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Community Involvement: What Supports Are Available for Diverse Families of Students with Disabilities?

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Abstract

Research has suggested that the level of parent engagement has a positive correlation with student achievement. Parent engagement in special education is even more crucial. However, due to linguistic differences among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families and schools, cultural challenges, and a lack of understanding of the American special education system and parental rights, many CLD families may have difficulties advocating for their children. Currently, many schools in the United States are facing a shortage of funding and bilingual professionals. As a result, they are unable to provide training and support for CLD parents of children with disabilities in meeting their children’s needs. Parents have to seek support elsewhere, their community. This chapter will provide an overview of the types of community support that are available for diverse families of students with disabilities in the United States and challenges these communities may encounter. Therefore, family, school, and community partnership becomes critical.

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Correspondence to Lusa Lo .

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Lo, L. (2019). Community Involvement: What Supports Are Available for Diverse Families of Students with Disabilities?. In: Lo, L., Xu, Y. (eds) Family, School, and Community Partnerships for Students with Disabilities. Advancing Inclusive and Special Education in the Asia-Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6307-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6307-8_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-6306-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-6307-8

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