RESOURCES FOR

​FAMILIES

Welcome.
We know the challenges your child faces are not just about school—they’re about systems that haven’t been built with them in mind. ROI offers tools, training, spaces for dialogue, relationship-building, and advocacy to change systems so disabled youth, especially those facing multiple barriers, can thrive. 

This page offers resources to support families in navigating systems and advocating for meaningful access and opportunity for children and youth with disabilities. Here, you will find tools, guidance, and information designed to help you understand your rights, partner with schools, and ensure your child is fully included, valued, and supported in their growth and learning journey.
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A photo of a two adults and a child. The child is pointing at a backpack being held by an adult.

Learning About Special Education Services

These fact sheets offer clear explanations of how special education works, what services are available, and how families and schools work together to support students with disabilities.
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) FOR TODDLERS
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STARTING KINDERGARTEN - WHAT FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NEED TO KNOW
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SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATIONS - TOWARDS STRENGTHS-BASED, WHOLE-STUDENT EVALUATIONS
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IEPS AND 504 PLANS - TWO PATHS TOWARD INCLUSION
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SUPPORTING DISABLED CAREGIVERS IN YOUR SCHOOL
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AS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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Understanding Disability Justice and Intersectionality

These resources explore how race, disability, and other identities shape a student’s experience in school to build an understanding of why equity efforts must be rooted in the voices of those most impacted.
EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES FACED BY BLACK STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND POTENTIALLY PROMISING PRACTICES
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UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY JUSTICE AS A GUIDING FRAMEWORK FOR INCLUSIONARY PRACTICE IN K-12 EDUCATION
This resource available in multiple languages
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THE INTERSECTION OF RACE AND DISABILITY IN EDUCATION
This resource available in multiple languages
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Take the Next Step in Your Advocacy Journey

Ready to deepen your involvement? These resources will help you grow your advocacy skills, connect with others, and make a difference in your child’s school and in your community.

Roots of Inclusion Community Conversation Toolkit

A Tool for Parents, Powered by Community.
Our Community Conversation Toolkit was created to support parents and caregivers in leading meaningful conversations about inclusion, access, and opportunity for children and youth with disabilities. Whether you are part of a parent group, family advisory board, or interested in gather people to explore an issue, this toolkit helps you create safe, respectful spaces to share experiences, build understanding, and spark ideas for change. It’s easy to use and designed to help families lead from their lived expertise.

EXPLORE THE TOOLKIT

Family Engagement Through Storytelling and

​Podcasting

A Toolkit for Washington State's K-12 Schools
​Storytelling can open doors to deeper connection and understanding between families and schools. This toolkit, created by Roots of Inclusion and inspired by the Rooted in Washington podcast series, offers strategies for using storytelling—including podcasting—as a powerful tool for building trust, honoring lived experience, and strengthening family engagement in K–12 schools across Washington State.

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Frameworks for Equity-Centered Decision Making

These resources help educators navigate decision-making and conflict with clarity, compassion, and a commitment to inclusive school transformation.

Leading with Disability for Inclusive Decision-Making and Dispute Resolution
As part of the Washington Statewide Family Engagement Center, Roots of Inclusion partnered with CoDesign Works to co-create frameworks that help school communities make more inclusive decisions and resolve conflicts in ways that center student success, dignity, and joy. Grounded in disability justice and equity, these frameworks support educators, families, and advocates in transforming school culture through practices that recognize and respond to every student’s lived experience.
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Learn at Your Own Pace: On-Demand Learning

These self-paced learning sessions are designed to help families better understand how schools can help to support students with complex support needs to access their learning environment. Each session includes clear explanations and real-life examples to help you feel more informed and confident as you navigate supports for your child.

ON-DEMAND LEARNING SERIES 

FEATURING ROBYN GOBBEL, MSW

ABOUT THIS SERIES:

Supporting children who have experienced trauma, struggle with regulation, or have otherwise vulnerable nervous systems is overwhelming and confusing. Behaviors that result from vulnerable nervous systems are often big and baffling. 

Children with vulnerable nervous systems need support with co-regulation, connection, and felt-safety. This on-demand learning series will help participants to:
·      Build an understanding of behavior through a neurobiological approach
·      Develop tools for examining behavior and identifying how best to respond
·      Identify strategies to address behavior based in dysregulation
·      Decrease the likelihood of baffling behaviors

Learn from this easy-to-understand model of addressing baffling behaviors based on Robyn Gobbel’s owl, watchdog, and possum brain, and fill your behavior toolbox with tools that really work so you can stop playing behavior whack-a-mole.
ACCESS THE ONLINE LEARNING SERIES

Recorded Webinars You Can Watch Anytime

These webinar recordings feature conversations with parents, educators, and experts about how to support students with disabilities. You will hear real stories, learn about your rights, and get ideas to help you partner with your child’s school more effectively.
BEYOND BARRIERS: DISRUPTING RACISM AND ABLEISM TO BUILD BELONGING IN SCHOOLS

Featured Speakers: Carrie Basas and Heidi Sohn
Recorded May 28, 2025
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CRAFTING AND IMPLEMENTING AN INCLUSIVE IEP

Featured Speakers: Jaimee Kidder, OSPI and Gail Ghere and Jennifer Sommerness from TIES Center
Recorded April 22, 2025
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SHIFTING PRACTICE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS WHOSE BEHAVIORS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD

Featured Speaker: Guy Stephens, E.D. of Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
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"THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME" PANEL DISCUSSION 

Featured Speakers: Jordyn Zimmerman, Grant Blasko, and Cynthia Blasko
Recorded May 24, 2023
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USING A STRENGTHS-BASED, WHOLE-STUDENT EVALUATION APPROACH

Featured Speakers: Taina Karru-Olsen and Kelly Marth
Recorded March 12, 2025
ACCESS THE RECORDING

Helpful Videos That Explain Key Ideas

These short videos make complex topics easier to understand. Whether you're learning about special education, inclusive classrooms, or how to work with your child’s school team, these videos are a simple way to get the information you need—fast.

Quick Guides and Visuals to Make Complex Topics Easier

These one-page infographics and summaries explain key concepts in a simple, visual way - perfect for busy families or anyone looking for a quick overview.
Roots of Inclusion
​P.O. Box 6784
​Bellevue, WA.  98008
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Disclaimer:  Our website contains links to external websites, documents and publications.  These links are provided in an effort to share access to research and materials that are related to the work of Roots of Inclusion and are provided for informational purposes only.  Links to other websites and publications do not imply a recommendation for all of the content found on these sites but rather an opportunity to learn about the complexities of issues.