Consider This from NPR Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school
Jul 5, 2024
Disabled students often encounter significant barriers in accessing the education they deserve. Families, like one in Georgia, are fighting against a backlog of discrimination complaints at the Department of Education. This insightful discussion highlights the struggles of a young boy named Sam, who faces challenges due to partial hearing loss. It also reveals the emotional toll on families as they navigate complex systems in pursuit of necessary services for their children. The podcast sheds light on the urgent need for reform in educational support for disabled students.
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Sam's Struggles
- Sam, a six-year-old with disabilities, faces challenges accessing his education.
- These include transportation, wheelchair access, and lack of ASL instruction.
Denied ASL
- Sam's school acknowledges his communication needs but denies him ASL instruction.
- They claim his hearing loss doesn't meet Georgia's criteria for "deaf or hard of hearing."
Underfunding Special Education
- States and districts often bear the burden of providing services for disabled students.
- This is due to the federal government historically underfunding special education.