Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast with Lisa Lightner! In today’s episode, Lisa dives into the importance of contacting your representatives—even if you sometimes feel like your voice won’t make a difference. Drawing from her own advocacy experiences and conversations with legislators, Lisa explains why it’s crucial for constituents to reach out, share their stories, and hold elected officials accountable, even in districts where the odds seem stacked against you.

She also shares actionable tips on how to increase the impact of your outreach—whether through heartfelt phone calls, original emails, or handwritten letters—and encourages persistence and creativity when engaging with policymakers. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey, Lisa’s insights will help empower you to make your voice heard for the special education community. Be sure to visit dontiepalone.com and adayinarshoes.com for more resources.

Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate

Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!

Support the show

📣Preorder my book 📣

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

From Phone Calls to Handwritten Letters: Tips to Make Legislators Listen on Issues