Protect IDEA: Take Action

IDEA stands for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education.

That includes:

• Individualized Education Programs—IEPs

• Support services in schools

• Legal protections for students and families

While there is no official date announced, there are indications that changes may be coming.

Shifting IDEA, vocational rehabilitation, and civil rights enforcement away from the U.S. Department of Education could weaken protections, disrupt services, and reduce educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Advocates are raising several key concerns:

• Special education is education first

• Other departments don’t specialize in education systems

• Moving oversight could create confusion or gaps in accountability

Ultimately, the concern is that students with disabilities could lose access to the quality support they need to succeed.

Rhode Island:

• Senator Jack Reed: (202) 224-4642

• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: (202) 224-2921

• Representative Seth Magaziner: (202) 225-2735

• Representative Gabe Amo: (202) 225-4911

• Find your senator for your state: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

• Find your representative for your state: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Recommended Script:

Hi, my name is _________ and I live in ____________ (City and State).

I am a__________ (parent of a child with a disability/educator/concerned community member, etc.) calling to express my opposition to the U.S. Department of Education moving special education out of the Education Department. Special education programs are education programs first and should be administered by an agency that focuses on education. Neither the Health and Human Services Department or the Labor Department have any experience administering education programs that focus on serving students with disabilities. Moving special education programs will only lead to less educational opportunity for students with disabilities.

Will the Member call the U.S. Department of Education and ask that special education programs be kept at the Education Department?

The staffer that answers the phone will reply back to you. In closing, say:

Please let the Member know how important this issue is to their constituents. Thank you for your time.