Biography

"Disability Deception: Lies Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game"
by JoAnn Collins

Biography

Disability Deception has been out since September 2007! It has been an awesome 2 and 1/2 years; lots of opportunities to spread the truth about special education, and help parents overcome lies and deceptions of some special education personnel!

Below are a few opportunities that I have had this year:

1. I spoke at a parent empowerment conference in Virginia Beach Virginia September 2007. My presentation was entitled "Letter Writing for Success!" I also participated in a panel with other participants, and we discussed recent Supreme Court Rulings related to Special Education that would affect parents. I had the opportunity to meet Sandy Winkelman, who had her case heard in the US Supreme Court. The case Winkelman vs. Parma (Parma Ohio), was to decide if parents could represent themselves in court hearings without an attorney. The Winkelmans won, and now parents may represent themselves in court IDEA cases.

2. I Spoke at a parent conference in Plainfield Illinois entitled "Advocacy Strategies!"

3. I presented for a group of parents in Illinois from the organization Mothers on a mission. The presentation was entitled "Conflict Resolution: Special Education Style!" The conference was well attended, and parents state they learned a lot of new information to help them advocate for their child.

4. Disability Deception was reviewed by my local newspaper The Daily Journal. The Editor's name is Phil Angelo and he stated that "Disability Deception may be the most practical guide ever compiled for parents whose child needs special education services!"
Thanks Phil! More of the review is on the home page of this Web site.

5. I was asked to post some information about the book and state complaints on a blog, which I did. The blog can be seen at: http://advocate4kids.org/;blog/?p=38&preview=true

6. I was nominated by a college friend for Olivets Most Interesting Person Award (I am an alumni of Olivet Nazarene University). I was among the top 10 finalists. And as part of this nomination, I gave an interview for their radio station and alumni newsletter!

7. A group named SNAFU (Special Needs Advocates for Understanding) from California has put me on their "Parent's Guide to Autism." Disability Deception is recommended as a resource. Thank you SNAFU!

8. Disability Deception was mentioned by Greg Wiatt in an add for his new educational advocacy business! The add was run in the Autism Advocate Magazine! Thank you Greg!
Gregs Web site is: www.autismnews.com

9. I was interviewed by Stan Goldman from Sr. Dad. The interview was entitled "Do school districts lie to parents of extra needs children?" I enjoyed the interview, and have received a lot of positive feedback from the interview. You can find the interview at:
http://srdad.com/SrDad/Autism/Autism.html Thank you Stan!

10. I was interviewed by Michael Schaugnessy from www.ednews.com. The interview can be found at the above address. Thank you Michael!

11. Because many parents have contacted me about discipline issues I have developed an E book entitled: Behavioral Basics; What Every Parent Needs to Know to Improve Their Child's School Behavior. More information on the E book is on the E book page of this Web site.

JoAnn Collins is the mother of three adults Angelina, Courtney, and Shaun. Two of her children have disabilities, Angelina and Shaun. She lives in Bradley Ill. with her three children. JoAnn has been an educational advocate helping parents navigate the special education system for over 15 years. In that capacity she has attended hundreds of IEP meetings with parents and also advocated at several due process hearings. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais Ill.She is a past employee of Options Center of Independent Living where she worked as the Youth Service Coordinator, and Educational Advocate. As an educational and disability advocate JoAnn has been on several statewide disability advisory councils, one was with the Illinois State Board of Education. She also has experience presenting at conferences to parents of children with disabilities.

All children with disabilities deserve to receive the special education services that they need to lead a fulfilled successful life!! Disability Deception will help parents learn how to successfully advocate for services their children need to thrive and live a full life!

JoAnn is available to present at conferences for a minimal fee! Please contact her using the contact information on the home page!

Help the parents in your group learn how to be assertively persistent, while advocating for an appropriate education for their children!

JoAnn can speak on any special education subject that your group is interested in!

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Contact Information: JoAnn Collins
PO Box 89 Bradley Il. 60915
E mail: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com