who we serve

Unified Impact for the Community

By improving transparency , reducing duplication, and fostering trust, we create a more equitable and efficient special education process. IEPNotes helps level the playing field — especially for families with limited resources — ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive.

Expected outcomes

• How you can help the cause

Your records aren’t just paperwork—they’re proof, power, and progress

You show up every day—let’s build tools that do too

Data is power—especially when it speaks for those who can’t

Policy must be grounded in the people it protects

Tool Box

The Toolbox is a carefully reviewed and curated collection of tools, resources, and products that the National Fair Learning Initiative (NFLI) recommends to families navigating special education and daily life with children who have disabilities.Every item has been evaluated by NFLI based on its effectiveness in supporting learning, communication, advocacy, or organization — drawing on family feedback, educator insights, and hands-on experience.These are tools we believe truly make a difference for students and families.In the near future, when you purchase through the links in The Toolbox, a small portion of the sale supports NFLI’s ongoing advocacy, accessibility initiatives, and family resources — at no additional cost to you.Thank you for trusting us and for supporting inclusive learning for all.

NEW!!!!

• summer reading list for teachers

A curated list to help educators gain real insight into the disabilities they teach. These books offer lived experiences to support every learner with empathy, knowledge, and confidence.

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book shelf

Our Book Shelf features a carefully curated collection of books that support families navigating special education, disability rights, advocacy, learning strategies, and inclusive practices.Each title is handpicked based on its practical value, evidence-informed insights, and relevance to the real-world challenges faced by students, families, and educators. Whether you're looking for guidance on IEPs, behavior strategies, executive function, or inclusive education — these are the books we believe are worth your time.When you shop through our links, you’re not only investing in valuable resources but also supporting the National Fair Learning Initiative’s advocacy and accessibility efforts at no extra cost to you. It’s a meaningful way to shop for a cause and help us keep vital information and tools freely available to all.

Jump Right to:

• Law
• IEPs
• Autism
• ADHD
• Self Growth
• Dsylexia

• Wrights Law.....

What We Appreciate:✅ Wrightslaw breaks down complex laws into language parents can actually understand and use.✅ From writing effective letters to preparing for IEP meetings, they offer guidance that’s grounded in experience.✅ The free website content is excellent, and their books (like Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and From Emotions to Advocacy) are even better — deep dives into the details most schools hope you never learn.

• The complete iep guide.....

What We Appreciate:✅ This book walks you through the entire IEP process in plain language, from referral and evaluation to services, accommodations, and dispute resolution. It takes the mystery (and some of the fear) out of the process.✅ Having real examples of request letters, meeting notes, and complaint forms makes it easier to advocate effectively — and saves you time when you’re stressed.✅ The legal information is clear, straightforward, and focused on helping you understand your rights — not confusing you with jargon.✅ Beyond the law, this guide shares how to communicate with schools, negotiate services, and build positive relationships with your IEP team.✅ While you should always check for the latest state-specific rules, this book stays current on key federal laws like IDEA, making it a reliable reference.

• Your Special Education Rights.....

What We Appreciate:✅ This book doesn’t sugarcoat how the system works. It gives parents a clear, honest look at what they’re entitled to — and what schools often don’t tell you.✅ The authors share stories and situations that feel all too familiar, helping parents see how rights play out in everyday IEP meetings and school interactions.✅ It’s not just about knowing your rights — this book gives practical steps on how to assert them without burning bridges.✅ The authors, Jennifer Laviano (a special education attorney) and Julie Swanson (a special education advocate), bring both legal knowledge and lived advocacy experience to the table.

• IEP Crash Course.....

What We Appreciate:✅ This resource respects your time. It breaks down the IEP process into manageable, bite-sized lessons you can absorb fast —, like in less than a day, which is perfect for busy parents.✅ You get the key information you need to walk into an IEP meeting prepared, without feeling overwhelmed by legal jargon or complex explanations.✅ From understanding your role on the IEP team to knowing what questions to ask, this course focuses on actionable advice that helps you advocate effectively.✅ Speaks directly to parents, offering encouragement alongside information — helping you feel confident, not intimidated.✅ Ideal for First-Time IEP Parents — Whether you're new to special education or need a quick refresher, this course is a solid starting point.

• the intentional iep.....

What We Appreciate:✅ Offers guidance that actually works in the real world — not just textbook advice. Their strategies reflect what parents and advocates face in day-to-day IEP meetings.✅ Having access to sample IEP goals and wording suggestions makes it easier to draft meaningful, measurable goals for your child.✅ Grounded in a parent-centered approach that recognizes both the emotional and procedural sides of IEP advocacy.

• special education playbook.....

What We Appreciate:✅ The Playbook gives straightforward, practical advice you can actually use — not just theory, but steps that help you advocate effectively in meetings and conversations with schools.✅ It emphasizes building productive relationships with school teams while still standing firm on your child’s needs — a balance many resources miss.✅ Sample questions, conversation starters, and checklists help you prepare for IEP meetings and keep the focus on your child’s best interests.✅ Written by someone who understands the emotional toll of special education advocacy, this guide speaks with both authority and compassion.✅ The author shares lessons learned from actual advocacy situations, giving you insights that go beyond the basics.

• let them theory.....

What We Appreciate:✅ The Playbook gives straightforward, practical advice you can actually use — not just theory, but steps that help you advocate effectively in meetings and conversations with schools.✅ It emphasizes building productive relationships with school teams while still standing firm on your child’s needs — a balance many resources miss.✅ Sample questions, conversation starters, and checklists help you prepare for IEP meetings and keep the focus on your child’s best interests.✅ Written by someone who understands the emotional toll of special education advocacy, this guide speaks with both authority and compassion.✅ The author shares lessons learned from actual advocacy situations, giving you insights that go beyond the basics.

• the next conversation....

What Parents Will Appreciate✅ Teaches parents how to regulate their own emotions to better support their child during tough conversations.✅ Helps parents avoid power struggles and shift from conflict to connection, even in stressful moments.✅ The advice feels doable — not theoretical✅ Prioritizes listening, empathy, and staying curious, which are key to building lasting trust with school systems.

What Educators Will Appreciate
✅ Provides language and mindset shifts teachers can use when communicating with students, parents, or colleagues.✅ Helps educators learn how to stay grounded, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully in high-pressure situations - like with emotionally charged parents.✅ Offers tools for turning potential conflicts into collaborative problem-solving moments.✅ The core concepts work equally well in one-on-one student conversations or in team meetings and parent conferences.

• Autism Parenting Guide.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Explains what autism is (and isn’t) in plain language, helping parents move from fear to understanding.✅ Offers clear guidance on what to do after diagnosis — including tips for accessing services, communicating with schools, and supporting your child at home.✅ Encourages parents to see beyond challenges and recognize their child’s unique abilities, not just their diagnosis.✅ Tackles common worries like “Will my child make friends?” or “How do I advocate for their needs?” with empathy and clarity.✅ Designed to build confidence, giving new parents a sense of direction without flooding them with jargon or technical advice.

What Educators Who Need to Understand Autism Will Appreciate✅ Cuts through myths and misconceptions, giving educators a real understanding of how autism affects students in school.✅ Highlights key areas like communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and social interaction — the areas that most often impact the classroom.✅ Offers simple, effective ways to adapt teaching and build meaningful relationships with autistic students.✅ Encourages educators to move beyond compliance and truly support student success by focusing on abilities, not deficits.✅ Not Just Specialists — A great foundation for general education teachers, aides, and anyone working in inclusive settings.

• Turn Autism Around.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate
✅ This book gives overwhelmed parents a practical action plan for helping their child right now — whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.✅ Emphasizes simple, doable strategies parents can implement in daily routines to build communication, reduce challenging behaviors, and support learning.✅ The book breaks complex concepts into manageable steps, making early intervention feel realistic and achievable for families.✅ Offers balanced, evidence-based approaches to help with language development, social skills, and behavior — areas most parents worry about.✅ Sends a strong message that parents aren’t powerless — they are central to their child’s progress, and this book shows them how.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate
✅ Helps educators understand how they can partner with families and apply strategies that build skills both at home and in the classroom.✅ Gives educators a solid foundation for understanding effective early intervention practices without overwhelming technical language.✅ Reinforces the importance of working with parents, respecting their role, and supporting consistent approaches across settings.✅ Particularly useful for preschool teachers, early interventionists, and special educators working with young children showing signs of autism.

• Neurotribes......

What New Parents Will Appreciate
✅ Offers a powerful look at the history of autism, helping parents see their child’s place in a broader story of resilience, advocacy, and discovery.✅ Challenges outdated views of autism as a “problem to solve” and instead promotes acceptance, respect, and appreciation of neurodiversity.✅ Gives voice to autistic people and families, making parents feel seen, heard, and part of a community.✅ Encourages parents to rethink their assumptions and recognize the strengths, creativity, and potential of their autistic child.✅ While it doesn’t shy away from hard truths about the past, the book ultimately leaves parents more informed, thoughtful, and hopeful.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Helps educators understand the historical context of autism and why shifting to a neurodiversity perspective matters in schools today.✅ Encourages teachers to see autistic students as individuals with unique strengths — not as problems to be managed.✅ Offers stories and insights that push educators to rethink classroom culture, teaching strategies, and how they engage with families.✅ Ideal for educators wanting a deeper, more human understanding of autism beyond textbook definitions or stereotypes.

• Natigating Autism.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Offers parents a straightforward path through the early stages of an autism diagnosis, making what feels overwhelming much more manageable.✅ From understanding behaviors to accessing therapies and services, it gives actionable steps parents can take right away.✅ Helps parents learn how to support their child’s social and communication skills in ways that feel natural and effective.✅ Addresses the emotional ups and downs of parenting a child with autism with empathy and encouragement.✅ Equips parents with knowledge and confidence to work with schools, therapists, and doctors.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Breaks down what autism means for learning and classroom behavior in straightforward terms.✅ Offers practical tips to help educators create inclusive, supportive environments tailored to autistic learners’ needs.✅ Highlights the importance of partnering with families to support the whole child effectively.✅ Encourages educators to look beyond behaviors to understand underlying needs and strengths.✅ Valuable not just for teachers but for aides, counselors, and administrators working with autistic students.

• Uniquely Human....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅Iinvites parents to see autism not as a deficit but as a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world.✅ Emphasizes building authentic relationships with autistic children through empathy rather than trying to “fix” behaviors.✅ Offers guidance on interpreting and responding to autistic communication styles with respect and patience.✅ Helps parents shift from frustration to acceptance, empowering them to advocate for their child’s unique needs.✅ Makes complex ideas easy to grasp, offering encouragement without minimizing challenges.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Encourages educators to view autistic students as whole individuals with valuable perspectives.✅ Highlights the importance of connection and trust in supporting learning and behavior.✅ Moves beyond punishment or compliance-based strategies toward understanding underlying reasons for behavior.✅ Provides practical ideas to support autistic students with kindness and respect.✅ Great for teachers, therapists, and support staff wanting to create truly inclusive environments.

• Sincerely Your Autistic Child......

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ This book gives parents a heartfelt, first-person perspective straight from autistic adults, helping bridge understanding.✅ Challenges common myths and assumptions about autism, offering honest insights that can change how parents see their child.✅ Helps parents move from frustration or confusion to deeper empathy and respect for their child’s experiences and needs.✅ Provides real advice on how to better listen to and support your autistic child’s unique ways of expressing themselves.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Helps educators hear the lived experiences of autistic people, fostering greater empathy and awareness.✅ Encourages moving beyond deficit-focused teaching to respect individual differences and strengths.✅ Offers perspectives that can inform more responsive, student-centered approaches.✅ Reinforces the value of understanding students as whole people, not just their behaviors or diagnoses.✅ Valuable reading for teachers, aides, counselors, and administrators alike.

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• Orton Gillingham Reading Program

What We Know from the Research
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has reviewed studies on Orton-Gillingham-based interventions, and the findings are mixed but informative:✅ Structured literacy programs based on Orton-Gillingham principles show promise in improving phonics skills and foundational reading abilities, especially in small group or individualized settings.✅ While OG-based programs can strengthen decoding, there’s less consistent evidence that they significantly impact reading comprehension or fluency on their own.
✅ The success of Orton-Gillingham methods tends to rely on structured delivery by trained instructors, fidelity to the program, and pairing with other evidence-based reading strategies.✅ Even though WWC highlights a need for stronger large-scale studies, Orton-Gillingham remains widely recommended for dyslexia because of its structured, explicit, and multisensory approach — all hallmarks of effective intervention supported by reading science.

• Orton Gillingham Decodable Reader

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Explicit Phonics Reinforcement — These readers follow a structured sequence that mirrors how the brain learns to decode, giving dyslexic and delayed readers direct, repeated practice with sounds and patterns they can master.✅ Because the text only includes words built from previously taught phonics skills, readers aren’t forced to guess or rely on memorization — common pitfalls for struggling readers.✅ Early reading success helps build a positive association with reading. Decodable readers provide a safe, achievable challenge that supports self-esteem and motivation.✅ For readers who have missed key phonics instruction, these books offer a way to systematically rebuild those skills without overwhelming them with untaught concepts.✅ Supports Multi-Sensory Instruction — Often used alongside Orton-Gillingham methods, they integrate well with multi-sensory learning approaches proven to help students with dyslexia process language more effectively.

• Thriving with adhd.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Focuses on practical strategies that help children with ADHD harness their strengths rather than just manage their challenges.✅ Offers parents concrete, everyday tools for improving focus, organization, emotional regulation, and behavior at home.✅ Provides tips that can make routines, homework, and communication smoother for the whole family.✅ Includes exercises parents can use with their child to practice skills in a fun, manageable way.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Explains how ADHD affects executive functioning, attention, and behavior in ways teachers will recognize in the classroom.✅ Offers adaptable ideas for managing classroom behavior, supporting organization, and helping students succeed academically.✅ Shifts the narrative from “fixing” ADHD to fostering strengths, resilience, and student engagement.✅ Helps educators understand how to better collaborate with parents and caregivers.✅ Provides digestible information that’s helpful for teachers who want insight but don’t have time for dense research.

• adhd is awesome.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Shifts the focus from ADHD as a disorder to ADHD as a different — and often awesome — way of thinking and being.✅ Written by someone with ADHD who shares personal experiences✅ Affirms both the challenges and the unique strengths that come with ADHD, helping parents embrace a balanced perspective.✅ Provides language and ideas parents can use to talk openly with their children about ADHD in an empowering way.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Helps educators understand ADHD from the inside out, beyond clinical definitions and checklists.✅ Encourages teachers to see potential instead of just managing symptoms.✅ Makes key ADHD concepts easy to grasp, even for busy teachers or staff with little prior knowledge.

• The Explosive Child.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Helps parents move away from seeing their child as “bad” or “defiant” and toward understanding lagging skills and unmet needs.✅ Introduces the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, giving parents step-by-step ways to reduce meltdowns and power struggles.✅ Provides a structured way to address challenging behaviors by working with your child rather than imposing consequences that often don’t work.✅ Encourages a shift from reactive discipline to proactive collaboration, fostering healthier family relationships.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Challenges the idea of willful defiance and explains how lagging skills in flexibility, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving can drive challenging behavior.✅ Offers a respectful, effective approach for reducing classroom disruptions without punitive measures.✅ Encourages educators to engage students in meaningful conversations to understand and address the causes of behavior.✅ Although written for parents, the CPS model adapts well for teachers, counselors, and administrators working with behaviorally challenging students

• ADHD 2.0.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Shares realistic, research-informed tips parents can apply right away to help their children thrive at home, in school, and socially.✅ Breaks down complex brain science into understandable concepts, helping parents make sense of their child’s behavior.✅ Highlights the importance of relationships, connection, and structure in managing ADHD — not just medication or behavior plans.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Challenges deficit-focused thinking and reframes ADHD as a difference with both strengths and challenges.✅ Explains how brain wiring affects focus, motivation, and emotional control in ways teachers can see in the classroom.✅ Provides suggestions that educators can adapt for their students without needing complex programs or rigid interventions.✅ Reinforces the idea that strong relationships and positive reinforcement are key to student success.✅ Makes cutting-edge ADHD research accessible and actionable for teachers and support staff.

• taking charge of adhd.....

What New Parents Will Appreciate✅ Gives parents a clear, research-backed understanding of ADHD, its causes, and its effects on children’s behavior and development.✅ Straightforward, No-Nonsense Advice — Provides practical, actionable strategies
✅ Outlines step-by-step behavior plans rooted in decades of clinical research, giving parents tools they can actually use.✅ Demystifies ADHD and arms parents with knowledge to advocate effectively for their child at school and with professionals.✅ ACovers emotional regulation, family dynamics, and academic support, making it a well-rounded resource for home life.

What Educators Who Want to Support Early Learners Will Appreciate✅ Authoritative Insights from a Leading ADHD Expert — Provides educators with a thorough understanding of ADHD’s impact on learning, behavior, and classroom performance.✅ Reinforces strategies educators can apply to help students with ADHD succeed in structured environments.✅ Debunks common myths and explains why certain behaviors occur, helping educators respond with understanding rather than frustration.✅ Supports classroom management approaches backed by research, avoiding trendy but unproven tactics.✅ Helps teachers align their strategies with parents and clinicians, fostering a united approach to student support.

do your nails at home

No time for the salon? These press-ons give you perfect nails in minutes—zero dry time!

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Visual schedules

Visual schedules reduce anxiety by showing clear, easy-to-follow daily routines for kids with disabilities.

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learning aides

Every learner deserves tools that support their unique learning journey. This collection features reading and learning aids that enhance focus, comprehension, communication, organization, and accessibility.From visual organizers to adaptive reading tools and study supports, these resources address the needs of students with ADHD, dyslexia, executive function challenges, and more.Each item is carefully chosen for its real-world impact and quality. When you shop through our links, you help fund the National Fair Learning Initiative’s work to keep essential resources free and accessible.Shop with purpose. Support learning for all.

Jump Right to:

• reading
• writing
• math
• Executive Function

• Finger Focus

✅ Highlights one line at a time, helping readers track text more easily and reducing distractions.✅ Gives children a simple tool they can manage themselves, promoting self-reliance during reading.✅ Useful for early readers, students with ADHD, dyslexia, or those who struggle with visual tracking.✅ Complements other reading strategies like guided reading, fluency practice, and decoding support.

• reading guide

What We Appreciate✅ The highlighted window focuses attention on a single line of text, improving tracking and reducing skipping or rereading.✅ Reduces Visual Overload — By narrowing the field of view, it helps readers who feel overwhelmed by dense pages of text.✅ Supports beginning readers, students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other visual processing challenges.✅ Complements literacy instruction by helping readers move smoothly through text with better focus.

• C Pen

What We Appreciate✅ Allows users to scan printed text directly into digital devices for editing, storing, or reading aloud.✅ Great for students with dyslexia, ADHD, or reading disabilities who benefit from text-to-speech or digital access.✅ Compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones for flexibility in learning environments.✅ Helps students by reducing fatigue✅ Gives students tools to access and interact with print material in a way that suits their needs.

• pencil grip

What We Appreciate✅ Helps guide fingers into a natural grip, supporting better handwriting technique and reducing strain.✅ A useful tool for students with weak grip strength, poor pencil control, or motor coordination challenges.✅ Encourages a relaxed hold, making writing tasks more comfortable and sustainable over time.✅ Available in multiple shapes and firmness levels to accommodate different ages, hand sizes, and preferences.✅ Simple to use, low-cost, and easily added to writing instruction or therapy toolkits.

Sensory & Focus Tools

Sensory and focus tools are essential supports for learners who benefit from movement, calming input, and sensory regulation.This collection includes items like fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, wobble stools, and more — all selected to help students stay engaged, calm, and ready to learn.Each product is chosen for its effectiveness and practicality in real learning environments. When you shop through our links, you help the National Fair Learning Initiative provide free resources and advocacy to families and educators.Shop with purpose. Empower every learner.

Jump Right to:

• accessibility
• Sensory
• Executive Function

• Wobble Stool

What We Appreciate✅ Allows gentle rocking, tilting, and movement, helping students release excess energy without leaving their seat.✅ Ideal for students who benefit from movement breaks or active sitting to maintain attention.✅ Engages core muscles, promoting better posture and reducing slouching during seated tasks.✅ Versatile for Classrooms, Therapy, or Home Use✅ Helps meet sensory needs while supporting participation in academic activities.

• Headphones

What We Appreciate✅ Helps block out background sounds that can distract or overstimulate learners, especially in busy or noisy environments.✅ Creates a calmer sensory experience, making it easier for students to concentrate or self-regulate during stressful situations.✅ Especially helpful for students with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, or anxiety.✅ Effective at school, during travel, at home, or in public spaces like assemblies or cafeterias.

• Bouncy Band

What We Appreciate✅ Provides a safe, subtle way for students to release excess energy while seated by bouncing their feet.✅ Especially beneficial for kids with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing challenges who need sensory input to stay regulated.✅ Attaches simply around chair legs without damaging floors or furniture, making it classroom-friendly.✅ Helps reduce restlessness and improves concentration during lessons or homework.✅ A low-cost option that can be easily moved between chairs or classrooms.

Technology & Apps

Technology and apps can transform learning by providing personalized support, accessibility, and engagement for diverse learners.This collection features carefully selected tools—from text-to-speech apps to organizational and communication platforms—that empower students with learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, and executive function challenges.Each technology is chosen for its proven impact and user-friendliness. When you shop or subscribe through our links, you support the National Fair Learning Initiative’s mission to keep vital resources and advocacy free for all families and educators.Shop with purpose. Support inclusive learning.

• Audible

What We Appreciate✅ A valuable tool for students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other reading challenges who benefit from listening rather than reading print. A✅ Audiobooks can reinforce language skills, especially when paired with print for multisensory learning.✅ Adjustable playback speed and bookmarking help tailor the experience to individual needs.✅ Offers credits, discounts, and exclusive content for subscribers, making it cost-effective for frequent users.

1. Composition Books
2. Folders
3. Binders
4. Pencils
5. Wide Ruled Paper
6. Crayons
7. Pens
8. Highlighters
9. Glue sticks

1. Composition Books
2. Folders
3. [Binders]
4. Pencil cases
5. Crayons
6. Pens
7. Highlighters
8. Glue sticks