Neurodiverse Family Advocacy - NFA

03/14/2026

Do you have or have had a child in VWSD?
Did you struggle to get, or were denied, Section 504 approval for your child?

We want to hear about your experience. Message our inbox if you’re interested in sharing.

01/18/2026

🧠 Neurodiversity & The Social Model of Disability

🚫 Disability is not caused by a condition.

🏛️ It is caused when society fails to accommodate the needs of that condition.

⚖️ Society automatically meets the typical needs, but people with less typical needs get left out.

01/18/2026

🧠 Neurodiversity

📘 Useful Definitions

🔹 Neurodiverse – A group with both neurodivergent and neurotypical people

🔹 Neurotypical – Someone whose brain functions in the way expected by society

🔹 Neurodivergent – Someone whose brain performs differently than what society considers the norm

01/18/2026

🧠 What is Neurodiversity?

🌈 Neurodiversity is a natural part of human diversity: Brains work in different ways, and that’s okay.

✨ Typical is not better: People whose brains work in less common ways have unique strengths, not just challenges

🌍 Our environment affects our abilities – A “disability” might simply be a person in an environment that isn’t set up to accommodate them.

🏗️🌱 • We can design environments that allow everyone to flourish – Instead of creating environments that meet typical needs, we can meet all needs.

01/18/2026

🧠 Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways, with no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving,
and differences are not deficits.

🌍 Referring to someone as neurodiverse or neurodivergent is a way to focus on the positive aspects of their differences and what that can bring to the group setting.

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways, with no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not deficits. Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of a...

01/17/2026

A Vicksburg district employee speaks out on school choice and education policy changes. Discover their perspective in this revealing letter.

01/12/2026

📄 New Case Study Released: Section 504 Eligibility & Implementation

In this case study we are examining the systemic deficiencies in the eligibility and implementation of Section 504 within the Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD), Mississippi.

This case study is intended to be informational and educational. Here, we outline:
(1) what federal disability civil rights law requires under Section 504,
(2) how those requirements have been clarified by subsequent laws and federal guidance, and
(3) how Section 504 appears to be applied in practice within VWSD based on documented parent experiences and district processes.

The purpose of this publication is transparency, clarity in how Section 504 processes are understood and applied, and accountability for compliance with federal disability civil rights obligations.

Our focus remains on ensuring equal access to education and meaningful protection of students’ rights under federal law.

📌 Read the full case study here:
👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OAjfgLT_pFmPx4UyUHMhhkwnKoZIREyO/view?usp=share_link

This case study is also considered a living document and may be updated as additional information, records, or documentation become available.

01/03/2026

***Important Clarification About Section 504 Compliance***

This article from the Vicksburg Post regarding the special education teacher shortage in Vicksburg Warren School District highlights a serious and concerning misunderstanding of federal disability law.

Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act does NOT require special education teachers.

This is a fundamental point of law.

Section 504 is a civil rights law, not a special education program. Its purpose is to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to education for students with disabilities. Unlike IDEA (which governs IEPs and special education services), Section 504 does not require individualized instruction by specially trained special education teachers.

A school district cannot excuse Section 504 noncompliance by citing a shortage of special education staff.

Key distinctions that matter:
• IDEA/IEP requires special education teachers and provides additional federal funding.
• Section 504 requires reasonable accommodations and equal access, typically delivered by general education staff with appropriate supports.
• Section 504 applies broadly and independently of special education eligibility.

Equating Section 504 compliance with special education staffing is incorrect and reflects a lack of understanding of how these laws differ.

When district leadership frames Section 504 concerns as a special education staffing issue, it signals a deeper problem: a systemic lack of awareness of federal civil rights obligations.

This matters because misunderstanding Section 504 leads to:
• Improper denial or delay of accommodations
• Parents being misdirected into unnecessary special education pathways
• Students losing protections they are legally entitled to receive
• Civil rights violations going unrecognized and uncorrected

Section 504 compliance is not optional. It is not discretionary. And it is not contingent on special education teacher availability.

Families deserve accurate information. Students deserve equal access. And school districts are required to know and follow the law.

The Vicksburg Warren School District faces a worsening special ed teacher shortage as post-COVID student needs grow and parents question whether the district is meeting federal disability mandates.

01/02/2026

✨ Happy New Year from Neurodiverse Family Advocacy! ✨

As we welcome the new year, we’re excited to share our first resource of 2026:

📄 "The 411" on Section 504, a clear, plain-language fact sheet for parents.

This 3-page PDF document breaks down Section 504 in an accessible way so families can better understand their child’s rights and advocate with confidence.

We’re just getting started, and we’re grateful to have you here as we build this space together. 💛

🔗 Download the PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1stYmJqLDzCvgJaXorribKq34kY99EduD/view?usp=share_link

Here’s to a year of advocacy and stronger support for our kids and families.

NFA 💙

12/23/2025

Facebook Group Cover