May at FACT Oregon/Mayo en FACT Oregon

This month we are excited to feature stories and experiences from moms who experience disability and their journeys to becoming mothers and parenting in an ableist world.

My heart is heavy as I type this. Oregon lost an amazing person this week with the passing of Kathryn Weit, one of the founders of FACT Oregon. She was a parent leader like no other, a real agent of change, a mentor and dear friend. Kathryn and several of our founding board members were the self-described group “Mothers from Hell.” From its inception, Kathryn’s vision was for FACT Oregon to harness the power of families stories and lived experience, and to use that power to champion change in systems so that they work for families. All families.

This has also been an emotional time as we process the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. FACT Oregon continues to listen, learn, and grow in applying an equity lens to our work. Disability is universal and exists across race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation and identity, and socio-economic status. FACT Oregon is stronger when it is accessible to all families. This means being able to listen to, and learn from, Black families.

We stand with the Black community. It is not enough to say we are not racist, we commit to being antiracist. Systems change and reform is needed at all levels to address inequity and disproportionality. We know, and data substantiates, that Black students are more likely to be restrained and secluded, face disciplinary action, and/or be overrepresented in special education.

FACT Oregon is a member of the Oregon Partners for Education Justice (OPEJ) and is supporting the work of Our Children Oregon, Foundations For a Better Oregon (FBO) and OPEJ in the work of addressing systemic racism and oppression in educational systems. We benefit from their reciprocal support in dismantling ableism.

“[If] you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” ― Lilla Watson

In gratitude,

Executive Director

Training Offerings!

Todd Dunn: The Life I want... A Self-Advocates Story

(Spanish Interpretation Available)

May 19th, 6 - 7:30

Online!

During this training FACT Oregon Executive Director Roberta Dunn and her son, Todd Dunn share his pursuit of a whole bumpy, beautiful, messy, and wonderful life; including working and living with a roommate. They'll share how intention, perseverance

and action shaped Todd's life...

and not disability

ANYTIME!

ANYWHERE!

(Available in Spanish and English)

Kindergarten means lots of changes for your child experiencing disability. Especially this year with COVID-19 and slowly returning to in-person learning. This training will offer tips and tools for a successful year, information about the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and how to be your child’s #1 fan and advocate.

ANYTIME!

ANYWHERE!

(Available in Spanish and English)

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes your child's special education needs and services. Learn more about how the IEP is made, how to actively engage in the process, and advocate for your child's specific school needs.

Up For Discussion!

Articles, videos, and podcasts to spark conversations with your friends and family!

Podcast: A Story of Mothering and Disabilities

Joan Buckley from the department of nursing talks to Ona Gritz, a poet, children’s author and memoirist about parenting with a disability. In her 2017 book, "On the Whole: a Story of Mothering and Disability," Ona Gritz shares many personal stories that describe her life as someone growing up with cerebral palsy and eventually becoming a mother.

Listen Here

Kara Ayers, PhD, She/Her

Dr. Ayers is the Associate Director and an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD).

Listen to Her Ted Talk about parenting with a disability, as well as societies perception of parents with disabilities here!

Watch Here!

Katrina Gossett Kelly, She/Her

Navigating the Wheelchair Accesible Path to Adoption

Katrina Gossett Kelly is an attorney in Indianapolis, performs improv at ComedySportz and serves as a disability advocate throughout Indiana. Her favorite job of all is being mom to her young son, adopted from Bulgaria—an adorable little boy with the same disability as Katrina, spinal muscular atrophy.

Read here

Resources for Conversations about Race

Coming Together is Sesame Workshop's commitment to racial justice. We believe in a world where all children can reach their full potential and humanity—and do so in celebration of their races, ethnicities, and cultures. Together with experts, we've designed developmentally appropriate resources to help you guide your child to be smarter, stronger, and kinder—and an up-stander to racism.

This list, compiled by Penguin Random House Books, is an extensive list of books, videos, and resources for young adults interested and invested in an anti-racist future. It also serves as a jumping off point for young people interested in activism work. This is ideal for teens and young adults.

In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.