Resources for Families

Washtenaw ISD provides early childhood and special education services from birth through age 26 across Washtenaw County.  Our district aims to provide exceptional service to each young child, student, and family we support.

Quick Links

The WISD Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) exists to serve two basic functions:

  • To advise the WISD Board of Education on matters pertaining to special education; and
  • To fulfill those responsibilities designated in PA 451. The PAC also facilitates communication, awareness, and involvement between parents, local districts, Boards of Education/Boards of Directors and the Intermediate School District.

The ultimate goal of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), Special Education Department is the successful transition of all students from school to post-school activities - whether postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living or community participation.  

Transition planning is the foundation for IEP planning process. The purpose of this website is to assist all stakeholders (students, teachers, families, and other school personnel) in developing and implementing the Transition IEP and transition planning throughout the secondary years.  

Upcoming Events in the Community

Community Agency Supports

Workshops & Webinars

Upcoming 25-26 WISD Transition Student and Parent/Guardian Workshops

Sept 2025 - Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy September 30, 2025 5:30-6:30pm Medicaid Information, Social Security Benefits - washtenawaca.org

Oct 2025 - Transition Information Services Student and Parent Workshop October 23, 2025 9-11:30am Many agencies to speak and work with families - Join us on Zoom

March 2026 - Transition Law Night Workshop March 19, 2026 6-7:30pm Introduction to Postsecondary Transition Law/Information

April 2026 - MI Able Parent Workshop April 7, 2026 5:30-6:30pm Benefits for setting up MI Able accounts for your student's care and well-being - miable.org

May 2026 - Transition Information Services Student and Parent Workshop May 14, 2026 5-7:30pm Many agencies to speak and work with families - Join us on Zoom

For more information: call (734) 994-8100 ext. 1520 or email

Calendar

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January 2
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
4:00 PM
Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
Date: Jan 2
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Calendar: Community Events
For information on the UM SO College unified swim practices at the YMCA in Ann Arbor: email Kathryn Hemmila at khemmila@umich.edu
January 7
PAX Gymnastics - Our Play Ground
8:30 AM
PAX Gymnastics, 375 E North St Suite #101, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
PAX Gymnastics - Our Play Ground
Date: Jan 7
Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Location: PAX Gymnastics, 375 E North St Suite #101, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
Calendar: Community Events
A soft, welcoming space for adults to PLAY (unstructured with minimal instruction). 
  • Climbing wall
  • Obstacle course
  • Soft spring floor
  • Hula hoops
  • Yoga balls
  • Hippity Hop
  • Frisbee
  • Foot/hand-bag
  • Balloon dancing
  • Slack-line

Plus: Amazing music to dance, move and roll with.

Sliding Scale: $15-$20
January 9
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
4:00 PM
Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
Date: Jan 9
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Calendar: Community Events
For information on the UM SO College unified swim practices at the YMCA in Ann Arbor: email Kathryn Hemmila at khemmila@umich.edu
January 13
WISD Board of Education Regular Meeting
5:00 PM
1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
WISD Board of Education Regular Meeting
Date: Jan 13
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Calendar: WISD Calendar
WISD Mental Health Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
7:00 PM
WISD Mental Health Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
Date: Jan 13
Time: 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Calendar: Community Events

Mental Health Solutions for Your Child’s Pain

  • Pain and behavioral health concerns are often poorly understood and under-recognized. Join Emily (Foxen-Craft) Scholand, PhD, as we explore how to understand and harness psychological strategies to help your children with migraine, sports injuries, and GI issues manage their symptoms, develop coping skills, and thrive.

  • Register for Mental Health Solutions for Your Child’s Pain Zoom

January 14
PAX Gymnastics - Our Play Ground
8:30 AM
PAX Gymnastics, 375 E North St Suite #101, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
PAX Gymnastics - Our Play Ground
Date: Jan 14
Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Location: PAX Gymnastics, 375 E North St Suite #101, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
Calendar: Community Events
A soft, welcoming space for adults to PLAY (unstructured with minimal instruction). 
  • Climbing wall
  • Obstacle course
  • Soft spring floor
  • Hula hoops
  • Yoga balls
  • Hippity Hop
  • Frisbee
  • Foot/hand-bag
  • Balloon dancing
  • Slack-line

Plus: Amazing music to dance, move and roll with.

Sliding Scale: $15-$20
School avoidance and mental health needs - PACER Center
12:00 PM
School avoidance and mental health needs - PACER Center
Date: Jan 14
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Calendar: Community Events

When your child or teen experiences difficulties attending or participating in school, you may struggle to know how to help. Join us for this workshop to learn more about ways to support your student, interventions and resources that can help, and how special education or a 504 plan can address their mental health needs. You will develop a greater understanding of how to:


  • Address school avoidance or school refusal behaviors
  • Understand behavior as communication
  • Explore effective interventions for support 


RSVP for School avoidance and mental health needs

Location - Zoom
January 15 - January 16
The Social Scene - Work and Play
6:00 PM
Work and Play Disability Community Center, 444 N Hewitt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
The Social Scene - Work and Play
Date: Jan 15 - Jan 16
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM
Location: Work and Play Disability Community Center, 444 N Hewitt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
Calendar: Community Events
Adults only with developmental disabilities community night with music, games, food & friendship every 3rd Thursday!

The Social Scene – A Monthly Community Night to Celebrate Friendship & Inclusion

Join us every third Thursday for The Social Scene, a vibrant, all-ages community event designed to foster friendship, connection, and belonging. Enjoy music, games, free food, and a welcoming environment where people of all abilities and backgrounds are valued, respected, and celebrated. Whether you're looking to meet new friends or simply enjoy a fun night out, this is the place to be!

📅 Every 3rd Thursday | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM

📍 Work and Play Disability Community Center – 444 Hewitt Rd, Ypsilanti

🎉 Presented in collaboration with the Work and Play Disability Community Center, REIA Education Network Team of Michigan and the EMU Women’s Resource Center

Dr. Kimberly D. Ferrell, Ph.D. is the Coordinator of the EMU Women’s Resource Center and founder of the REIA Education Network Team of Michigan. An award-winning educator and activist, she is dedicated to creating inclusive, healing-centered spaces that uplift marginalized voices and celebrate intersectional identity.

RSVP for The Social Scene

January 16
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
4:00 PM
Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Special Olympics Swimming (U of M)
Date: Jan 16
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Calendar: Community Events
For information on the UM SO College unified swim practices at the YMCA in Ann Arbor: email Kathryn Hemmila at khemmila@umich.edu

News

Program Map

ADA & Accessibility

Our School Strives To Ensure Our Website Is Accessible To All Our Visitors 

Washtenaw ISD is committed to providing a website that is fully accessible and we are currently in the process of developing a new website to better meet the needs of our customers. Our new website will include improvements to ADA compliance and accessibility, and during this transition, we remain committed to maintaining our existing website's accessibility and usability. 

ADA Compliance

Non Discrimination

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.

Non Discrimination Information

ADA and Title IX CoordinatorADA and Title IX CoordinatorMichigan Department of Civil Rights
Brian Marcel
Associate Superintendent
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1402
Cassandra Harmon-Higgins
Executive Director, HR & Legal Services
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1311
Online Complaint Form
(800) 482-3604
Contact MDCR