11/14/2024
There is uncertainty about the future of the Department of Education and here's what advocates are worried about...
Before we start, I’m going to say something I should not have to say. I am loyal to NEITHER party. I vote red and blue. Disability rights are a non-partisan issue. Okay, here we go:
Less than 50 years ago, children with disabilities did not have the right to attend public school. Legally, they could be turned away. Less than 50 years ago! It took years of advocacy to pass IDEA.
IDEA is the law that guarantees children with disabilities a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
Last night I was on a call with 60 other advocates as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (NDAC). Advocates who have done years upon years of work in D.C. are hearing that The Department of Education could be cut and IDEA would be block-granted.
Block grants are designed to give states flexibility on how they spend federal funds. The concern with block-granting IDEA is that states would have fewer restrictions on how the money can be spent.
One concern with eliminating The Department of Ed and block-granting IDEA funds is a lack of oversight.
If you are a military family or are a disability family who has just moved a lot you already know how much services vary state to state. What will happen to kids in states with already poor track records? *Children should be entitled to a free and appropriate education no matter where they live.*
The Department of Education also has an oversight role. For example, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights investigates alleged discrimination complaints at colleges and K-12 schools.
Regulation matters for students with disabilities. Civil rights should not be dependent on which state you live in.
As one advocate spelled it out like this to me, "Even if they don't do away with IDEA, it waters it down. It would take accountability away, so there would be no accountability for the states to enforce IDEA regulations.
So, what do we do?
- Right now, we tell our stories. We write to our local elected congressional delegation (US Representative and US Senators), congratulate them on their win and introduce ourselves and why disability rights issues are important to our families and tell them we are looking forward to working with them.
-Sign up for NDSC's action alerts or another disability organizations action alerts.
-Consider joining a coalition such as NDAC or one with another organization. There is strength in numbers, and it helps take away those feelings of going at this alone.
-We commit to non-partisan action moving forward. Disability rights are not a partisan issue, they are a human issue and it will take all of us moving forward.
And you can sign up for my bi-monthly emails to stay updated and I’ll give you tools on how to best advocate: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5df185a2154bd20026a1b01b
