Note from the editor: Today's blog features a keynote address given by PEAK Parent Center's Executive Director, Barbara Buswell, at the 1991 TASH Conference in Washington D.C. It has been edited to fit parameters for the PEAK Parent Center Blog. While it is nearly 30 years old, it still holds relevance today. We, at PEAK, continue to push for inclusion in all aspects of life. As you make plans for spring break, or schedule summer vacations, or ride the riverRead more

Now that the flurry of conference mania has settled at PEAK Parent Center, life has returned to normal. We continue our daily work of ensuring inclusion in our Colorado communities and beyond. The parent advisor line is ringing as we prepare for the spring IEP season to commence. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on the 2019 Conference on Inclusive Education. What are some of your favorite takeaways? How will you implement the tools you took home? What movedRead more

How many of you have been on a trip where you've packed an empty bag inside your suitcase to bring home all the goodies, treasures, and keepsakes to remember your travels? Those of you who will attend the 2019 Conference on Inclusive Education will bring a lot of keepsakes home with you. These will be in the form of renewed perspectives, fresh ideas, an expanded toolkit, new resources, and a broader circle of friendship and community! You'll need to bringRead more

These last few weeks of December have given us time for brief pause and reflection at PEAK Parent Center. Looking back, another year of blessings has been laid on our path; our grants from the U.S. Department of Education were renewed, the newly formed Region D of the Parent Technical Assistance Center Project has expanded our work in assisting other Parent Centers, and we've helped over 2,000 Colorado families. Looking forward, a new year of continuing this important work isRead more

Parents of children with disabilities try to provide the best possible help for their children that they can - often with little to no resources. PEAK Parent Center provides help through information, classes, support hotlines, and events to families each and every day to families throughout Colorado. Navigating medical, educational, and daily living support systems can be a daunting task for many families. PEAK Parent Center is a nonprofit that works every day to ensure that all children with disabilitiesRead more

At PEAK we are honored to work with families and youth that call us, come through our doors, or meet at workshops and conferences. PEAK is touched by the success that families who work with us create for themselves after gaining the tools needed to successfully navigate systems and situations. We are driven by the work we do because of the results that families report to us. Read about one family’s experience: “Before Parker was born, I dreamed of theRead more

Here at PEAK there is never a dull moment. Our office is aflutter with the ring of the parent advisor line, the shuffling of office meetings, arrangements being made for the upcoming Conference on Inclusive Education, brochures to print, copies to be sent. But as the crisp fall air settles in around us in preparation for winter, we took some time to reflect on what makes us whole, what replenishes our cup so that we can continue this important workRead more

Today we offer a blog post from the unique perspective of our guest contributor, Mohammad Alhefzi, a local youth with a disability who also acknowledges his cultural diversity. Hello, my name is Mohammad but I prefer to call myself Hamoudi, and I am 10 years old. I am a happy boy who enjoys playing with other kids and I love water activities. I love music and dancing. I am a handsome boy with pretty thick, hair and I have tonsRead more

Each February PEAK Parent Center holds its annual Conference on Inclusive Education in Denver. Chances are that if you’re reading this you’ve been there, or have at least heard about it. You know the excitement, the emotional charge, and the camaraderie that occurs. You also know the sense of community that encapsulates this conference and all that PEAK does. Community is what drives PEAK! Today we address our conference sponsors -a very important part of the PEAK community. This eventRead more