I never imagined that visiting my children could turn into such an emotionally and physically draining experience. As a mother of a severely autistic child, just having gone a major invasive hip suergry..visits should be a time to connect and nurture, not a time to fight for basic human dignity and rights. On multiple occasions, I had no choice but to change my child on the public restroom floor of a supervised visitation center. Despite my pleas, the center’s director refused to provide any accommodations for my child’s needs, such as a quiet space to manage meltdowns or an appropriate area for feeding and naps that we were allowed to use. 

Sadly, the staff’s lack of training in handling children with special needs was evident. When I mentioned my child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), it was clear they were not familiar with such plans, treating legitimate concerns as confrontational behavior. After being unjustly videotaped and labeled irrational, my visitation rights were terminated simply for allowing my recovering child a necessary nap.

The current state of court-appointed supervised visitation centers fails families with special needs children across our country. These centers must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, ensuring accessibility and dignity for all families. Furthermore, staff should be thoroughly trained in special needs care, particularly in understanding and implementing IEPs, to provide a compassionate and supportive environment.

I call upon all judicial and social services overseeing these visitation centers to mandate comprehensive ADA compliance and specialized training for all personnel. Enforcing such standards will create safer, more equitable environments for our children and their families. Also mandate they report abuse, like diaper bags smelling of drugs on 3 seperate occasions. Thriving families on Vero beach floridasa did not report. Per law. Instead we're retaliatory against a mother protecting her disabled children.

Please sign this petition to help ensure every child's right to accessible and compassionate visitation conditions, so no family has to endure what mine did. Together, we can push for immediate, impactful change.