Preparing for a Leap of Faith: The Power of
Professional Disability Advocacy

No family should have to walk the path of disability advocacy alone. At Champions for Kids, we know that navigating school systems and complex evaluations can feel overwhelming, especially when your child’s future is on the line. We stand beside parents as a dedicated partner, bridging the gap between policy and the daily classroom experience to ensure every student—regardless of the nature of their challenges—is equipped to thrive.

Tia Marquis

About the Author

Tia Marquis is a certified special education professional and a devoted champion for students with disabilities. With years of experience as both a teacher and a parent navigating the system, she provides expert disability advocacy to help families across Arizona move from frustration to empowered action.

One Sister’s Fight Became a Lifelong Calling

I was practicing disability advocacy long before I even understood what the word meant. My journey began when I was in high school and God placed it on my heart to stand up for kids that were being picked on. It continued when my brother struggled in high school; he faced significant learning challenges and frequent suspensions that left my mother searching for answers. Helping her fight for him was my first realization of how vital it is to be a voice for those the system often overlooks.

This calling led me into my career as a general education teacher and eventually led me to specialize in special education and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. But the mission became deeply personal when my own child was diagnosed with a disability. Today, I see—as a sister, a teacher, and a mother—how at every step, God was preparing me to join the mission of protecting student rights and advocating for families every day.

Tia Marquis

Providing Solutions, Not Just Support

Leap of Faith Learning was founded by Ron and Eileen Vachon-Vierra after their daughter’s life was transformed by the right support. Today, we bring that same quality of education and disability advocacy to resource-scarce communities across northern Arizona.

We drive system-level change through four vital pillars:

  • Comprehensive Assessment: We emphasize the need for neuropsychological evaluations that go far beyond standard school testing to provide parents with the "missing piece" of their child's puzzle.
  • Empowered Advocacy: Our goal is to equip parents with the tools to advocate confidently for their own children rather than simply doing it for them.
  • Ministry and Outreach: We provide interested parents with spiritual support and all parents with connection and encouragement. We create a space where parents don’t have to apologize and every family is welcomed with love and dignity. We offer training and support for communities and churches to help support families and kids with special needs.

Change the Narrative With
Champions for Kids

By uniting parents and policy experts, Champions for Kids provides the professional disability advocacy and systemic pressure needed to improve outcomes for students. Together, we are moving the needle from mere compliance to genuine student success for every family in Arizona.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does disability advocacy help improve student outcomes in Arizona?

Professional disability advocacy ensures that school districts move beyond "checking boxes" to providing a meaningful education. By using data-driven strategies and knowledge of special education, professional advocates help families secure the specific accommodations and services that lead to academic growth and independence for people with disabilities.

Many students with "invisible" disabilities, such as dyslexia or ADHD, are frequently overlooked. In these cases, an advocate can help you request independent evaluations to gather additional information on how your child’s learning difference requires specially designed instruction or accommodations at school.