Advocacy in Action with Martha Goodman
July 29, 2024 | People in Our Neighborhood
By Jewish Connection Network
Martha Goodman, our Disability Resource Coordinator, is a passionate advocate in the field of disability resources and inclusion, inspired by her upbringing and personal experience with her daughter Meira, who has Down Syndrome. She supports families in navigating educational challenges, offering personal assistance at IEP meetings and fostering a sense of connection. Read about her impactful role in the community and the exciting trends shaping the future of disability advocacy.
What inspired you to work in the field of special needs resources and advocacy?
My parents really raised me in a “see something, say something” culture, and to be really curious about things, and not accept things at face value. I think all that laid an important foundation for my work. When my daughter Meira was born, and identified as having Down Syndrome, one of the founders of the disability advocacy program at The Associated invited me to work with her. was a life changing decision, and one that not only made me the best advocate for my daughter, and grow as a person, but also forged my connection to the Baltimore Jewish community
What are some of the most common challenges families face when seeking educational resources for their children, and how do you help them navigate these challenges?
There are a number of obstacles when a family is seeking resources. Among them are not knowing what they need or what is available, not knowing the most effective means of securing those supports and services, and feeling alone and isolated within the system. Our program is one of the few free advocacy programs which provides personal assistance at IEP meetings. For private school families, the services available to them through the IEP are very limited. Of course, we offer much more than that! I think the most important thing I offer is a listening ear and the sense of connection.
Can you share a particularly rewarding experience you’ve had while working with a family in need of IEP resources?
I’ve been working with parents for twenty years, helping them navigate the special education system. One of the first families I worked with had a son on the autism spectrum who at first was denied an IEP. I helped get the student placed in a hybrid classroom, in which half the children had been identified with disabilities and the other half had not. Eventually, he did receive IEP support and continued through school with many specialized placements. He graduated from one of the elite public high schools in Baltimore City and now attends a rigorous university. Another really satisfying experience was with a family who had a daughter who was enrolled in a Jewish girls school, and was struggling to learn to read. The family made the difficult decision to withdraw her and enroll her in their zoned school and receive IEP support. After two years, her skills had improved tremendously and she returned to the day school, where she remained through high school graduation.
Can you tell us more about your involvement with the Kodem Kol Advisory Panel, the Special Education State Advisory Council, and the Educational Advocacy Coalition? How do these roles complement your work at the Jewish Connection Network?
Being part of larger advocacy groups is extremely valuable. Connecting to other professionals and keeping up to date on changes in the law and local practices is crucial to offering the best advice to the families we work with. Kodem Kol is a program for Jewish children in Baltimore City who are eligible for early intervention. It was created as response to a documented under representation of Jewish children in the Infants and Toddlers program. Early intervention is critical to achieving the best long-term outcomes for children with disabilities. Our community is so fortunate to have professionals whose focus is to ensure access and equity for Jewish children with disabilities.
What are some emerging trends or changes in the field of disability resources and advocacy that you find particularly exciting or concerning?
The disability horizon is always changing with new breakthroughs, and unfortunately, added challenges. One of the most exciting developments is that recently the Maryland state legislature passed a bill which created a fund to providing funding for families who are embroiled in special educational disputes. From my viewpoint, this is transformative, particularly since the intention is that the majority of the money would be spent on non-attorney advocates and experts. As the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEA) notes, involvement of attorneys can create “a chilling effect” on the process.
As a recent empty nester, what do you like to do for fun?
Well, my “empty nest” was only temporary! My daughter Meira, who started me off in advocacy, completed her seminary year in a specialized seminary program in Israel and returned home. We anticipate that she will begin post-secondary classes at CCBC, with the hope of eventually earning a child care assistance certificate. Much of my free time is spent trying to imagine and create the most fulfilling and independent life for her that I possibly can. I hope my nest will be empty again at the right time.
Much of my “fun” is still related to my work – teaching people to add closed captions for videos, planning an informational event to inspire people to think big when it comes to young people with disabilities, and trying to bring the community colleges classes for people with disabilities into the Jewish community. I have taken a number of ASL classes, and would like to continue to build towards fluency. Among my several Torah learning partners is a deaf woman in Arizona. I love to read, learn, research, bake, play Code Names and Connections, visit my nearly-secret water hike location and host Shabbos guests—old friends and brand new ones.