Clear Eyes Kind Hearts

Why This Site Exists

Our Mission

This resource was created by someone who got tired of watching families make decisions based on fear instead of facts.

Online spaces meant to support parents navigating special education have become breeding grounds for panic. Well-meaning people share their worst experiences as universal truths. Bad actors monetize anxiety. And families who desperately need help become convinced that all help is harmful.

Children suffer when parents avoid evaluations, refuse services, or approach schools as enemies rather than potential partners – not because parents are failing, but because they’ve been fed misinformation designed to terrify rather than inform.

This site exists to counter that.

We provide free, accurate, accessible information about special education so families can make informed decisions based on their child’s actual needs – not someone else’s trauma, ideology, or sales pitch.

We believe:

• Parents deserve clear, honest information about IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and their rights
• Children deserve adults who collaborate on their behalf rather than treating every interaction as warfare
• Nuance matters – systems can have problems AND still provide essential support
• Fear-based absolutes (“never get an evaluation,” “all help is harm”) isolate families from resources their children need

We’re not here to tell you what to decide. We’re here to help you decide wisely.

Our Values

Child First

Every recommendation, every piece of guidance, every tool on this site asks: “What does THIS child need to learn, grow, and feel safe?”

Not what worked for someone else’s child. Not what an online guru insists is true for all children. What does YOUR child need?

Clear Eyes

We acknowledge real problems:

• Bias exists in special education systems
• Resources are often inadequate
• Some families face genuine barriers and adversarial situations
• Medication is sometimes pushed when behavioral supports haven’t been tried
• Schools don’t always communicate well or implement plans faithfully

Pretending these problems don’t exist would be dishonest. But using them to justify avoiding all help is harmful.

Kind Hearts

Most educators entered their profession because they care about children. Most evaluators want to help families understand their child’s needs. Most therapists are trying to provide genuine support.

Can individuals and systems fail? Absolutely. Should you advocate firmly when needed? Yes.

But starting from “everyone is the enemy” makes collaboration nearly impossible. We encourage families to begin with partnership and escalate only when necessary – not because it’s naive, but because it’s strategic.

Calm Advocacy

Advocacy doesn’t require rage or panic. It requires:

• Asking clear questions
• Documenting conversations
• Knowing your rights
• Building relationships where possible
• Being firm when needed
• Seeking second opinions when you disagree
• Remembering that the goal isn’t winning – it’s helping your child access what they need

Panic burns bridges. Calm builds them.

What We Don’t Do

We don’t sell anything.

No courses. No coaching. No affiliate links. No products. This information is free because it should be free.

We don’t claim to replace professional guidance.

We’re not doctors, lawyers, or therapists. We don’t diagnose, provide legal advice, or offer mental health treatment. We provide information and direct you to qualified professionals and trustworthy organizations.

We don’t deal in absolutes.

If someone tells you “always” or “never” about special education, they’re oversimplifying. Real life is messier. We acknowledge complexity and help you navigate it.

We don’t spread panic.

You won’t find fear-mongering here. You’ll find practical tools, honest information, and realistic guidance.

Who We Are (And Aren’t)

This site was created and maintained anonymously because what matters isn’t who we are – it’s whether the information helps families.

We’re not:

• Seeking recognition or credit
• Building a personal brand
• Monetizing family anxiety
• Promoting a specific ideology or approach

We are:

• Committed to accurate, evidence-based information
• Focused on practical tools families can actually use
• Dedicated to accessibility (clear language, free resources, eventually multilingual content)
• Protective of anonymity so the work stands on its own merit

If this site helps your family make a more informed decision about your child’s needs, that’s success.

How This Site Is Funded

This site is funded out of pocket by the creator.

We have no sponsors, no advertisers, no paid partnerships. This keeps the information independent and unbiased.

We will never:

• Sell products or courses
• Require payment for information
• Gate-keep resources behind paywalls
• Accept advertising that conflicts with our mission

Our Commitment to Accuracy

The information on this site is:

• Based on federal special education law (IDEA, Section 504)
• Informed by decades of research on learning, child development, and educational interventions
• Reviewed for clarity and accuracy
• Updated when laws or best practices change

If you find an error, tell us. We’re committed to getting things right.

Contact: cleareyeskindhearts@gmail.com

What We Hope You Take From This Site

When you leave this site, we hope you feel:

More capable – You have tools, questions, and strategies you didn’t have before.

More informed – You understand what IEPs and 504s actually are, what your rights are, and what questions to ask.

More grounded – You can distinguish between legitimate concerns and panic content.

More hopeful – Navigating special education is hard, but it’s not impossible. You can do this.

Less alone – Millions of families navigate this system. Resources exist. Help is available. You don’t have to figure this out in isolation.

A Note on Anonymity

Some people will question why this site is anonymous. “Why won’t you put your name on it? What are you hiding?”

We’re hiding nothing. We’re prioritizing the work over the worker.

In an age of personal brands and self-promotion, anonymity feels strange. But it serves a purpose:

• The information stands on its own merit, not on credentials or charisma
• Families focus on what’s useful rather than who said it
• There’s no individual to attack, distract from, or mythologize
• The work remains accessible regardless of who created it

If you find value here, share it. If you don’t, that’s okay too. The site exists for those who need it.

Thank You

Thank you for caring enough about your child to seek information instead of accepting fear at face value.

Thank you for advocating, even when it’s exhausting.

Thank you for showing up to meetings, asking questions, and remembering that your child’s needs matter more than anyone’s ideology.

You’re doing important work. We hope this site makes it a little easier.

Clear eyes. Kind hearts. Child first.