From the Executive Director

As July’s Disability Pride celebrations wrap up, our commitment to inclusion does not take a summer break. August marks a critical turning point as we look ahead to the changing season and back-to-school transitions.

Sustaining disability inclusion through August requires focusing on key advocacy milestones, regional policy events, and peer support networks. Major upcoming focal points include the Accessible Ohio Conference and Expo and the hybrid Ohio Disability Policy Candidates Forum 2026. Check our calendar on our website to learn more about our ongoing peer support.

And with the arrival of August, students and families are getting ready to go back to school. Talking about the upcoming year and changes can help reduce that back-to-school anxiety! Talk to your child about exciting new classes, activities, and events they can participate in during the new school year. If your child is attending a new school, try to schedule a visit before the first day. With older students, it is sometimes helpful to explain the services and accommodations in their IEP so that they know what to expect when school begins. Encourage your child to associate school with positive feelings. When your student returns home from school try not to ask, “what did you do today” but ask “what made you happy today” – it encourages students to share meaningful moments rather than summarizing the entire day. Learn more in the Ultimate Back-to-School Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities.

I hope August brings new and exciting opportunities for everyone. As always, I encourage you to contact Independence Alliance with your questions or ideas. I can be reached at 513-338-5100 or by email.

Kind regards,

Rob

Rob Festenstein

Executive Director



Back to School Trivia: Which came first - the pencil or the pen?

The third person to respond here with the correct answer will receive a $10 gift card.