About the Webinar: This interactive and engaging webinar will explore student-led IEPs and their relationship to self-advocacy and student engagement. The webinar will be co-facilitated by a student from Oregon, a student from Washington DC, and the program director for youth leadership from SchoolTalk, a nonprofit focused on special education dispute resolution in DC. Presenters will share their personal experiences participating in the IEP process, provide a brief overview of the Student-led IEP demonstration project in Washington DC, show a clip from a film series, share resources, and facilitate a dialogue with webinar participants.
In a student-led IEP, the student actively participates in the development of his/her IEP and takes a leadership role in decision-making about his/her future. Student engagement levels are individualized based on the age, needs, and abilities of the student. Participants in the IEP meetings include students, parents/caregivers, special educators, general educators, support staff, and administrators.
Student-led IEPs is an innovative dispute resolution practice that fits into Stage 1 of the CADRE Continuum: Prevention. Students gain greater awareness of the impacts of their disabilities and develop critical self-advocacy and problem-solving skills that will help them to reach their goals, improve their academic and postsecondary outcomes, and become leaders in their own lives and futures. Student-led IEPs also enhance student/parent/school/community relationships and partnerships.
About the Presenters:
- David Friedemann, Self Advocate, Eugene, OR. David Friedemann is 18 years old and a senior at North Eugene High School. He experiences dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and ADHD. He was diagnosed at a young age so he spent most of his school years learning by trial and error to navigate the school system. He is active with Youth Move Oregon where he has trained in public speaking and is currently mentoring. He enjoys fly fishing, live music, and an active social life.
- Sara Grime, Conflict Resolution Specialist & Project Director, SchoolTalk, Washington, DC. Sarah Grime serves as a Conflict Resolution Specialist & Project Director for SchoolTalk, a non-profit focused on special education dispute resolution in DC. She has been with the organization since 2011. Ms. Grime manages several initiatives and projects focused on increasing collaboration to ensure the successful transition of youth with disabilities from school into post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. She has been involved in implementing a Student-led Individualized Education Program (IEP) process in DC and has been supporting its expansion. She is focused on working with DC youth to increase youth leadership in the District. She is a member of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Leadership Network. Sarah Grime received her Master of Arts in International Policy Studies, specializing in Human Rights and Conflict Resolution from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2010 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and International Affairs from Skidmore College in 2008.
- Moneé Wright, is interning as a youth leadership specialist at SchoolTalk in DC. SchoolTalk is a nonprofit that works with youth, schools, families, and stakeholders to resolve and prevent special education disputes. Moneé Wright works on youth leadership initiatives at SchoolTalk, including leading workshops and helping to prepare other DC students to lead workshops at the Annual Secondary Transition Forum. She is a senior at KIPP DC: College Prep. After she graduates, she plans on majoring in social work with a focus on toddler mental health.