Lunch & Learn: Become a "Radvocate"

Become a "Radvocate!" A Radvocate articulates the reasons for their requests through solid, legally-supportable, fact-based rationale to support their position. Radvocates bring concrete solutions that are practical, appropriate, collaborative, and creative. Finally, radvocates know how to use the legal remedies prescribed by IDEA, if that step becomes necessary. Radvocates always follow the number one rule of advocacy: Prepare for litigation so you won't have to litigate. (Thanks to Pete Wright for that mantra!)

Janel Frost is Executive Director and ASTra Coordinator for Michigan Hands & Voices. She's mom to four children. Her third is "Deafplus," meaning deaf plus other conditions. Janel has 13 years of experience with Hands & Voices, and 23 years in Human Services/Child Development. Tabby Belhorn is the Executive Director and ASTra Coordinator of Ohio Hands & Voices. She has three children, the oldest of whom is deaf and graduating high school! She is also an ASTra Trainer for Hands & Voices Headquarters and has been a passionate advocate for over 15 years.