Useful Advocacy Tool For Iphone, Ipad Users

"Humanism believes that the individual attains the good life by harmoniously combining personal satisfactions and continuous self-development with significant work and other activities that contribute to the welfare of the community."   ~  Corliss Lamont ~

In navigating the public school special education system. parents often find themselves up against huge barriers working through the heavily laden bureaucracy.  More often than not, parents are left feeling confused and helpless as they attempt to come to grips with their child's disability and an appropriate education as defined by state and federal laws.  School districts by and large often add to the stress level by not working in cooperation with parents to appropriately educating children with special needs as defined by law.

It is no surprise to me that a thoughtful educator has come up with an app with parents in mind.  In response to the countless parents running into brick walls with school districts, the use of new technology in the iPhone and iPad devices help parents have useful  resources within easy reach. The latest technology gives parents a tool readily available at their finger tips with an app created by Syracuse University School of Education professor Alan Foley. It is called the iAdvocate and it's free through iTunes. Basically, the application provides strategic information and resources to engage and empower parents by helping them be aware of their legal rights in getting a free and appropriate education for their children.

Foley who is the associate professor in the Department of Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation (IDDE) hopes the app will serve to enable parents to work in a collaborative effort with school professionals toward positive resolutions in educating children.  In essence, Foley hopes the use of the app will help to improve services and access for children by providing needed support for parents.

I use a Blackberry and have no immediate plan to switch to the iPhone.  I hope an app will be made for it in the near future.