Building a more inclusive world.
If you’re here, it’s probably because you’ve been searching for answers, support, or maybe just hope. Welcome to The Advocacy Underground, a nonprofit who fights for kids with disabilities to have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The Advocacy Underground is more than a name. It’s a movement.
Our movement is a challenge to the systems that leave kids with disabilities on the outside looking in.
An underground movement is about rising up when the world isn’t paying attention, speaking out when others stay silent, and fighting for what’s right even when it’s hard.
This movement is needed because far too often, kids with disabilities are pushed aside, left out, or told they don’t belong. Special education programs—often called “exceptional children’s programs”—are supposed to help, but they’re not always enough. The system wasn’t built for true inclusion. That’s where we come in.
Our Mission
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Educate
Make the legal rights and academic research surrounding special education easy to consume and understand.
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Equip
Provide educational toolkits to supplement academic instruction that are specially designed to be inclusive of students with disabilities.
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Empower
Partner to design ambitious and transparent plans focused on achieving growth and progress in inclusive settings.
Meet the Founder
Mary Beth Moore, Inclusive Education Advocate
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When my son started preschool, I faced many obstacles in getting his unique needs met. I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know where to turn. I spent months immersing myself in legislation, case law, and research to learn how to better advocate for him.
The Advocacy Underground is my vision to ensure no parent or educator faces this struggle alone. Our education system has been built to segregate students with disabilities, leaving families and educators to fight for inclusive environments on their own.
What makes this organization special is our focus on creating and growing a global community that believes in the fundamental right to an inclusive education. We simplify complex information, develop accessible toolkits for specialized instruction, and equip communities with the knowledge and skills to build a better, more inclusive world. I want my son—and all children with disabilities—to be valued, believed in, and given the opportunity to live a life that’s inclusive, not segregated. Together, we can create that world
Board of Directors
Kimberly Fradel
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
When my son with Down Syndrome was born, my husband and I knew we wanted to provide him the best possible life, which included learning alongside his peers and making meaningful friendships along the way. While preparing for him to start school, we began to research his rights to be included in a general education classroom.
We quickly found ourselves overwhelmed and discouraged. We knew our son had the right to have access to his nondisabled peers at the maximum extent possible. But we didn’t know how to begin this discussion at the IEP table. This is the gap that that The Advocacy Underground (TAU) aims to fill.
The main mission of TAU is to translate student rights into easy to consume information for all families who find themselves needing extra support at the IEP table. We empower parents to feel confident in addressing the questions and concerns brought by other IEP team members to facilitate change within the IEP process. I can’t imagine doing anything more meaningful than empowering parents to make their vision for their child a reality.
Hannah Neitzke
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
I am Hannah, a homeschooling mom of six amazing children. My second daughter has special abilities. This was something we didn’t fully realize until she was 5 years old. Being a mom of a child with special abilities has had many rewards and many challenges. Some days I find myself overwhelmed finding the right educational tools, teaching new tasks, or simply trying to figure out how to communicate with my daughter. Other days we are celebrating her being able to say a new word, master a memory task, or buckle herself up in the car without assistance!
There are many therapies, techniques, and providers out there waiting to serve your child but it can be daunting to know where to start. One of the things that drew me into being a part of The Advocacy Underground is the passion to not only provide information but also to educate and come alongside families going through the same journey. My husband and I have advocated for our daughter’s needs in a school setting, and have been her voice when she wasn’t able to speak for herself. We want to encourage you to do the same because it is possible!
The Advocacy Underground is here to educate, equip, and empower you!
JOIN OUR TEAM
Be the Change
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Be the Change ♡
Are you interested in becoming part of our movement to make education more inclusive? If you're a parent passionate about creating equal opportunities for all children, or an educator eager to help develop essential toolkits, we’d love to have you join us. Apply today to join one of our committees or to explore the opportunity to serve on our board. You can help us shape the future of education for children with disabilities!