To the Families, Advocates, and Members of The Arc of Massachusetts Community:
The decision to eliminate almost the entire Office of Special Education is not just a cut. It is a direct assault on the fundamental, legally guaranteed right of every child with a disability to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Simply put, the Trump administration issued a reduction-in-force (RIF) late last week, firing staff who oversee $15 billion in special education funding for 7.5 million children nationwide. You can learn more about what happened, and hear from impacted federal employees about their work, in this piece from NPR.
The Arc of Massachusetts is outraged and dismayed. We are following this situation closely and we will communicate all developments to you in real-time. Our immediate focus is on three fronts: advocacy, legal accountability, and local action.
This mass firing shows a staggering disregard for the well-being and future of our children. It signals an unacceptable willingness to dismantle the infrastructure that upholds the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – civil rights laws that are the fabric of our special education system.
This administration may eliminate federal employees, but they cannot eliminate federal law. Our strength lies in knowing our rights and getting involved:
- Know the Law of the Land: The core provisions of IDEA – the right to FAPE, the Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the protection of due process – are still the law of the land. These rights are non-negotiable.
- Get Involved: As the federal capacity diminishes, your local Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) becomes more vital than ever. Join and attend meetings. Take part in The Arc’s state-level advocacy to help ensure that as the state sorts through these changes, we are prioritizing special education in Massachusetts. Email nbent@arcmass.org to get involved.
- Document Everything: Be meticulous. Ensure every step of your child’s IEP process is documented. If you are denied a service or a meeting, get it in writing. If you face a pushback from your district citing a lack of resources, this documentation will prepare you if you decide to legally challenge any rights violations.
Please continue to share your stories through our Impact Tracker. We must amplify the human cost of this decision and continue to share our stories. Stay closely connected to The Arc for the latest national and state news impacting people with IDD and autism and their families.
Thank you for your commitment to advocacy.
Maura and The Arc of Massachusetts team
