I am a parent/advocate of a child with a disability. I am writing to share my urgent concern about the current potential federal policy threats to the safety, health, and educational rights and opportunities of children with disabilities.
As my elected official, I urge you to reject ANY bill or policy that proposes to close the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and that threatens the educational rights and opportunities of the more than 9.5 million children with disabilities eligible under federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504), the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and more. Specifically, you must oppose proposals that:

Call for a plan to dismantle the Department whose Secretary has the fixed responsibility under the IDEA to provide oversight, technical assistance and more so that states can fulfill their obligation to provide a free, appropriate public education to every student with a disability;

Threaten to reduce or eliminate federal funding for IDEA, Title I, or the Office for Civil Rights and other critical investments that support children with disabilities and their families;

Compromise a child’s access to specially designed instruction and/or supports and services under IDEA, and access to auxiliary aids/services and support under 504;

Halt activities in the U.S. Department of Education that would compromise oversight, technical assistance and other activities essential to ensuring state and district compliance with IDEA and 504; and

Deny parents or students their right to file a claim of discrimination under 504, or due process under either 504 or IDEA.

Your role in Congress is essential to ensuring that ALL children with disabilities (from infancy into adulthood) can access -through state and district-run programs- the early intervention and K-12 programs they need to support successful transition throughout school into career/technical and post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. States and districts rely upon key federal funding and federal technical assistance so they can meet their obligations under IDEA. These are also integral to ensuring that schools are a welcoming place for all students and their families -where every child can learn, grow, and thrive in pursuit of their full potential.

Please use your legislative authority to PROTECT students with disabilities and say NO to any legislative proposal or executive action that would threaten any child’s access to a free, appropriate public education as required under the IDEA or protection from discrimination under 504.

If I can provide additional information as you conduct your work on behalf of me/my child, please let me know.