Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year! Our team is so excited to welcome our students and families back to school! We appreciate the opportunity to partner with you in supporting your child’s education. As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed and engaged, we want to share the following important information:

If you have any questions or need support, we encourage you to reach out to your campus case manager or principal. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to a successful school year.

Join us for an interactive session designed to help you confidently navigate the special education landscape in our district and across Texas. We will walk you through the essential parent tools and guides on the SPEDTex website—focusing on the Parent's Guide to the ARD Process—and take a guided tour of the Austin ISD Special Education website so you know exactly where to find local resources. We will also provide a comprehensive overview of the specialized services and inclusion programs offered right here in Austin ISD, making this the perfect primer for families new to the district or those looking for a helpful refresher. RSVP: tinyurl.com/33u78ec7

12pm on Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions 

Learn about Child Find, the process that ensures all children who may need special education services are identified and evaluated. This session will help you understand your rights, the school’s responsibilities, and how to get the help your child needs. Open to all families and caregivers of students.   RSVP: tinyurl.com/33u78ec7

12pm on Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions 

Join us for a practical workshop breaking down the Texas Parent’s Guide to the ARD Process. Learn how special education works—from initial evaluations to crafting an IEP—understand your legal rights, and build effective strategies to partner with your school. Open to all families and caregivers of students with disabilities. RSVP: tinyurl.com/33u78ec7

12pm on Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions 

Join Austin ISD’s Special Education Department and Partners Resource Network for the 3rd Annual Transition Fair and Navigating Special Education Conference! At the Transition Fair, families can explore resources on employment, education and training, independent living, and recreation and leisure while connecting with local agencies and Austin ISD support services. Additionally, Partners Resource Network will present conference sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. covering IEPs, parent rights, advocacy, behavior supports, and community resources. Conference RSVP and RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/2m995s6c

Conference Sessions: 8:30- 12:30 PM   Transition Fair: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bowie High School 4103 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749

This session is created to help families and school partners better understand the Texas Dyslexia Handbook. Together, we’ll walk through important sections of the handbook in an easy-to-follow way, so parents and caregivers can feel more confident about the state guidelines and supports available for children with dyslexia and related learning differences. RSVP: tinyurl.com/33u78ec7

12pm on Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions 

September is Deaf Awareness Month—a time to promote inclusion, celebrate Deaf culture, and support our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community. Here are simple and meaningful ways families can get involved:

Every student can become a confident reader with the right support! Austin ISD provides specialized services for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges to help unlock their full potential.

As we begin the year, we’d like to share some helpful information on supporting this transition. By establishing consistent routines, partnering with your child's school, supporting your child’s emotional well-being, and celebrating your student's unique strengths, you can help build the confidence and skills needed for a positive and successful year ahead. 

Proactive preparation and strong communication make all the difference! Here are clear, practical strategies to help set your student up for a confident and successful school year:

Empower your advocacy journey this year with VELA’s Fall 2026 courses, now open for registration! These free programs cover essential topics like Autism, Special Education, Caregiver Wellness, and Transition to Adulthood, and are primarily offered virtually for your convenience (with limited in-person options in Austin). Beyond coursework, VELA provides monthly support groups and individualized assistance for navigating insurance, therapies, and school services.  

Partners Resource Network (PRN) Special Education Advocacy Navigating special education processes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Partners Resource Network (PRN) operates Texas’s federally funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers, offering free individual guidance, workshops, and resources for families of children with disabilities ages 0–26. PRN’s staff—many of whom are parents of children with disabilities themselves—can assist you with IEP preparation, understanding special education rights, and communicating effectively with your child's school district. Explore their upcoming Webinars & Workshops or connect directly with a local specialist via PRN's Contact Page (or call 1-800-866-4726 / email info@prntexas.org). 

Any Baby Can Family & Child Support Raising a child with special medical, physical, or developmental needs comes with unique joys and challenges. Any Baby Can is an Austin-based non-profit providing free and low-cost in-home services, case management, and family support across Central Texas. Through programs like Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) therapies (speech, physical, and occupational) and CARE (Comprehensive Advocacy and Resources for Empowerment), they partner with parents to meet key developmental milestones, build family stability, and navigate medical or educational crises. Families can explore their full list of Programs & Services or submit a quick Request Services Form online to get connected with a specialist (or call 512-454-3743 / email info@anybabycan.org).