SPIN - Special Parent Information Network

04/27/2026

Hey Kauai - Mark your calendars for the Kauai Footsteps to Transition Fair happening October 21st! SPIN will be there too!

04/27/2026

Sometimes scrolling through FB can be depressing. Then you find someone like this, who make your whole day and week. Enjoy his special message!

04/17/2026

SEAC - the Special Education Advisory Council (www.seac-hawaii.org) had an idea for a video and enlisted the artistic talents of Roger Wood and the technical talents of Spencer Luther to create a short video highlighting the difference between a Position and an Interest, to help families and schools come to an agreement on topics that may otherwise cause conflict. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJIHrKB4ugY They have also developed some helpful infographics you can check out here: https://seac-hawaii.org/infographics/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/15/2026

🧡 Kauai Autism Family Dining Night 🧡

Be the Voice on Kauai excited to invite our Autism community to a special evening of connection, good food, and togetherness.

📍 Kalaheo Brick Oven Pizza
📅 Tuesday, April 28, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

✨ Families can (at their own expense):
• Order off the menu
• Build your own pizza kits – $14 + tax
Includes:
• White dough
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
(Choose 2 toppings from a 4-topping selection)
•Pepperoni
•Mushrooms
•Olives
•Homemade Italian Sausage

💛 This is a closed event, created exclusively for our Autism community.

📲 Please RSVP by Friday, April 24, 2026, by 8:00 PM
📞 (808) 346-2481
📧 Bethevoiceautismkauai@outlook.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2371740533057729/about

Let’s bring awareness to Autism and create a space where our families feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

We look forward to seeing you there!

04/09/2026

SPIN has received a special offer to share with our network: $2 off General Admission from any film at the HIFF Ōpio Fest. Use this code when purchasing your tickets online: Opio2

One of the featured films at HIFF Ōpio Fest will be the award winning, UK-box office hit film "I SWEAR".

I SWEAR (UK, 2025)
Directed by Kirk Jones
Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at 15, John Davidson (Robert Aramayo who won BAFTA Awards for Best Actor for this performance) navigates his way against the odds through troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose in life.
APRIL 19, 7:00pm — Consolidated Kahala: https://hiff.org/events/iswear/
The Hawai'i International Film Festival's upcoming 3rd annual HIFF Ōpio Fest presented by Halekulani, scheduled for April 17-19 at Consolidated Theatres Kahala — is a vibrant celebration of the future of film. Spotlighting Hawai‘i’s student creatives alongside special industry guests, family-friendly premieres, and all-ages panels, the festival sparks dynamic conversations about the next generation of storytelling, filmmakers, culture, and community connection. It is also an opportunity to screen the latest in international cinema of critically acclaimed films straight from the film festival circuit (i.e. Sundance, Cannes, and other major fests).

Highlights include a special presentation of the Oscar winning K-POP DEMON HUNTERS with special guests from the film to open the Festival on April 17! For the full lineup, click here: https://hiff.org/opio-fest-2026/

04/08/2026

Please join LDAH - Leadership in Disabilities and Achievement Hawaii - for our Learning Labs. Building Leaders in Parents creates a community of voices. Be part of the solution for your child receiving specially designed instruction under IDEA

April 22, 2026 IDEA/Chapter 60: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and Hawaii’s Rules & Regulations affecting a free appropriate public education for students who are eligible. It’s a Foundation. When families understand the law, they can confidently advocate, collaborate with schools and gain knowledge

May 6, 2026 Understanding Evaluations: Having the right data to develop the IEP begins with the evaluation process.

May 13, 2026 Developing the IEP: An Individualized Education Program needs to be developed, reviewed, and revised. Understand the steps to this process.

We highly recommend bringing your spirit of learning and engagement to our Learning Labs.

Time: 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Location: Zoom Platform

4 Ways to Register

Call our office at 808-536-9684
QR code on flyer
Register at our NEW Website events page https://www.ldahawaii.org/events.html
New LDAH App: From website, scroll down to the very bottom and click on “Install Our App”. We welcome feedback on our New LDAH App.


Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawai’I (“LDAH”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1968 by parents of children with learning disabilities to provide educational advocacy, training, and support to promote public awareness, remove barriers, and provide full opportunities for these children. Today, LDAH serves parents and families of children with any type of disability. Its primary purpose is to provide training, counseling, and advocacy services to help parents successfully navigate Hawaii’s special education system and obtain a free appropriate public education for their children as mandated by law. The goal of LDAH is to help families and schools to understand the IDEA and how to use it to benefit children with disabilities. We serve families of children of all ages (birth to 26) and all disabilities (physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional) by providing a variety of services including one-on-one support and assistance, workshops, publications, and websites.

04/02/2026

More Than Just a Summer Program — It’s a Step Toward What’s Next

Full Life Hawaiʻi’s Summer Transition & Internship Program offers high school students with disabilities a meaningful opportunity to build confidence, gain real-world work experience, and develop essential life and workplace skills in a supportive, engaging environment. Through hands-on learning, partnerships with local businesses, resume building, and career exploration, students are empowered to grow their independence while forming valuable social connections.

This program is open to students ages 14–21 who are currently enrolled in school and have an IEP, 504 Plan, or other qualifying documentation. Programs are available across both East and West Hawaiʻi Island.

More than just a summer experience, this program is a stepping stone toward your child’s future. Space is limited—families are encouraged to complete the interest form by May 15th to be considered:
https://forms.office.com/r/VrTt2QhL7q

Have questions? Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact info on the flyer.

04/01/2026

Aloha Excellent SPIN Conference Attendees!

Mahalo for joining us for our 40th SPIN Conference! We had a totally tubular time with you! To recap, we celebrated with
Over 350 attendees
60 different organizations & about 150 resource room staffers
7 SPIN Awardees
14 workshops with 30 speakers
Over 50 parents from neighbor islands on airfare scholarships
And 17 awesome SPIN Advisors!

We have uploaded all workshop slides to the SPIN Conference website. You can find them here: https://spinconference.org/2026-spin-conference/

Please help us by filling out the Conference Evaluation and workshop evaluations.
The main conference evaluation gives us valuable feedback on what worked, what needs improvement, and what topics are important to you for next year's planning.
Find the Conference Evaluation Here: https://forms.gle/FpGpVjqyVuMfrrqJ8
The workshop evaluations provide feedback to our speakers and is great way share your comments with them.
The workshop evaluations are located under the link to the slides for each workshop on the conference website linked above.

Mahalo again for being a part of this Fabulous milestone of 40 years of SPIN Conferences!

03/20/2026

03/10/2026

There is still time to register for the Totally Awesome 40th annual SPIN Conference! Neighbor island family? We still have airfare scholarships available! Register here: https://spinconference.org/2026-spin-conference/

03/03/2026

Interested in learning how to perform First Aid/CPR/AED tailored to the disability community?

Wellness Matters Program

Inclusive First Aid/CPR/AED

Offered by Dr. Kelle Murphy, Center on Disability Studies, UHM

Receive American Heart Association certification in First Aid/CPR/AED



Eligibility: Disability community- open to individuals with I/DD including family members and caregivers.

When: Upcoming Session on April 9 and April 23 12-3 PM

*Participants must attend both classes to receive certification. Day 1- First Aid; Day 2- CPR/AED

Where: Center on Disability Studies Library University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1410 Lower Campus Rd , Honolulu, HI 96822

Cost: $20.94 per person. Limited to the first six participants.

Register: Email Dr. Kelle Murphy at kellem@hawaii.edu April 3 12:00 noon

Send a message to learn more

02/23/2026

Special Announcement: Understanding Dyslexia Starts Here!
March 11, 2026 Online 6:30-8pm.

Parents, join us and explore signs of dyslexia, practical tools, and positive ways to help your child shine. This free workshop offers proven methods to help children with dyslexia thrive at home and in school. Click the link and get registered today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982935349008?aff=oddtdtcreator

Beyond the Deficit Lens is a strength-based workshop for parents, educators, and advocates who want to understand dyslexia through strengths and support confidence, voice, and meaningful participation.
Join us March 11, 2026, 6:30-8pm for this special Online Event!
Click the link and sign up today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982935349008?aff=oddtdtcreator