Constant streams of social media controversies distract us from events that are impacting our nation. Why is it that I’ve seen more coverage of Kim K’s new underwear scandal than the rumors of sector-wide layoffs in the United States Department of Education? It’s a fact that the disabled community is the largest minority within the United States.
Allegedly, the US government has laid off the majority of its employees in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). In 2023 alone, 7.5 million students nationwide received special education and services provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) which is enforced and supported through OSERS.
Under IDEA, the standards of teaching students with disabilities are raised, guaranteeing educational improvement. If the decision to fire these essential employees is confirmed, it will have lasting effects on our Education system, harming the outcomes of millions of students nationwide.
If the mass firing is confirmed, distributing funding for special education services could be frozen. Without proper funding, schools will be unable to provide services for students with disabilities to reach their full potential. How can the largest minority receive the smallest recognition? In a society where education is of utmost value, inclusion is necessary to provide opportunities to those with disabilities.
Before enrollment in my current Disability Rights class, I was unaware of what OSERS was and how it’s crucial to our education system. My Disability Rights professor said, “Approximately 1 in 7 students in U.S. public schools benefit from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
In my work and within my own family, I’ve witnessed how this law impacts a student’s education and strengthens their capacity to be self-sufficient and live independent lives.” The importance of IDEA is highlighted by my professor, emphasizing how the act fosters quality education through their first-hand experience.
Schools neglect to include the sacrifices made by disability rights protestors through decades of activism. Protests such as the Capitol Crawl of 1990, where those with disabilities physically climbed up the Capitol’s stairs, forced visibility and ultimately led to the passage of regulations in the Rehabilitation Act, prohibiting discrimination while providing a free and appropriate education to students with disabilities.
An Illinois Wesleyan student shares their experience with receiving a 504 plan. “In elementary school, I struggled with tests due to my vision problems. I received a 504 plan, allowing me to take more time on my exams to make up for eye difficulties slowing me down. Without time and a half on my exams, I would be unable to complete tests to the best of my ability.” This student’s experience showcases the importance of special education services in the classroom, allowing students to reach their full potential.
From early intervention programs which improve childhood development to the distribution of funding, OSERS seeks to improve the lives of people with disabilities – regardless of age. Without these essential services, funding for quality education, employment opportunities, and the futures of students with disabilities will be gravely impacted.
OSERS ensures that laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) are upheld; but without these workers, the foundations of these laws will be put into jeopardy. IDEA provides students and their families access to legal protection if their rights are violated while ensuring that a free and appropriate public education is provided to eligible students across the nation.
Why? Because people with disabilities are not second-class citizens, they are vital contributors who shape and strengthen the United States as a whole.
By educating yourself through trusted sources such as the OSERS or IDEA website, you can become an advocate for not only what’s right, but what’s fundamental for our society.
