Special Education Spotlight San Francisco: Resources for Students, Teachers, and Parents

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Those in San Francisco who are seeking special education resources need not look far for the information they need. From the public school district to nonprofit organizations, San Francisco residents can turn to several institutions to access an abundance of articles, handbooks, online tools and guides designed to help them teach, raise and support those with special needs.

Parents and teachers seeking a better understanding of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and special education laws, teachers wishing to improve their special education instructional strategies or special needs students and their families eager to learn more about specific disabilities have a large support network in the city of San Francisco.

Special Education Resources Through the San Francisco Education System

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) offers an online Supplemental Guide that details the special education enrollment process, placement options and information about IEPs. In addition, it provides information about other special education services, such as counseling, speech and language therapy, alternative communication and assistive technology.

SFUSD also has a Community Advisory Committee for Special Education. Its site has links to helpful blogs, special education law information and support services for parents of special needs children.

Support for San Francisco Special Education Teachers

The goal of United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) is to help teachers maximize learning opportunities for all students. UESF has a Special Education Committee that provides several resources for teachers, such as links to the California Teacher Association Special Education Resource Guide, teaching tools and tips, California Department of Education intervention guidelines and teacher rights in regards to IEPs.

The Northern California Branch of the International Dyslexia Association serves the San Francisco Bay Area and provides training programs for elementary, middle and high school special education teachers. Both special education and mainstream teachers are taught introductory and advanced techniques proven to help both traditional students and those with special needs.

Special Education Support from Nonprofit Organizations in San Francisco

The non-profit Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE) provides parents with information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is an advocate for special education. Its website provides a link to the Special Education Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. CASE also offers consultative services, parent and teaching staff training and representative services in which CASE advocates attend IEP meetings.

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San Francisco’s Support for Families of Children with Disabilities is a nonprofit organization designed to provide support services for families and students. Online links direct readers to information about parent support groups, special education legislation, advocacy organizations and early intervention programs.

People with Disabilities Foundation of San Francisco has free seminars and workshops designed to help disabled elementary and high school students develop and strengthen coping skills.

KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) San Francisco offers Bay Area special needs children the opportunity to participate in non-competitive recreational activities. Unstructured programs are offered in swimming, basketball, tennis and more.

More San Francisco Special Needs Nonprofit Organizations

Several nonprofit organizations focusing on specific types of developmental or other disorders or disabilities have chapters in or serve San Francisco. Workshops, support groups, youth camps and online articles are some of the resources made available by these types of organizations, which include:

• Autism Society – San Francisco Bay Area
• Northern California Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD)
• Northern California Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
• Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
• Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California