Disability Advocates for Alabamas Public Schools

Via Email and U.S. Mail

September 6, 2017

The Honorable Kay Ivey

President
Alabama State Board of Education
State Capitol Room N-104
Montgomery, AL 36130

Dear Governor Ivey,

Students with disabilities make up almost twelve percent of Alabamas public school
population. While their strengths and needs are diverse, one thing unites them as a group:
before being students with disabilities, they are students first.

Students with disabilities thrive on the same things as their peers without disabilities: the
excitement of the first day of school; affirming attaboys given by a caring teacher; a circle
of friends with whom to share lunch; and a sense that what theyre learning is important and
is going to make their lives better.

Their parents want them prepared for the life outcomes that parents of students without
disabilities want: further educational opportunities; gainful employment; and an engaging
and connected life in the community. More importantly, students with disabilities want
these things too. They are not willing to live segregated lives like generations before them
were forced to do, provided no choice and no opportunity.

They, like other students, blossom with well-trained and resourced school staff who believe
they can learn to high standards and they benefit from accountability measures that support
such expectations.

Alabama, like so many other states, faces challenges in meeting the needs of students with
disabilities. Our school systems are stressed by increasingly limited resources. Teachers
want and need better support to respond to the diverse learners found in their classrooms.
Too many school communities and the families whom they serve are disconnected from each
other. Families sense an indifference to the idea that these students outcomes matter and

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fear that the states accountability system is not paying attention and stepping in where and
when things are not going well.

We, the undersigned advocacy groups representing thousands of families, are heartened by
the desire voiced by the State School Board to engage in a dialogue about these students. We
are eager to engage in such a dialogue with you. To that end, we respectfully request that
meaningful time be set aside at the October work session to begin such a discussion. And
while starting this dialogue is important, we advocates are prepared to work. We are ready
to work with you, State Department staff, and with the public to further the education of all
of Alabamas students, including those with diverse learning needs.

With best regards,

Disability Advocates for Alabamas Public Schools

Membership organizations and representatives:

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, Nancy Anderson, Associate Director
Alabama Parent Education Center, Jeana Winter, Executive Director
Autism Society of Alabama, Bama Hager, Policy Director
Disability Rights and Resources, Gwen Brown, Peer Advocate
Down Syndrome Alabama, Sue Tolle, Executive Director
Full Life Ahead Foundation, Tammy Moore, Executive Director
Lakeshore Foundation, Karin Korb, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator
People First of Alabama, Katy Johnson, Board President
Special Education Community Alliance, Dustin Chandler, President

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Disability Advocates for Alabamas Public Schools is a coalition of disability advocacy groups
and individuals working to ensure that Alabamas public school system meets the needs of
students with disabilities. We are family members, advocates, and friends who have high
expectations for students with disabilities. We inspire public schools to share our high
expectations and have accountability systems that demand such. We embolden public schools
to be responsive to the accessibility, learning and behavioral needs of students with disabilities
and to welcome their families. And, we want our public schools to have the necessary technical
and financial resources to support our students so that when these students graduate from high
school, they are prepared to pursue their life dreams.