Why I created Kaz

When my son first started struggling in school, I did what most parents do — I listened to the teachers, I trusted the system, and I assumed everything would work itself out. But the more I listened, the more I realized something wasn’t right.

I was being told about behaviors — running out of the classroom, refusing to work, shutting down — but I wasn’t getting solutions. I wasn’t getting support. And I definitely wasn’t getting clarity.

What I got was a crash course in special education law, IEPs, evaluations, acronyms I had never heard of, and meetings that felt like a maze of confusion. I sat through ARD meetings (what Texas calls IEP meetings) that left me frustrated, overwhelmed, and — if I’m honest — angry. I knew my son needed help, but I didn’t know how to get it. And no one was explaining it in plain English.

That’s when I found the Brighton Center in San Antonio. Their advocates didn’t just show up for my son — they showed up for me. They explained the process, walked me through my rights, and helped me realize something I hadn’t fully embraced: if I wanted to be an effective advocate for my child, I had to educate and empower myself first.

That realization was huge. Brighton gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to fight for my son — and win. But as grateful as I am, I also know this: not every parent has access to an organization like Brighton, or the time and energy to learn everything from scratch. That’s why I built Kaz.

I created Kaz to be the 24/7 advocate I wish I had in my pocket when this all started. Something that could answer my questions, guide me through the process, and help me show up to school meetings prepared — without spending hours on legal blogs or waiting weeks for a callback.

Kaz is named after my son — because he’s the reason I do this. But this tool isn’t just for him. It’s for every parent who’s been told their child is “difficult” or “disruptive” without being told what supports they’re entitled to. It’s for every family navigating IEP meetings without a translator — whether that’s for Spanish or for special ed jargon. It’s for every advocate, educator, and ally who believes that when parents are informed, kids win.

I didn’t set out to create a tech startup. I set out to solve a problem. And my hope is that Kaz helps make this process a little less overwhelming for families who are just trying to do right by their kids — the same way Brighton helped me.

Thanks for being here.

— Keith