SPIN - Special Parent Information Network

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

02/23/2026

Purple Day at Ho‘omaluhia
Sun, March 29 • 1–3 PM • FREE

Lei making + food tasting + EFH announcements.

DM us “RSVP” for the free registration link.
Vendors: DM “VENDOR” to donate purple treats, giveaways, or in-kind items.

02/20/2026

Watch an interview on Island Life Live about our Oahu Footsteps to Transition Fair happening this Saturday!

Oahu Footsteps to Transition Fair. An event for middle and high school students with disabilities and their families, to help in making a successful transiti...

02/20/2026

Footsteps to Transition Fairs are happening this spring! They are geared for families and students with disabilities in middle and high school, but all ages and stages are welcome, along with community partners and organizations. The Footsteps Fairs help families navigate the transition from high school to adult life after high school and cover topics like:

Independent living
College supports
Employment supports
Health transitions
Benefits planning
Day programs
And more!

There are 3 Footsteps Fairs coming up this spring:

Saturday, February 21: Oahu Footsteps to Transition Fair
A virtual event, families are welcome from all islands!
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Register for free at https://footstepstotransition.weebly.com/oahu-footsteps.html
Registration will be open until 8:30 am on Saturday morning. A Zoom link will be sent to you after you register.
Speaker presentations with Q&A
Door prizes
Watch a Footsteps interview with Kailua HS student and teacher on Island Life Live this past Wednesday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPiwY_LPxa8

Tuesday, March 10: Maui Footsteps to Transition Fair
An in-person event at Maui High School Library
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Register for free at www.bit.ly/footsteps26
Resource Fair with over 20 agencies
Free dinner and door prizes

Wednesday, March 25: Hilo Footsteps to Transition Fair
An in-person event at Arc of Hilo
Time: 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Register for free at www.bit.ly/FTT2026
Speaker presentations & resource fair
Light dinner and door prizes

For more information on transition resources, visit our statewide website: https://footstepstotransition.weebly.com/

Welcome the the Footsteps to Transition Fair website! Take a look around at the different resources and documents to help you transition your young adult from high school to adult life after high...

02/06/2026

Aloha SPIN ‘Ohana!
Our 40 & Fabulous SPIN Conference is right around the corner, and you know what that means… it’s time to celebrate the shining stars in our community with the SPIN Awards! ✨
Every year, we get the chance to honor the parents and professionals who go above and beyond for our keiki with disabilities here in Hawai‘i. These are the quiet heroes, the fierce advocates, the steady guides — and we need your help to spotlight them.
We’re now accepting nominations for three fabulous award categories:
🌺 Family Choice Award
For that extraordinary professional who has walked alongside families, helping them navigate services and supports with heart, patience, and aloha. This award honors someone who may not influence the larger system, but makes a world of difference in their own community.
🌈 Parent of the Year Award
For a parent of a child or young adult with a disability whose advocacy, leadership, and generosity have lifted up other families. The kind of parent who inspires us all.
🌟 Professional of the Year Award
For a professional whose work has significantly improved services for children or young adults with disabilities and their families — a true changemaker.
The nomination form can be found on the conference website: https://spinconference.org/2026-spin-conference/ — please feel free to share it with your networks, parent groups, and anyone who knows someone deserving of a little extra sparkle this year. Nominations are due to SPIN by February 25th via email, fax, or mail.

Save the Date! For the 40th annual SPIN Conference for parents who have a child with a disability living in Hawaii, and the professionals who work with them. This year, we are celebrating 40 years of providing awesome workshops, networking with families, and creating family-school-community partners...

02/06/2026

Join Hawaii Autism Foundation for a fun evening of dancing with your
favorite cupids, a photo booth, face painting, Tuukkaa the Therapy Dog,
and lots of grooving to the beats of a live DJ performance by DJ Ray!

DATE: Friday February 20th
TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Le Jardin Academy, 917 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Kailua, HI 96734, lower school, Wang Auditorium

For ages 13+

Please RSVP here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8tnmj7k

02/06/2026

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

DATE: Wednesday, February 11
TIME: 5:00 - 6:00 pm - We will have the zoom room open at 4:45pm for questions/talk story
LOCATION: Zoom
TOPIC: Organizing Your Records: Know the Papers, Keep the Proof, Protect your Child- Special Education Organized Records-Empowered Advocacy

To register: call our office at 808-536-9684, QR code on flyer or this registration link below:

https://forms.gle/N3n17WsZgLvrb2Jf7