Fallout from the Department of Education Changes

The Trump administration said it plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (DoE), the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). About 7.5 million students from kindergarten through grade 12 receive special education and related services under the IDEA, and nearly 2 million others receive accommodations through 504 Plans.

IEPs are protected by law. As long as the IDEA remains intact, the rights of students with disabilities to IEPs will remain protected. However, the DoE is the primary watchdog for both IDEA and Section 504, so enforcement of IEP and 504 Plan violations could be affected.

Though no IEPs and 504 Plans exist in higher education, both Section 504 and the ADA prohibit discrimination from colleges and universities, and require covered institutions to provide accommodations that will allow students with disabilities to compete on a level playing field.

Parents and educators are worried and asking: What happens if plans to restructure or eliminate the Department of Education are successful?

In this webinar, you will learn:

• About the role of the Department of Education as it relates to special education and higher education issues, with a focus on IEP and 504 Plans for students with ADHD and learning disabilities
• How the Trump administration’s DoE developments would likely or potentially impact students’ accommodations
• How IEP and 504 Plans would be enforced if the DoE is eliminated
• About the recourse parents would have if IEPs or 504 Plans were not followed
• How parents and teachers can advocate for their children during this tumultuous and uncertain time