Preserve the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

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Preserve the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

Students and parents from the Investing in Student Potential 2019 Advocacy Day

Tell Congress that our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sweeping effect of COVID-19 on our public education system is unprecedented, with physical buildings closing and teachers and families scrambling to create quality learning at home. Collaboration and innovation among educators has never been more critical, and it is essential that Congress ensures schools and families have the resources to adapt so all our children are educated.

What we cannot do is roll back civil rights protections and sacrifice the future of 18 percent of Washington’s student body.

Tucked into the third COVID-19 relief bill, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, is an alarming provision that directs the Education Secretary to report back to Congress within 30 days on waivers needed for IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. Prior to these acts, children with disabilities could be and were banned from schools and denied an education.

The current bill under review also gives Education Secretary Betsy DeVos broad waiver authority over the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and Carl D. Perkins education laws.

Our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through this pandemic so they can return to physical classrooms.

In Washington, our public schools serve about 161,000 students (14.1 percent of the student body) who qualify for special education pre-K through grade 12. Another 45,000 (3.9 percent) have accommodations in place under Section 504.

Rolling back civil rights protections for more than 200,000 Washington youth would be devastating. Human potential is our state’s most prized asset.

There is no place for sanctioned discrimination in our schools. Every student deserves an equal right to education and the opportunity to thrive.

CALL TO ACTION:

Use this form to urge Washington's Congressional delegation to preserve the civil rights of students with disabilities.

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Preserve the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell

Subject: Preserve the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

Message:

The IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for more than 200,000 Washington students with disabilities. That’s 18 percent of the student body in Washington’s public schools. These laws ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for more than 200,000 students with disabilities. That’s 18 percent of the student body in Washington’s public schools. Our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through this pandemic so they can return to physical classrooms. The sweeping effect of COVID-19 on our public education system is unprecedented, with physical buildings closing and teachers and families scrambling to create quality learning at home. Collaboration and innovation among educators has never been more critical, and it is essential that Congress ensures schools and families have the resources to adapt so all our children are educated. What we cannot do is roll back civil rights protections and sacrifice the future of Washington’s students.

Remaining:

Local Member of the House of Representatives

Subject: Preserve the Civil Rights of Students with Disabilities

Message:

The IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for more than 200,000 Washington students with disabilities. That’s 18 percent of the student body in Washington’s public schools. Our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through this pandemic so they can return to physical classrooms. The sweeping effect of COVID-19 on our public education system is unprecedented, with physical buildings closing and teachers and families scrambling to create quality learning at home. Collaboration and innovation among educators have never been more critical and it is essential that Congress ensures schools and families have the resources to adapt so all our children are educated. What we cannot do is roll back civil rights protections and sacrifice the future of Washington’s students.

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