Terrible IDEA!

I have no idea how the cuts in the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities, but I expect current students will not have the educational opportunities and special education services I received. The Department of Education helps make sure that more than 7 million students with disabilities get the special education services they’re guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

I have cerebral palsy and auditory neuropathy. I use a power chair, communications device, and adaptive technology to help me do all the things I love to do. Because of IDEA, I was able to be included with my peers in my local school and received a free, appropriate education. This was my right!  Before IDEA, I may not have been able to go to school – or would have been warehoused in the special ed room away from other kids. That wouldn’t have been appropriate for me or my educational goals.

It wasn’t always an easy path. My parents and I worked hard along with my teachers to develop my Individualized Education Program (IEP). I had a 1-1 paraprofessionals or paras that assisted me in regular classes so I could learn along with my classmates, fed me, gave me drinks of water, helped me with the bathroom, etc. I had a team of dedicated, incredible teachers, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapists. I had some amazing teachers along the way that made inclusion successful (thanks again to my 10^th grade American History teacher)! I was on the A-honor role and even gave a speech at my high school graduation.

I was lucky to be in the Minnesota school district that I was in. Other students and families may not be. The Center for American Progress reports that the recent Department of Education cuts increase the risk of discrimination against students with disabilities because there are fewer staff to provide oversight and compliance. There are also concerns that funding reductions to IDEA could limit special education personnel and lead to loss of services for students.

What will the education of kids with disabilities look like if the Department of Education goes away? I have no idea but do know that IDEA should be fully funded and strengthened – not destroyed. Kids deserve free, appropriate education and we don’t need to go back to the days when kids with disabilities were ignored or warehoused.

• The Education Department is being cut in half. Here’s what’s being lost (NPR)
• Department of Education Staff Cuts Will Harm America’s Children and Schools (CAP)

Looking Towards the Future High School Graduation Speech