New Year, New Advocacy: January’s Awareness Dates

Ah, that feeling when the calendar flips to January 1st. It’s a mix of “I can do anything!” and “Wait, I have to do everything?” 

Fair enough.

The new year brings a fresh slate, but for parents, educators, and advocates in our special education space, it also brings the continuation of ongoing battles and triumphs. 

In January, we’re all hyperfocused on things like new gym memberships and organizing the pantry. And while those tasks might be an important, inevitable part of the “new year, new me” plight, January is also a great time to reset your focus on advocacy and look at your calendar with fresh eyes.  

This month is packed with opportunities to raise your voice, educate your community, and support the unique needs of children. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at IEP meetings or just starting to navigate the 504 process, engaging with these awareness dates can give you specific, actionable ways to make a difference right now. 

January Awareness: What’s on the Calendar?

These awareness days give you a reason to start a conversation with a teacher, share resources with a fellow parent, or simply reflect on your child’s progress. 

Health and Wellness

• National Birth Defects Month (All Month): About 1 in 33 babies (that’s roughly 3%) in the United States is born with a birth defect, and these conditions are the leading cause of infant deaths, contributing to around 20% of all infant deaths, according to the CDC. Birth defects include a range of conditions like anencephaly, spina bifida, cleft lip or palate, Down syndrome, microcephaly, muscular dystrophy, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome, among others. If your child or someone you know is living with one of these conditions, January is the perfect time to check in on available supports at school. Make sure their IEP reflects their needs, ask about any new research, and talk to other parents sharing a similar journey. 
• Thyroid Awareness Month (All Month): Thyroid issues can sometimes overlap with developmental delays or behavioral changes in children. If your child has fatigue or focus issues that don’t seem to fit their current diagnosis, this is a good time to talk to your pediatrician. If something feels off physically, trust your gut and ask the questions.
• World Braille Day (January 4): This international day, sponsored by the United Nations to honor the birthday of Louis Braille (creator of the braille writing system), is all about celebrating literacy, accessibility, and the right to communication for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Louis Braille was only three when he became blind and just fifteen when he developed the braille system. Thanks to his contribution, millions across the globe can read, write, and communicate. Start by asking your team how materials are made accessible to students who might need them. Share Louis Braille’s story with your child’s class or bring up the importance of accessible materials at your next IEP or school meeting. 

Education and Mentorship

• National Mentoring Month (All Month): Mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Research shows that young adults who were at-risk for falling off track but had a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college. Peer mentorship programs can be incredibly beneficial for social skills and inclusion. Ask your school if they have a “buddy” program or peer mentorship opportunities. If they don’t, this is your chance to propose one! You could say, “I’ve been reading about National Mentoring Month, and I’d love to see something like that for our kids. How can we start a peer buddy system here?”
• International Day of Education (January 24): This is a global observance proclaimed by the United Nations, and it celebrates the role of education for peace and development. Use this date to review your child’s educational goals. Are they ambitious enough? Is the “Appropriate” in FAPE actually appropriate, or is it just “good enough”? You can use this day to write a thank-you note to a teacher who is getting it right, or to draft that letter requesting an IEP review if things have stalled.

Creativity and Self-Expression

• National Hobby Month (All Month): Hobbies are often where our neurodivergent kids shine the brightest. Maybe your child is obsessed with trains, LEGOs, drawing, or coding. These “special interests” are often the key to unlocking their engagement in school. Share your child’s hobby with their team! If your child loves dinosaurs, ask the team, “How can we incorporate dinosaurs into their reading comprehension goals?” When you connect their passion to their learning, you often see a spike in progress. Use National Hobby Month to remind the school that your child is a whole person with cool interests, not just a set of deficits to be fixed.
• Kid Inventors’ Day (January 17): This day celebrates the ingenuity of children (it’s Benjamin Franklin’s birthday, who was a kid inventor himself!). Many children with unique needs are incredible problem solvers because they have to manage a world not built for them. Encourage your child to build, create, or solve a problem today. Take a picture of their creation and send it to the school team with a note: “Look at this creative problem solving! Let’s harness this kind of thinking in their math goals.”

Turning January Awareness into Real-World Advocacy

You’ve got a calendar bursting with important dates—now let’s put them to work for your advocacy efforts. Your goal here shouldn’t be to check every single box, but to choose what matters most to your family and then take small, heartfelt actions that really move the needle.

Choose the dates and causes closest to your heart. Pick one conversation, one email, or one change you want to see. Action adds up, and over time, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you (and your child) can spark just by showing up and caring.

Need help breaking the ice? Here’s some sample language for emails or meetings:

• “This month is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. I’d love to better understand how our school supports students with medical complexities. What resources are available?”
• “For International Day of Acceptance, could our class learn about self-advocacy and how to value our different abilities?”

Don’t forget to share small celebrations, too. If you notice your school or a teacher making progress, maybe by integrating accessible materials or honoring diversity, give some positive feedback. It sets a tone of partnership and charges up everyone’s energy for more change.

Remember, advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint, and January is just the first mile marker of the year. Use these awareness dates to anchor your advocacy in broader conversations, which will make your requests feel timely and relevant rather than demanding. You’re building a community of support around your child, one conversation at a time.

You’re not doing this alone. We’re right here with you, cheering you on and handing you the tools you need. Whether you need a strategic plan or just someone to tell you “you’re doing a great job,” reach out. 

Let’s make this January the start of your most empowered year yet.