Parent Empowerment: Respecting Their Voices

Parents are pivotal in the education of their child. This is particularly true if the child has a disability. All agree to the importance of parent participation within the school setting. However, educators and parents continue to struggle with the creation of relationships that endure over time and result in reciprocal and respectful collaborations. There is an emerging literature base that discusses the focus on parental empowerment both outside and inside of the school setting. As special educators work with parents who have a child with a disability, it is important that empowerment moves beyond the theoretical and into direct application.