August: Inclusive Education Advocacy Month & More
What Are We Celebrating in California Schools This August?
August marks the start of a new school year in California, and with it comes a series of awareness campaigns that directly impact student health, safety, and inclusion. These observances are especially relevant for families navigating special education, IEPs, and 504 Plans. They offer schools, advocates, and communities opportunities to highlight equity, accessibility, and wellness in education.
Here’s what we’re recognizing this month:
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month
- International Assistance Dog Week (first full week of August)
- National Purple Heart Day (August 7)
- International Youth Day (August 12)
- National Senior Citizens Day (August 21)
August Awareness Observances in California
National Immunization Awareness Month
Vaccinations are essential for keeping California classrooms safe—especially for students who are medically fragile or immunocompromised. Promoting immunization education reduces illness-related absences and protects access to special education services outlined in IEPs and 504 Plans.
Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month
Vision plays a critical role in learning. Early screenings help detect conditions that can affect reading, writing, and focus. For California students with visual impairments, awareness leads to better accommodations, such as enlarged print materials, assistive technology, or modified seating arrangements.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month
SMA is a rare neuromuscular disorder that may require specialized supports in school, including adaptive equipment, physical therapy, and accessible transportation. Awareness fosters collaboration between special education teams and healthcare providers to meet these needs.
International Assistance Dog Week
Service animals provide vital assistance for individuals with disabilities—enhancing independence and safety. Recognizing their role helps California schools create inclusive environments where service dogs are welcomed and understood by both staff and students.
National Purple Heart Day (August 7)
Honors U.S. service members injured in combat, many of whom are parents, guardians, or educators in our communities. Understanding service-connected disabilities fosters empathy and strengthens school–community partnerships.
International Youth Day (August 12)
Celebrates the leadership and potential of young people, including students with disabilities. It’s an opportunity for California schools to promote self-advocacy and leadership skills among all learners.
National Senior Citizens Day (August 21)
Acknowledges the contributions of older adults, many of whom serve as caregivers, volunteers, or mentors for California students. Their involvement helps build strong intergenerational support systems in education.
August Terms: California Special Education
Special Education
Services and supports that meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, provided under California and federal law at no cost to families.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A legal document that lists a student’s learning goals, services, accommodations, and how progress will be measured.
504 Plan
A plan that provides accommodations so students with disabilities can access the same learning as their peers.
Accommodation
A change in how a student learns—like extra time, seating changes, or large print—without changing the lesson content.
Inclusion
Educating students with disabilities alongside their peers in general education classrooms with the right supports in place.
SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area)
A regional network in California that coordinates special education services across multiple school districts.
Assistive Technology
Tools or devices—like speech-to-text software or AAC devices—that help students with disabilities fully participate in learning.
Why Awareness Celebrations Matter for Special Education in California
For students in California’s special education programs, awareness observances are more than calendar events—they are opportunities to strengthen the systems and relationships that make education accessible.
- Health-focused observances like National Immunization Awareness Month and Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month ensure medical needs are addressed, reducing barriers to learning.
- Disability-specific campaigns such as SMA Awareness Month and International Assistance Dog Week bring attention to accommodations, accessibility, and the rights of students with disabilities under IDEA and California Education Code.
- Community and respect observances like National Purple Heart Day, International Youth Day, and National Senior Citizens Day highlight the roles families, mentors, and advocates play in supporting students with unique learning needs.
When schools participate in these observances, they send a clear message: every student matters, and every family is part of the educational community.
At Advocate to Educate, we help families turn awareness into action. These observances are natural opportunities to review IEPs or 504 Plans, request adjustments, and ensure that student rights are protected from the first day of school. Our mission is to make sure that awareness campaigns don’t just raise visibility—they create tangible improvements in services, supports, and outcomes for every child.
