Volunteer Advocate - Special Education & Disability Support

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Hybrid Available in Orange County and Imperial County, California | Flexible Hours

Community Based - In-person would be for meeting with clients or events

About Futures Unwalled

Futures Unwalled is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering parents of children with disabilities by providing advocacy support, resources, and guidance in navigating the special education system. We aim to reduce the isolation many parents feel and equip them with the tools to confidently advocate for their child’s full potential.

Volunteer Role:

We are looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to support families navigating IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), 504 Plans, and disability rights advocacy. Volunteers will provide guidance, emotional support, and educational resources to parents to help them better understand their child’s rights and available services.

Responsibilities:

* Assist parents in understanding and advocating for their child’s IEP or 504 Plan.

* Attend virtual IEP meetings (if requested) to provide emotional and advocacy support.

* Help families navigate school accommodations, behavioral supports, and special education services.

* Research and share resources related to special education laws and disability rights.

* Collaborate with our team to provide workshops and informational sessions for parents.

Qualifications:

Experience or interest in special education, advocacy, social work, disability rights, or related fields.

We will train you.

Great skills that will help in volunteering with us:

* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

* Ability to empathize with and support parents facing challenges in the school system.

* Familiarity with IEP/504 processes (preferred but not required-training provided).

* Bilingual speakers are highly encouraged to apply! Many of the families we support speak languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin, and ASL.

* Commitment to confidentiality and ethical advocacy.

Time Commitment

• Flexible! Volunteers can contribute based on their availability.
• Ideally, 5-10 hours per week, depending on involvement.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in special education advocacy & disability rights.
• The opportunity to make a direct impact on families and children with disabilities.
• Training and mentorship in IEP/504 advocacy (if needed).
• A supportive and collaborative volunteer community.

If you are passionate about supporting families and making education more inclusive, we’d love to hear from you!

Ashley Mehr

Executive Director

Futures Unwalled