Take Action: Protect Special Education Rights
Call to Action: Protect Special Education Rights Our community needs to act now. The federal office that makes sure students with disabilities get the services they are promised, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), has lost almost all of its staff. Without staff, the law still exists on paper, but no one is left to enforce it.This is not a small issue. This also includes K-12 students who have both vision and hearing loss. OSERS makes sure schools follow the law, provides support to parents, trains teachers, and runs programs like Vocational Rehabilitation that help young people with disabilities find jobs and build futures. If this office is hollowed out, who will stand up for our rights? Can we trust New Hampshire to step up?
- Our courts have already said that NH underfunds special education and must do better. But the legislature has dragged its feet.
- Some NH lawmakers openly say children with disabilities should not get what they need if it “costs too much.” At an Epsom School Board meeting in September, Rep. Dan McGuire said:“If you have a kid who is incapable of learning to read … should you be spending $200K a year trying to make them read?”
- This shows us clearly: without federal enforcement, Can we trust NH to protect all students.
- IDEA, the special education law, still exists but with no one to enforce it, it’s an empty promise.
- Families will be left alone to fight for their kids.
- Teachers will be asked to do more with fewer resources.
- Students will lose chances to learn, grow, and work toward independence.
- Restore staff to OSERS immediately. Students need real enforcement of IDEA, not empty words.
- Make sure Congress defends disability rights. No more cuts.
- Hold NH accountable. The state must meet court orders and fully fund special education.
- Send a message: Use this FastDemocracy link to contact Senators Hassan and Shaheen, and Representatives Pappas and Goodlander. Tell them to fight to restore staff at OSERS and protect IDEA.
- Spread the word: Share this action in your schools, groups, and networks.
Take action now
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