The current administration has announced that it will move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). This is the Federal office that is responsible for the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), the law protecting students with disabilities and giving them the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

This shift is part of a strategic effort to dismantle the Department of Education piece by piece, without Congress, without authority and without regard for the disabled students who will pay the price. It is also illegal.

So what can you do now? 

Take a moment, find your community, call your representatives and demand IDEA-specific protections. Educate yourself on your state’s law, regulations and policies, especially in regard to how they fund special education. 

If you are not already, start following advocacy accounts like the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) to keep yourself updated on developments. If you are able to, consider supporting them with a donation, as they continue to fight for disabled students rights. It is also important for you to seek out local advocate groups within your state who will be able to help you navigate any new changes. Play Spark have also produced a guide for parents to learn more about IDEA and protecting your children's rights, which is linked below.

And through it all, it is crucial that you stay centered on your child’s rights to autonomy, dignity and access.