We are living in a time of change, and it is entirely understandable to feel unsure about what the future holds for learning disability services. We know that our children and adults with learning disabilities have incredible potential, and we must be advocates in maintaining the legal and procedural safeguards necessary to ensure that all have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
While we support our elected officials and hope they will recognize the vital role they play in holding schools and institutions accountable for meeting the needs of students and adults with disabilities, we must be vigilant in recognizing and speaking up when the rights that we take for granted, that have been safeguarded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for 50 years, are being jeopardized.
Recently, LDA-Iowa took such an action. Along with eleven other advocacy groups, LDA-Iowa signed on to a letter regarding the Texas v. Becerra case, asking the Iowa attorney general to remove Iowa from the lawsuit.
The case, which challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, asks the court to get rid of Section 504, which protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The outcome of this case could have implications for disability rights across the country. This action by LDA-Iowa is an effort to defend the hard-won rights of students and adults with disabilities against any erosion. It also provides an opportunity to consider how we, as a community of advocates, can best prepare for and respond to these challenges.
To navigate the evolving landscape of learning disability services, we must proactively engage in several key actions. This includes staying informed about proposed changes to funding, oversight, and service delivery, ensuring we are well-versed in our rights under IDEA, and actively communicating with our elected representatives to share personal experiences, concerns, and successes. Importantly, we must use the strength of our many voices to ensure the needs of individuals with learning disabilities remain a priority.
Let’s move through this period in history with a commitment to ensure that the promise of IDEA remains a reality for every individual with a learning disability, now and for generations to come.
LDA-IA board member Helen Beneke takes part in a conversation with KMTV Omaha:
Iowans advocate for disability rights as some states sue to change protection laws