Self-Direction Partners

10/20/2025

Attention all Brokers, Please join us at 2 pm Tuesday 10/21 for a presentation on Communication from our friends, Open the Lid. The Zoom link is the same for every Upstate Broker Network meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81517491819?pwd=L3NYcVNDeDNZN0p4Q3QyaGtCVmtndz09
Meeting ID: 815 1749 1819
Passcode: 592401

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

08/23/2025

📣 There’s still time to join us! 📣

Be part of the 3rd Annual NY Special Needs & Disabilities Expo on Sunday, September 21 at the Albany Marriott! This incredible event connects families, caregivers, and individuals with vital resources, services, and products that make a difference.

🗓 Sunday, September 21 Marriott Albany
🎟 Free Admission for Attendees

✅ Apply to be an exhibitor here: https://form.fillout.com/t/sm6G7oqvnRus

Don’t miss your chance to connect with the community and showcase what you

02/12/2025

Presume Competence. Always.

At the heart of true inclusion is one simple but powerful belief: every person is capable of thinking, feeling, and understanding—regardless of how they communicate.

For nonspeakers who spell to communicate, the challenge isn’t intelligence. It’s access.

💡 When we presume competence:
✅ We listen before assuming.
✅ We support communication, not dismiss it.
✅ We create spaces where every voice is valued.

Too often, nonspeakers are underestimated simply because their words don’t come out the way society expects. But intelligence isn’t measured in speech—it’s found in thoughts, ideas, and expression in all forms.

✨ Believe. Support. Empower. ✨

If you agree that every voice matters, drop a ❤️ in the comments!

01/28/2025

01/26/2025

Join us for a Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs on January 28 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Extraordinary parenting responsibilities create extraordinary pressures on parents. At the same time, parenting a child with special needs requires energy, focus, and enthusiasm to be effective in our role. The better off we are emotionally and physically, the better off our families will be. Join us for this webinar on Preventing Parent Burnout and discover positive ways to cope with and effectively manage stress.

Register Here: https://rb.gy/nkz8rq

01/05/2025

What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education Webinar on January 13, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Join Tina Beauparlant for this training on What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education. Not everyone starts out by being a good advocate. Many parents, guardians and grandparents have faced challenges in getting their child’s education needs met. Parents, guardians, grandparents, must learn the skills they need to become good advocates for their children. Participants will learn that communicate effectively with teachers and other school personnel is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school is creating a good learning environment for your child, and to ensure that your child’s school is providing your child with the services or programs that he or she needs to succeed in school. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or just interested in this topic then this training is for you!

Registration link: http://tiny.cc/Advocacy

11/01/2024

What You Need to Know about Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

November 5 @ 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Have you heard of LRE or the Least Restrictive Environment? Many parents are unaware of what is means. (LRE) stands for Least Restrictive Environment and is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It refers to the placement that your child is in. Least restrictive environment is an important part of your child’s IEP.

Come join us for this new presentation and learn what the laws says about LRE.

Register Here: https://rb.gy/grnrfo