As we get closer to the end of school and warm weather, we want to help you with ideas to support your child over the summer. Summer looks different for all families, so our team has pulled together the following resources to meet a variety of needs.
Summer Camps can provide a wonderful opportunity for all kids to take part in exciting social experiences over the summer. There are many great camps designed especially for kids with special needs. The Family Engagement team has gathered a list of several from around the state of Tennessee. You can find those here.
In addition to camps for children with special needs, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all summer camps must provide reasonable accommodations to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in camp programs, unless the camp can demonstrate that the necessary changes would fundamentally alter the nature of the services and activities offered by the camp. If you have questions about what “reasonable accommodations” are, our team would be happy to help you.
Summer camp can be an awesome experience for kids. But figuring out which camp is best for your child can be overwhelming. If you are not sure where to start when picking the right camp for your child, here are several questions that may be helpful.
Travel can be a challenge in the best of circumstances. Travelling with children, especially children with special needs, can present an additional layer of stress. The keys to a successful trip are preparation and planning!
Here are some tried and true tips from families who have done it and lived to tell the tale.
Learning Loss Over the Summer can be a concern for many parents. The state of TN has created summer learning opportunities to help address the learning loss that can occur when students are out of school. This blog post from our team shares information about the opportunities available so you can consider which of these, if any, might be the best fit for your child this summer.
Whatever summer has in store for you and your family, the Family Engagement team is here to help you stay informed about your options.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Family Engagement in Special Education, please reach out at specialeducation@thearctn.org.
Family Engagement in Special Education is a collaborative project of The Arc Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Education. We help to empower parents and caregivers and increase family engagement in special education.