Your elected officials need to hear directly from YOU so they can understand how education rights for students with disabilities have an impact on your life.
Understanding Education Rights
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal civil rights law that ensures eligible children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention services and special education and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Congress authorized IDEA in 2004 and amended IDEA in December 2015 through Public Law 114-95. Current law states:
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities."
Each state must follow IDEA, and may also create additional laws and rules. In Michigan, those rules are the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).
What are some current issues facing Education Rights for people with disabilities?
IDEA implementation can vary from state to state, and the quality of education can often vary from school district to school district.
Federal and state funding is often seen as a major reason why the availability and quality of services can vary widely between schools. Many school districts also face a workforce shortage of special education teachers, speech therapists and occupational therapists, which impacts education services for people with disabilities.
These issues result in significantly different public education experiences for students with disabilities and their families.
Why Your Voice Matters
Laws and regulations that affect the implementation of special education and early intervention services can shape the quality and accessibility of education for students with disabilities. Policymakers benefit from understanding your experience with the current system and the challenges you and your family have faced. By sharing your lived experiences, you can educate your elected officials and help them learn what's working - and what isn't.
Take Action: Educate Your Elected Officials
Act now to educate your elected officials about your experience with education for students with disabilities! Here's how:
✍️ Use this form to write a message to their office.
📞 Call their district offices.
🏦 Attend a town hall or community event they are hosting.
📣 Encourage your friends, family members, and allies to contact Congress.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
Lawmakers need to hear directly from people who have lived experience. By speaking up, you are making sure your legislators hear from people who are directly affected by the laws they vote on. Don't wait - take action today!
Additional Resources
IDEA Fact Sheet from Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education
U.S. Department of Education's IDEA website
Frequently Asked Questions: Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Share your lived experience to educate your lawmakers about disability education rights and their impact on your life.
- Share your own lived experiences with education for people with disabilities. These experiences can be positive or negative. Use real-life examples.
- Make your message direct and use clear, easy-to-understand language.
- Stay Positive and Respectful!
Sample Message:
My name is [Your Name] and I live in [City]. I am your constituent and I want to share how disability education rights have impacted my life. Education rights for people with disabilities are important to me because [Share why disability education rights are important to you].
Without disability education rights, my life would be changed because [Share how your life would be different without disability education rights].
Thank you for your time. I sincerely hope you will consider my lived experiences before making any decisions that would impact the right to public education for people with disabilities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]