Since parents are the first teachers, collaboration is prime in educating children with disabilities. Federal legislation and laws address collaboration by empowering parents to be equal partners in planning and executing programs for their children. This book is designed to provide specific strategies for school personnel, parents, and community agencies to use in providing services for disabled children. Innovative approaches, jointly sharing information, the impact of disabilities on families, the importance of parenting skills, counseling parents, parents as resource individuals, and community interaction are all outlined; and collaborative strategies are highlighted for each of the aforementioned areas. provides information to parents concerning their rights in educating their disabled children and may be used in teaching institutions, public schools, parental groups, and agencies serving disabled individuals.