Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. 
people with diverse disabilities win employment setting
    National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is " Inclusion Drives Innovation."

    The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

    "Americans of all abilities must have access to good, safe jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta.  "Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation."

    Reflecting this year's theme, Missouri Parents Act has planned a variety of activities to educate communities and young adults with disabilities throughout the state of Missouri on disability transition, post-secondary, and employment issues and our commitment to an inclusive culture.

    Additional Resources:
Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia PSA
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms which result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.

Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person's life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment, and in its more severe forms, will qualify a student for special education, special accommodations, or extra support services.

Additional Resources:
Bullying Awareness Month


In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal uniform definition of bullying for research and surveillance. The core elements of the definition include: unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition.

There are many different modes and types of bullying.  The current definition acknowledges two modes and four types by which youth can be bullied or can bully others. The two modes of bullying include direct (e.g., bullying that occurs in the presence of a targeted youth) and indirect (e.g., bullying not directly communicated to a targeted youth such as spreading rumors). In addition to these two modes, the four types of bullying include broad categories of physical, verbal, relational (e.g., efforts to harm the reputation or relationships of the targeted youth), and damage to property.

Additional Resources:
Special Education Process Spotlight
What are Proportionate Share Funds?

Proportionate share funds are the amount of IDEA Part B funds a district must reserve and spend over a maximum two year period to provide special education and related services to students ages five to twenty-one who have been evaluated and determined eligible and are parentally placed in either a private/parochial or home school setting in the district's boundaries.

What if funds are not used?

Under IDEA, if a district does not spend its proportionate share of Part B funds in the current year (FY 17), it has an additional one-year carryover period (FY 18) to obligate and spend those funds. The proportionate share carryover amount to 2017-18 can be found on the 2016-17 FER Supporting Data page (Proportionate Share Carryover to next fiscal year amount).

To learn more visit:
https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/news-and-updates
To find MPACT trainings and upcoming events in your area, it's only one click away! 
MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2016 MPACT. All rights reserved.
Missouri Parents Act | 800-743-7634 | 
Email | Website