“Community is built through access.” — Aimi Hamraie
Special Education Advocacy, Knowledge, and Support
In This Issue
- EG SPEAKS in the Community
- Advocacy Update
- Golden Hour Gala
- Empathy into Action Award
- Observances
- YouTube Channel Launch
- Merch
- Community Corner
- Volunteer
- Connect
Dear EG SPEAKS Community,
As we step into a new season, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement for all that is unfolding at EG SPEAKS. This past month has been especially meaningful for our community. On March 21st, we proudly celebrated our 2nd birthday as a formal nonprofit — a milestone that reflects the strength, resilience, and growth of the families and advocates who make this work possible.
We are also deep in the joyful planning of our upcoming Golden Hour Gala, a night that will bring our community together in celebration, connection, and shared purpose. We can’t wait to gather with so many of you for an evening that honors how far we’ve come and fuels the work ahead. I am incredibly grateful for the volunteers who have come together to make this event possible. Please continue reading the newsletter to find out more about the gala, get your tickets, or become a sponsor or auction donor!
In just two years, we have had the privilege of supporting over 125 families and students in navigating IEPs and accessing the services they deserve. Beyond advocacy, we’ve created spaces for belonging by hosting disability-inclusive events that center connection and community. Our work has also been recognized in powerful ways — from receiving an award from the City of Elk Grove to being acknowledged at the California State Assembly during Developmental Disability Month as a disability rights organization.
These moments are reminders that this work matters, that our voices are being heard, and that together, we are creating lasting change.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We are just getting started.
Amanda Scott
President/CEO
Golden Hour Gala
A Big Day of Giving Celebration
Thursday, May 7th, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Christopher Cellars Winery
Tickets on sale now — Early Bird Discount until March 13th.
EG SPEAKS is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · EIN 99-1505180
EG SPEAKS in the Community
Highlights from our recent events and recognitions — including the City of Elk Grove award and our acknowledgment at the California State Assembly during Developmental Disability Month.
Current & Upcoming Observances
March Month-Long Observances
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
- Brain Injury Awareness Month
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month
- Trisomy Awareness Month
- National Social Work Month
Key Days in March
- March 26 — Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
April Month-Long Observances
- Autism Acceptance Month
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Month
- Limb Loss & Limb Difference Awareness Month
Weeks in April
- National Public Health Week (first full week of April)
Key Days in April
- April 1 — Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
- April 2 — World Autism Acceptance Day
- April 7 — World Health Day
- April 10 — National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- April 11 — World Parkinson’s Day
- April 16 — National Healthcare Decisions Day
- April 17 — World Hemophilia Day
- April 25 — World Malaria Day
- Last Saturday in April — Limb Loss Awareness Day
EG SPEAKS YouTube Channel Announcement
EG SPEAKS is now on YouTube! Here you can see free workshops, recorded sessions, school board public comments, and more! Let us know what you would like to see on our channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!
EG S.P.E.A.K.S.
Students, Parents & Educators Advocating for Kids in Special Education
Board of Directors
- Amanda Scott — President/CEO
- Dustin Noble — Vice President
- Khadija Salmond — Treasurer
- Marissa Bitcon — Secretary
- Jencie Ferraro — Director
Advocacy Update — IEP Spotlight
Let’s Get Specific About Specific Learning Disabilities
A learning disability concern usually arises when a student’s academic achievement does not match their intellectual abilities.
Challenges in one or more of these areas should lead to evaluation:
- Oral expression
- Listening comprehension
- Written expression
- Basic reading skills
- Reading fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Math: calculation
- Math: problem solving
If you suspect a learning disability, request a full cognitive evaluation with formal achievement assessment in math, writing, and reading, and an evaluation in oral expression and listening comprehension.
The following are the names of learning disabilities: Reading Comprehension, Dyslexia, Basic Reading, Reading Fluency, Written Expression, Oral Expression, Math Problem Solving, Math Calculation, Listening Comprehension.
Ensure your team explicitly states which one(s) and how this shows up for your child in the IEP. There should be at least one goal per learning disability, and services written to address the learning disability and corresponding services to execute it.
- Progress monitoring is a weekly or bi-weekly assessment to establish if the intervention (RTI) is working. Ask your team to provide, in writing, their progress monitoring plan and ask for a specific timeline of reporting of that data to you.
- If you have not had one, request an Assistive Technology (AT) assessment.
- Accommodations and curriculum modifications are not just for the learning center; your student should also have them in the general education classroom.
SLD Resources
Virtual Event — Free through March 31, 2026: Left Behind: A Documentary About Dyslexia
Superstar: Aya Christensen — Current student at Loyola Marymount University
“I created the Daily Art Book for Teens because I’ve always struggled with putting my thoughts into words because of my dyslexia. Journaling was extremely frustrating for me and I wanted to find an alternative way to express my feelings. Drawing has always been that for me. Many people with learning disabilities find it difficult to express their emotions through words, and drawing has been an outlet not only for me, but for my family as well. It’s also a form of expression that can feel very personal and private, something only the person drawing can fully understand. So there’s no fear of someone reading your journal or misinterpreting your emotions, which makes it feel safe. Overall, the reason that I created this book was because I wanted to share that form of emotional expression with other people.”
Reminder: If you disagree with the results of the full cognitive evaluation, you can request an Ed Psych IEE from your program specialist. When it comes to SLD, we advise you to push for the most information possible, so the goals, services, and accommodations truly help your student make progress.
If you would like support navigating the IEP process for your student with a learning disability, email getsupport@egspeaks.org
Helpful Links:
- LDAAmerica.org
- NCLD.org — helpful app: RTI
- Understood.org
Community Corner
EverBloom Neurodiversity Family Community Event
Sunday, April 12, 2026 · 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Elk Grove Pavilion, Elk Grove, CA · FREE
Topics: Autism, ADHD, Sensory Needs, Behavioral Support. Connect with professionals, explore community resources, and learn about neurodivergence, sensory needs, and support strategies.
Who should attend: Parents & caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, educators, therapists, and providers.
Hosted by the EverBloom Foundation and presented by Chinwe Asidanya, Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Founder of EverBloom Holistic Nursing & EverBloom Foundation.
Secure Your Ticket · www.everbloompc.com · (916) 414-9210 · foundation@everbloompsychiatry.org
Open to community partnerships and sponsorships — secure your vendor spot today.
Food Resources
Volunteer With Us!
Why volunteer with EG SPEAKS? You could be part of a movement that stands for justice, inclusion, and empowerment. Whether you’re a parent, student, professional, or just someone who supports the right to a place for students to thrive, we’d love to welcome you aboard!
We are currently seeking the following positions:
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Support Group Facilitators
- Kids Group and Activity Leaders
Connect With Us
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