1. Cara Lucier, Esq. and Shannon Primer
From No to Yes

2. Agenda Introduction and Welcome Matthew’s Story Know Your Rights
Your IEP Team for ”Yes”
Independent Educational Evaluations
Community
Document Everything!
Transition IEPs
Questions?

3. Matthew’s Story

4. Know Your Child’s Rights
IDEA
Section 504
ADA

5. Building Your “Yes” Team
You are an important part of the team. 
No matter how many people they have on their side of the table your voice matters. 

6. Building Your “Yes” Team
Bring your own team/support!
Bring everyone who has an opinion that you agree with to the table.  Examples, your mom, your home aba team, your neighbor who watches your kid, etc. Anyone who loves your kid, can help you advocate. 
They may also hear something different then you or something you miss.

7. Building Your “Yes” Team
Sometimes you should bring cookies and sometimes you should bring an advocate.
Be flexible in your approach.

8. Building Your “Yes” Team
Pay attention to your gut feelings. No matter how good something looks, if it doesn’t feel right walk away. 

9. IEEs Independent Educational Evaluations can give you a second opinion
More in-depth information
Experts to inform the IEP team without being adversarial

10. IEEs
You can choose someone who is not on the school district list (within reason)
IEEs can be at public or private expense

11. Community Meet people in your community.
The number one way to learn what your district is not telling you is to talk to other parents. 
The answer is always no when you do not know what services are offered. 

12. Get Involved in the School
Does not have to be in your child’s class if your child can’t handle that. 

13. Get Involved in the School
If they allow other parents to volunteer, they cannot deny the child with disabilities parent the same opportunity.  

14. Get Involved in the School
Never sell your other parents down the river.  
We, the parents of children with disabilities, are a team and have to work together. 

15. Record and Document Always record your IEP team meetings.
Give the team 24 hours (written) notice.

16. Record and Document Never sign the IEP that day.
Go home and re read it, listen to the recording and bring up any concerns to the team. 

17. If it is not recorded or in writing it does not count.
Record and Document
Document, document, document!
If it is not recorded or in writing it does not count. 

18. Record and Document
Also document retaliation, delays, and when you are told no.
Put your requests in writing to get official response.

19. Transition IEP’s
Always ask for one 30 to 45 days after you move placements. What works in place A may not work in place B. 
Different teachers and different staff have different ways of doing things, those are all things that need to be talked about so we continue on a YES working environment. 

20. Questions?
Cara Lucier, Esq. is a civil rights attorney specializing in education and disabilities rights. Previously a school district attorney, Cara switched to representing families and people with disabilities once her son was diagnosed with autism. In addition to her full time law practice, Cara teaches special education advocacy at the University of San Diego School of Law. You can reach Cara at
Shannon Primer is a Paralegal/Advocate helping families with IEPs, Regional Center, and IHSS. Shannon Primer has 4 kids, 3 out of the 4 who had IEPS.  Prior to having a disabled child she work in a special education classroom, with children with multiple disabilities. In 2009 she took the USD Advocacy course. She has been a Parent Mentor for a major Southern California autism charity since their program started.  She advocates in most of Southern California.  She also advocates with Educate.Advocate  in Sacramento on IHSS, Region Center and IEP related bills.