We’ve often said that one of the best things about being a PTA versus other parent organizations is that you are never alone in this. Not only do you have resources from Illinois PTA and National PTA, but other state PTAs as well. Late last year, we published an article on ways your PTA could foster a welcoming holiday season. Making sure our PTA events are welcoming for all is sometimes a challenge. Recently, Washington State PTA shared some resources on how to accommodate those with special needs at your PTA events.
While the focus of the page is on special education broadly, the links on the sidebar share some tools your PTA may find helpful when planning your next PTA event. Among the items are:
- A venue checklist to ensure everyone can get to and around your event easily.
- A sample accommodations checklist to help you determine what accommodations people may need to attend your event.
- Considerations for a Recharge Room where people who need a break can take one.
- A list of special education resources, and while the Washington state-specific once are likely of limited use to PTAs in Illinois, the national and other resources linked are helpful for all.
It’s important to remember that PTA is for everyone, from membership being open to all, to advocating for every child, to welcoming all families as the first of the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships. We further the PTA mission when we make our events welcoming for everyone.
Photo © 2019 by Shockster2000 under Creative Commons license via Wikimedia Commons.
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