I fear that IDEA will fall prey to the states rights crowd who will say it is
unconstitutional.
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of joe harcz Comcast
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 4:48 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: disability rights advocates concerned about devos
Yes, they have to comply with IDEA which is after all a federal civil rights
law of long standing.
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Driscoll<mailto:llocsirdsr@xxxxxxx>
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 4:44 PM
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
