[BlindKid] NFB continues advocacy to protect children's educational and civil rights

[Carlton Anne Cook Walker]

In response to Congress’s directive to send a report detailing potential
waivers to IDEA and other federal laws—waivers that could strip blind
students of their educational and civil rights— U.S. Department of
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recommended only limited waivers, and she
noted, “…there is no reason for Congress to waive any provision designed to
keep students learning. With ingenuity, innovation, and grit, I know this
nation’s educators and schools can continue to faithfully educate every one
of its students.”

Of course, Congress could still pass additional waivers, so today, National
Federation of the Blind President Mark A. Riccobono sent a letter to the
Chairs and Ranking Members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Committees
overseeing education. In his letter, President Riccobono urges Congress to
accept the very limited waivers Betsy DeVos recommended and to expand two
of them in order to, “improve educational opportunities during the COVID-19
pandemic and [to] protect students with disabilities whose needed services
were adversely impacted by unplanned school closures.” and “help
Randolph-Sheppard entrepreneurs reopen their business, return to work, and
employ their workforce.” You may find a copy of President Riccobono’s May
4, 2020, letter at:
https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/letter-to-congress-concerning-the-dept-of-ed-report-on-waivers.pdf




Carlton Anne Cook Walker
Attorney at Law
BEAR--Blindness Education and Advocacy Resources
Teacher of Students with Blindness/Low Vision
President, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
101 Kelly Drive
Carlisle, PA   17015
Voice: 717-658-9894
Twitter: braillemom


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