Dick,
Even though I'm not Joe, I'll hazard an answer. It's important for funds to
come from the federal government because states with Republican governors
and legislatures tend not to a lot money for social services and education.
They tend to want to provide as little government money as possible to help
people live full and satisfying lives. This particular appointee is opposed
to public education. Putting her in charge of it, means its death knell.
Children with disabilities require public schools because private schools
tend not to serve them. There are very expensive private schools for
disabled children, but only the rich can afford them.
Miriam.
Miriam
________________________________
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard Driscoll
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 4:45 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: disability rights advocates concerned about
devos
Joe:
On behalf of the 'dummies' in this world would you please provide me with
an answer to the question by Senator Kaine.
I appreciate your answer.
Richard
On 1/18/2017 2:26 PM, joe harcz Comcast wrote:
It's an understatement...What part of civil rights doesn't she
understand?
Joe
Disability Rights Advocates Concerned After DeVos' Hearing
Disability rights advocates were concerned about DeVos' lack of
understanding of law that governs education for students with disabilities
(Bill Clark/CQ
Roll Call).
Eric Garcia
@Eric Garcia
Posted Jan 18, 2017 2:09 PM
Disability rights advocates raised concerns after Education
secretary nominee Betsy DeVos' confirmation hearing that she might not be
committed to enforcing
educational access for students with disabilities.
During the hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's
nominee to run the Department of Education, Sen.
Tim Kaine,
D-Va., asked about whether schools that received federal money
should have to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education
Act.
"I think that is a matter best left to the states," DeVos
responded before saying it was worth discussion.
Similarly, Sen.
Maggie Hassan,
D-N.H., followed up on the matter in her line of questioning.
"Federal law must be followed where federal dollars are in
play," DeVos said. She later clarified in responding to a different question
that she may have
been confused about IDEA, which requires schools to provide an
education to students with disabilities until age 21, but that she would be
sensitive to
the needs of students with disabilities.
"With all due respect, it's not about sensitivity, although
that helps" said Hassan, who has a son with cerebral palsy. "It's about
being willing to enforce
the law to ensure that my child and every child has the same access
to public education, high-quality education."
Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project
said it was "horrifying" as a disabled person to hear the responses to
Kaine.
"She kept repeating that it's a matter for the states when
this is a federal act," Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility
Project. "This is pretty
basic knowledge that any educational professional should have."
Later, Hassan, criticized DeVos' response and said. she
would review DeVos' written responses but DeVos has done "nothing to
convince" Hassan she would
be suitable choice.
"At yesterday's hearing, not only did Mrs. DeVos decline to
commit to enforcing IDEA, but she said she was confused about whether it is
a federal law,"
Hassan said in a statement to Roll Call. "The fact that a nominee to
lead the Department of Education seemed unfamiliar with the federal law to
protect
students with disabilities - a law that she would have a major
responsibility in enforcing - is unacceptable."
Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of Respectability USA,
said while she was encouraged by DeVos saying schools should be a safe space
from bullying, and
the nominee's support of disability student scholarship vouchers in
Florida, she also had reservations.
"It will be very clear it will be important for the
Secretary of Education to be committed to IDEA because good training and ed
is vital for people with
disabilities to contribute," she said.
The American Association of People with Disabilities also
stated its concerns about DeVos' lack of understanding of IDEA.
"AAPD is very concerned that Ms. DeVos seems unfamiliar with
the IDEA and the protections it provides to students with disabilities," the
organization
said
in a blog post. "Should Ms. DeVos be confirmed as Secretary of
Education, she must become more familiar with the law and commit to ensuring
that it is fully-funded
and enforced."
Source:
http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/disability-rights-advocates-concerned-
after-devos-hearing