Our Schools

Resources & Guides

SpedTex logo

The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families. Contact information:

Area Agency on Aging

Grandparents Raising Children With Disabilities Webinar  | Jan. 31

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of Tarrant County will host a webinar for grandparents raising grandchildren and parents of adult children with disabilities on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The webinar is absolutely free, but online registration is required.

Have questions? Please contact Marty Mascari at Mary@NTADS.net or 940-202-4500.

ESC Region 11 logo

Let's Go To Work  | Virtual Eight-Part Series

The Education Service Center (ESC) for Region 11 will host an eight-part virtual series about social security benefits with Sandy Hardy-Smith of Imagine Enterprises starting Nov. 3, 2022.

Families will get information on interpreting complex policy, rules and procedures of social security to assist with navigating pathways to employment. The come-and-go series concludes on May 6, 2023.

Have questions? Please contact Ebony Harris, MISD Transition Specialist, at EbonyHarris@misdmail.org.

Student & Parent Resources

People Language First

Language is a reflection of how people see each other. It is often the reason that the words we use can hurt others. We need to choose language that reflects the dignity of people with disabilities. Choosing words that put the person before the disability can have a more positive and helpful dialogue.

  • Think “people first”. Say, “a student who has mental retardation” rather than “a mentally retarded student.”
  • Never refer to a person as “confined to a wheelchair.” Wheelchairs allow people to escape confinement. A person with an orthopedic impairment “uses” a wheelchair for mobility.
  • Try to describe people without a disability as “typical” rather than “normal.”
  • Avoid words like “unfortunate,” “victim,” or “afflicted.” Try to avoid casting a person with a disability as somehow a superhuman because they “overcame” their “problem.” Most people with disabilities do not want to be thought of as tragic figures. They just want to be thought of as people.
  • Use common sense. Try to avoid using negative words like “crippled,” “slow,” or “deaf and dumb.” These terms are not usually relevant to any conversation about people and are never accurate. If you do not know how to refer to someone with a disability, ask.

Some helpful examples:

  • The handicapped or the disabled becomes…People with disabilities
  • My child is autistic becomes….My child has autism
  • She’s in Special Education becomes…She receives Special Education services
  • Afflicted with…suffers from…is stricken with becomes…Person who has
  • Confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair bound becomes…Uses a wheelchair
  • Handicapped parking is accessible parking