COPAA's Denise Marshall on Disability Rights

David engages with Denise Marshall, Executive Director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), to discuss the essential work of protecting and advancing the rights of students with disabilities. Denise shares her journey from working on behavior support at the Kennedy Krieger Institute to her leadership role at COPAA, which champions equal educational opportunities for all students. The conversation explores the challenges of advocating for disability rights in the current political climate, the importance of inclusion, the need for bipartisan support, and the critical role of organizations like COPAA in providing advocacy and support for families. The episode also delves into the controversies surrounding communication methods for non-speaking students and the systemic bias they face. Finally, Denise emphasizes the importance of continued activism and collective voice in securing and defending the rights and dignity of students with disabilities.   Visit https://www.copaa.org/   Topics 01:07 Guest Introduction: Denise Marshall 02:02 Denise's Journey in Disability Rights Advocacy 07:53 The Mission and Impact of COPA 11:51 Challenges and Advocacy in Special Education 18:41 Concerns About Eroding Protections 31:03 Debating the Evidence Base for Spelling Communication 31:32 Advocacy Efforts and Challenges with ASHA 32:24 The Importance of Communication Rights 34:40 State Legislation and Communication Rights 38:23 Collaboration and Advocacy Strategies 40:10 Fact or Fiction: Disability Rights and Partisanship 42:02 Tip of the Week: Advocacy and Communication 46:01 COPAA's Agenda and Future Goals 51:54 Concluding Thoughts on Advocacy and Inclusion