As the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act marks its 50th year, Kansas City families worry that federal efforts to dismantle the Education Department will further erode their students’ rights.
The landmark law requires that children with disabilities have access to a “free appropriate public education,” and provides funding to help states offer special education services. Before IDEA, schools regularly denied access and services to children with disabilities.
Sarah Laub, a Blue Springs parent, has a high schooler with several learning disabilities and a 504 plan, which allows students to receive accommodations in the classroom…