Advocacy Organizations
The following organizations provide education and mental health advocacy services (in person or via phone consultation) to students with disabilities and their families. Education advocates provide assistance to families who have questions about special education. Topics of concern may include evaluations and eligibility, supports and services, specially designed instruction, school placement, behavior issues, related services such as speech, occupational therapy and more.
The Amplify Advocacy Stories for Youth by Youth is a chance for youth and young adults with disabilities to share their stories, challenges, and advice with other youth with disabilities. Watch these videos.
DRP helps people with disabilities in many areas such as abuse and neglect, access to community services, discrimination, ADA compliance issues, education, assistive technology, voting access, and access to Medical Assistance services. They help assist individuals with disabilities in mental health recovery. The help can include information, referral to other organizations, advocacy, and legal action.
The mission of the Education Law Center (ELC) is to ensure access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania. To that end, they advocate on behalf of students with disabilities. Their support might include direct legal representation; impact litigation; educating parents, students, and advocates about students’ legal rights; training and support for community groups and child-serving professionals; publications that build understanding of education issues; and policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
Serving youth involved with the child welfare system in Allegheny County
Provides affordable quality legal service, identity theft prevention, consultation, and restoration.
Provides assistance to families in Beaver County whose children are in need of special education advocacy services and resource information.
Provides the resources for families and educational agencies to resolve educational disputes.
This organization provides help for parents regarding special education laws and PA regulations.
The PEAL Center has been committed to serving families and professionals across Pennsylvania. PEAL works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves. PEAL’s services are provided at no charge to families as they are funded by private donations and federal, state, and private grants.
Self Advocates United as 1 is a group of people who envision a world where people with developmental disabilities and their families are united to share knowledge, empower others, and use their voices to transform their communities and people’s lives. They hold letter-writing, e-mail, and phone workshops to help others learn how to advocate for change. SAU1 teaches people at many levels about full inclusion and rights for all people.
Finding Advocates
Families are the best advocates for their children, but sometimes they need help. Advocates or family support partners, outside people with knowledge of the special education processes, may be helpful.
There are no state qualifications or requirements for advocates. Therefore, the training and experiences of advocates will vary greatly. Some agencies, departments, or individuals provide family supports for advocacy; however, the level of support may vary depending on the charter of the organization. Additionally, some supports are at a cost and some are at no cost to parents. The following organizations provide advocacy services which include going to IEP meetings or other meetings at the school, consulting with
Achieva is an organization that also encompasses the ARC of Greater Pittsburgh. They provide advocacy services, including attending IEP meetings, at no cost to families. They serve Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Beaver counties. Families can call their intake line at 412-955-5000 extension 486 or complete their intake form online at https://www.achieva.info/advocacy-contact .
Allegheny Family Network (AFN) coordinates family support partners (family members who are well-versed in working with education programs in the school). Parents may contact AFN to make a self-referral where intake staff will gather some information to try to match you up with a family support partner. The family support partners may be available to attend IEP meetings at no cost. Contact them at 888-273-2361 or 412-246-2030 or visit their website https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help.
The staff at Autism Caring Center assist individuals facing autism and comparable challenges with free educational advocacy. They can attend school meetings and consult on IEPs and 504s. Families can visit their website for additional information.
East Suburban Citizen Advocacy offers free advocacy services to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the lifespan living in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. They can provide telephone, virtual, and onsite assistance at no cost. Call or email them for additional information.