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NEA Advice

Invisible Disabilities

Not all disabilities are apparent from the outside. These physical, emotional, or neurological conditions—known as invisible, or non-apparent, disabilities—can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities, and can impact that person’s ability to learn or work. These conditions affect students and educators more than you may think.
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By: National Education Association
Published: October 17, 2021
This resource originally appeared on NEA.org

Non-Apparent Disabilities: Take A Closer Look

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Resources

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Supporting Students with Differing Abilities

Inclusive education policies and practices ensure all of our students have the skills they need to thrive in their schools, careers, and communities.
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Advocating for and Supporting At-Risk Educators

The NEA's Office of General Counsel held a virtual conversation to discuss important details about accommodations and leave through the Americans with Disabilities Act as they relate to COVID-19.
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Podcast: Educating Students With Disabilities in a Pandemic

April Burch is a paraprofessional currently working in clerical services and co-founder of Cooking Autism, a nonprofit that helps educators offer life skills programs to children with disabilities. As a mother to two sons with special needs herself, she discusses the unique experience of educating students with disabilities during a pandemic.

NEA’s IDEA Cadre: Educators Leading The Way 

The NEA’s recently-formed IDEA Cadre are a group of nearly two dozen educators with expertise from various special and general education disciplines from diverse geographic, demographic, professional, and paraprofessional backgrounds. The IDEA Cadre works collaboratively to identify and respond to current and emerging issues through the creation of resources and trainings to support our membership and the students they serve.  

The group works in four main areas, called domains, that include elevating the voice of members who are experts in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; creating and providing resources and professional development to NEA members; strengthening and establishing new partnerships with disability organizations; and dispelling the monolithic perceptions of individuals with disabilities. Stay tuned for more updates on the great work our IDEA Cadre is doing here. 

  

YOU are the union.

Learn how you can support your local in bargaining, protect your union rights, and strengthen your worksite.
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Get Special Education Resources

All students deserve an education that sparks their curiosity and desire to learn. Special education fits our most vulnerable students’ unique needs.
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A labor union and professional organization.

Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island. Since its inception in 1845, our members have been at the center of every struggle to advance the finest of American dreams: the promise of a quality public education for every child. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a member - chances are, you know us already!
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