen to anyone. I implore you all to research and listen to disabled voices. If you are disabled and you have something you want to say whether it's a charity that will help, or a bill we can press our senators on or a harmful stereotype, I will reblog, I will listen, I can be uncomfortable and I will annoy my senator about the issues you bring to me. I want to do anything I can to make your life easier. If you're a veteran, speak up. Is there anything we can do for you? What systems do you think should change? You deserve compassion and you deserve support. I'm sorry if any part of this sounds like virtue signaling or if it sounds patronizing. I'm sorry I haven't been doing more before the election.

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Nobody:

Mental health influencers: Todays topic is c-ptsd :) common causes include a narcissist abused you and definitely didn’t feel bad about it because that’s what they do aren’t they sooo evil!!! beware!!!! and I guess there could be other less common causes too idk

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

It’s International Men’s Day 2024.

And I know, if there’s one place we don’t need to be validated, it’s by a faceless, nauseatingly-“woke” trillion dollar global tech company like Google.

But still, it’s a great opportunity to ask; what might such an acknowledgment look like, if it were to exist?

Would Google nod its head to men’s mental or physical health?

Would it salute dads, who continue their renaissance into modern fatherhood?

Might it send up a flair for the deteriorating rates of boys in education?

Or could it acknowledge the sacrifice men around the world make, even with their own life, to keep our lights on, water running, and kitchen stocked?

Well, we won’t be finding out this year.

So let’s design our own Doodles…

To be frank, I don’t care what Google big wigs say.

But as the front page of the Internet, this lack of visibility is a good barometer for a world that still looks the other way when it comes to men and boys advocacy, and this is what I see when Google leaves its iconic search bar unchanged.

A world not ready to accept that we all face hardships, regardless of sex, and all deserve visibility, if even just for one day a year.

So, what does International Mens Day look like to you?

And how would you like to see it celebrated?

(Also to be clear, Google designed none of these IMD artworks, I did, so please don’t sue me for doing your job)

[missbaphomet]

Got any tips/resources for solo aftercare?

Hi, yes! Obviously the aftercare needed will vary from person to person and based on what the scene was but here are some general ideas that could work for anyone!

Heating pad/ice packs

A bath with Epsom salt

Ibuprofen

A pet or stuffed animal to cuddle

Watch a movie or play a relaxing game

Your favorite music on low volume in a dark, quiet place (candles optional)

Gentle stretching and massage (with or without lotion if that is your preference)

A favorite drink (preferably not alcoholic) or comfort snack

Breathing exercises

First aid as needed

[shrimpmandan]

I think one of the reasons people cling to the idea of all kink being inherently sexual is because, even though Western society is deeply anti-sex, the idea of kink being a sexually deviant activity is still an easier pill to swallow than the idea of it being anything else: a hobby, a lifestyle, a relationship type, a way to wind down after a hard day at work, a form of nonsexual thrill-seeking.

Because even though we can conceptualize adrenaline junkies not doing what they do for sexual purposes, and we can also make that connection for people who like physically intensive sports, we just cannot, for whatever reason, conceptualize the idea of a person enjoying being hit by their partner unless it's for some pointedly sexually deviant reason. This idea that pain, bondage, and power exchange are these explicitly arousing subjects, as opposed to complex, nuanced, and often deeply emotional experiences meant to forge intimacy, trust, and safety in a d/s relationship. People can understand that an adult spanking their child isn't sexual, but the second they're both adults-- it's inherently erotic, explicitly so, and to even imply otherwise would be an utter perversion of what we perceive as appropriate for the public or not. And if it's not sexual, then it's characterized as abusive-- something that must've been forced upon the other partner because it satisfies the dominant's obviously sexual urges, and not anything else. Never anything else.

Kink is not inherently sexual. It's the public that sexualized kink.

[booksandbrainsandsoftthings]

Not so friend reminder that

Being a veteran does not exempt you from service dog laws

Being disabled does not exempt you from service dog laws

If your dog is not trained to perform tasks that mitigate and help manage a disability, and it does not know how to behave calmly in public, it is NOT a service dog.

If your dog is not a service dog, it does not have the right to be in places pets are not allowed.

Following trained service dogs with your untrained pet is not okay.

Being a jackass about it does not change the laws either.

Leave. Your. Pets. At. Home.

[precambrianpark]

just putting this out here because ive been seeing a lot of confusion on the subject

intrusive thoughts are not specific to OCD, or any disorder for that matter. anyone can have intrusive thoughts. however: intrusive thoughts are not random impulses, they are ego-dystonic (meaning they don't correspond your actual values) and often quite distressing. the distinction is important, and here is why:

intrusive thoughts and feelings are at the root of obsessive-compulsive disorder; when the thoughts emerge they are significantly more difficult to get rid of for those with OCD. the obsessive nature of OCD includes the thought distortion and prevalence of the obsessions (a latched on "theme"/ongoing thought spiral), the compulsions are the actions or rumination that follows which the sufferer performs to alleviate the discomfort. think of it this way. OCD is like having constant itches you feel the need to scratch. say everyone has itches, and for most, they come and go. but for some people, the itch demands to be scratched, and while there is temporary relief, it keeps coming back worse the next time. indulging in it adds to the ordeal, trapping them in a cycle. this is the basis of the disorder.

intrusive thoughts affect everyone - but they don't affect everyone equally. some bare the brunt of them to a life-altering extent. unwanted thoughts are a natural part of the human experience, but for many people they can consume them and develop into obsessions or ruminations. someone with harm ocd might deal with constant recurring thoughts of hurting people and have time-consuming rituals to "prove" otherwise. some people may have a similar thought but it will likely end there with minimal distress. while it is still an intrusive thought, and they may be distressing to you, they are certainly not a joke.

joking about intrusive thoughts "winning" and snapping as a result only further perpetuates the stigma surrounding OCD and misinforms people that intrusive thoughts do correspond to one's actual urges or values, when this is not the case and have the propensity to hurt people with OCD even more. please be respectful and try to be mindful of the degree of which OCD symptoms are minimized and dismissed. we need advocates and people willing to understand us.

also adding this: OCD cannot be reduced to intrusive thoughts. it is so much more, and people may be debilitated by any number of symptoms besides intrusive thoughts. for many people obsessional themes may begin as a singular thought, and ruminating and ritualizing may be what they struggle with the most. we do not share a monolithic experience.

adding this also: intrusive thoughts aren't necessarily gory or excessively violent; that's another mischaracterization. no matter the content, they are distressing to the person having it. it can be something like "what if i'm always focused on my breathing" or even "what if i'm actually a different mbti type from what i think i am" (yes i've actually spent excessive amounts of time ruminating over this one before)