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We recently received a letter from parents, Brian and ShaRhonda, that points to what you and others make possible through your support of our mission. We wanted to share their story with you. ShaRhonda said:

Last fall, my daughter, who had received early intervention services for a language delay, began acting out in her preschool classroom.

My husband and I realized our school district hadn’t made any plans to transition her from early intervention to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) even though she still clearly needed support. The mismatch between their expectations and the lack of support meant my daughter received two disciplinary actions. The first time, I was asked to pick her up from the principal’s office and take her home early from school. 

She was three years old.

After several meetings with the school and unsure what to do, the family was introduced to Equip for Equality.  One of our Special Education attorneys listened to ShaRhonda and laid out a course of action.

With the help of the lawyer, Brian and ShaRhonda were able to help advocate for their daughter and reach an agreement with the district to get their daughter the services she needed, including a one-on-one aide in the classroom.

Equip for Equality was able to serve as an advocate for the family and a translator to help cut through the legal language they encountered.

Without the help from Equip for Equality, Brian and ShaRhonda’s daughter would not have an IEP and would not have been allowed to stay in the class with her non-disabled peers.  Equip for Equality is here so families don’t have to face the challenges of Special Education alone.

As ShaRhonda said to us:

It’s heartbreaking for me to try and make sure I am doing the right thing. I still get lost and need people to explain things to me. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

No one, no one, with a child with special needs, should have to jump through all these hoops to give their child the services they need to be successful. No one. 

Luckily, there is Equip for Equality, so you don’t have to jump through the hoops of Special Education alone. 

Equip for Equality works hard to break down barriers to inclusion for children and adults with disabilities.

Your support of Equip for Equality opens opportunities for Brian and ShaRhonda’s family and nearly 4,000 others every year. No other nonprofit in our state provides legal advocacy to people with disabilities on such a broad range of issues as we do.

 Your support is what makes these opportunities possible.

Thank you so much for everything you do to even the odds for people with disabilities.

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