Partners in Education Advocacy (PEA Pod)

"Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. (ODLC) is the federally funded protection and advocacy system for Oklahomans with disabilities.  Over 90,000 students in Oklahoma are eligible for special education services.

ODLC designed and implemented a training program known as ""Partners in Education Advocacy."" Graduates are often called ""PEA Pods,"" because they return to their urban and rural communities to provide assistance to parents and students.

The training program for lay advocates was initiated by ODLC in 2001.  Participants are required to complete at least 130 hours of coursework over a period of eight months.  Some graduates have completed an internship with an experienced special education attorney for one year. The course includes ethics, a variety of state and federal statutes, testing and evaluation, assistive technology, cultural competence, and other educational subjects."

TDD: 800-880-7755