Westfield Family Network

08/06/2026

💚 A little check-in for our special education families —

Can you believe the new school year is just around the corner? For many of our students, this new year means a new building, a new teacher, a new classroom, and a whole lot of new. And for kids who rely on routine, predictability, and consistency, that "new" can feel really big.

If your child is transitioning to a new school this fall — or even just a new classroom — now is a great time to reach out to your new building's principal or assistant principal to start making a plan.

Here are just a few things you can ask about or request:

🏫 A building visit before school starts — walking the halls, finding the classroom, locating the bathroom and cafeteria before the first day can make a world of difference

👋 A meet-and-greet with the new teacher — a familiar face on day one goes a long way

📸 Photos of the classroom, hallways, and playground — share them at home to help your child visualize their new space

📖 A social story about the new school — a simple, personalized story walking through what a school day will look like, who they will meet, and what to expect. We have templates with building photos ready for every school right here:
👉 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kMJDvOcVhZckltqNjdPyzajONMqmS0B-?usp=sharing

You know your child best. If something feels like it would help them — ask for it. Building teams want to set your child up for success, and the earlier these conversations happen, the better.

🏫 Connect with your new school — find links to every building's page and social media here:
👉 https://canva.link/xh6q265o8kack3w

📋 Find helpful information in our SEPAC FAQ to help you and your student transition into the new year:
👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Firomu1_R1C8tqGnDVP_bWnTpoygeaAU5mAfMwmpzW0/edit?usp=sharing

📬 Not sure who to contact or where to start? Reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll help connect you.

💚 Westfield SEPAC | In partnership with Westfield Washington Schools

08/04/2026

📣 FAMILIES — YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED!

If you support a loved one with a disability, please take a few minutes to complete the ICFN Westfield Family Network Survey
This survey helps shape the future of family-led networks like WFN — and every response matters. The survey closes August 15, so don't wait!

If you are part of Westfield Family Network, please choose that option. If you know someone outside of Westfield but would benefit from a Family Network, share this with them, and they can choose "other" This will show the State where there are needs 😃

07/30/2026

Here at WFN, we are always learning and growing alongside our community. Most of us on the leadership team have a loved one with a disability we care for daily, and some of us just learned about Disability Pride Month this year!

It's been a great opportunity to learn more about this amazing month. We want to share a few fascinating facts and awareness phrases.

What is Disability Pride Month?
*Disability Pride Month is observed every July to celebrate disability identity and community, mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and push for full inclusion in everyday life.

*The first Disability Pride celebration was a Disability Pride Day that took place in Boston in 1990
*More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults, over 70 million people, have a disability.
*Disability Pride Month happens in July and is tied to the ADA anniversary, signed on July 26, 1990.
*The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill, a writer with cerebral palsy, and later updated based on community feedback.

Why Disability Pride Month Matters Right Now
*Disability Pride Month is a celebration, but it’s also a reality check.
*Many people with disabilities and families are navigating a difficult mix of:
shrinking access to services and benefits
rising stigma and bullying, including a resurgence of the R-word
low expectations that limit opportunity

These are all pulled from the ARC and will be linked below for you to read and learn more as well. Let us know what stood out to you from this article, or what you have learned this month!

07/27/2026

This past Saturday, Westfield Family Network and WACD came together to celebrate the huge milestone of 36 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law — and we were honored to be joined by Mayor Scott Willis as we reflected on how far our community has come. Local speaker Brandon Scott shared a message that's stuck with all of us since: "accessibility should just become so regular that it fades into the background and allows life to take center stage."

That's the Westfield we're building — together.

36 years ago, the ADA opened doors. Today, we recommit to the work still ahead: making sure every family, every workplace, and every space in our community reflects what full inclusion actually looks like. This is just the beginning of what WACD and WFN have planned together — stay tuned.

Thank you to everyone who's part of this work, today and every day. 💙

07/25/2026

Celebrating 36 Years of the ADA

Saturday, July 25, 2026
1:30 PM 4:30 PM
Westfield Public Library - Room 1A (map)
Google Calendar ICS
This will be an informational support event for families — a chance to come together, learn, and be inspired. We'll have a featured speaker, Brandon Scott, sharing his personal journey with disability and his message of possibility and inclusion, from 2:00–3:00 PM. This is a co-hosted event with the Westfield Advisory Council on Disabilities. Throughout the event, we'll have refreshments and networking time, a kids' corner so families can bring their children, and the opportunity for families to complete a quick 10-minute survey for WFN. Meet in Room 1A.

Meet in Room 1A.

https://westfieldfamilynetworkada36.as.me/schedule/929faf42/?appointmentTypeIds[]=95325017

07/22/2026

Today, today, today!!!

Who is coming to learn, grow, and hear from amazing panelists!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!

👋What does a welcoming community look like?
👋 How have you been welcomed in Westfield?
👋 How do you welcome others?

Join us in the Meridian Room at SpringHill Suites, Westfield.

07/20/2026

🗣️ Finding Common Ground — Westfield Diversity Coalition
Wednesday, July 22 | 6:00–7:30 PM
SpringHill Suites Indianapolis/Westfield, 19317 Westmore Lane, Westfield

"Welcome" is one of the first words you see when entering Westfield. But what does a truly welcoming community look like?

Join WFN's partner, the Westfield Diversity Coalition, for their first "Finding Common Ground" conversation! Community members will kick things off by sharing their vision of a welcoming Westfield — then you'll meet your neighbors and join a facilitated discussion about what welcoming really means here.

This is a free event and space is limited!

"Welcome" is one of the first words you see when entering Westfield. What does a welcoming community look like?

07/19/2026

📣 Mark the Calendar!! — Let's Show Up for Our Families!

This Saturday, July 25th, 1:30–4:30 PM, we're celebrating 36 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Westfield Washington Public Library, Room 1A!

As parents who advocate for our loved ones every day, this one hits close to home. Local speaker Brandon Scott will share his personal journey living with a disability and finding purpose along the way — a message of possibility that so many of us try to instill in our own children.

Bring the whole family:
☕ Refreshments and time to connect with other parents
🧒 A kid's corner so everyone can join in
📋 A quick survey to help shape future support for families like ours

This is a great chance to connect with other resources and community members outside of the school setting — co-hosted by Westfield Family Network - WFN & Westfield Advisory Council on Disability - WACD.

👉 Register now, spots are filling up: westfieldfamilynetworkADA36.as.me

Hope to see so many of our WFN families there — let's show up for each other! 💙

Schedule your appointment online Westfield Family Network

07/17/2026

Even though it's summer we have been busy making connections within our community. We are so grateful to for all the amazing organizations, people, and businesses we have had the chance to get to know.

You can be added to our list too. Let's meet, connect, and talk about partnering together!

07/14/2026

Mark your Calendars for July Saturday, 25th!!

Join Westfield Family Network and the Westfield Advisory Council on Disabilities in celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Westfield Washington Public Library.

Enjoy refreshments and networking time with other local families and community members throughout the event. We will have a kid's corner in the room for littles. Families are also invited to complete a quick 10-minute survey to help shape the future of WFN's programs and services.

Featured Speaker: Brandon Scott (2:00–3:00 PM)
Brandon will share his personal journey of living with a disability, overcoming challenges, and finding purpose through perseverance. His talk will inspire attendees to see possibilities instead of limitations — and to help build more inclusive communities, workplaces, and schools.
All are welcome. Come celebrate accessibility, inclusion, and the power of community!