Action Alert: Maintain the Department of Education!

The National Council on Independent Living has serious concerns about the executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education due to the significant impact it will have on students with disabilities. The Department plays a crucial role in enforcing federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.

While civil rights laws will remain in place, eliminating the Department of Education would weaken oversight, reduce accountability, and create uncertainty about the enforcement of these protections. This could lead to diminished access to special education services, increased barriers to accommodations, and greater disparities in educational outcomes for disabled students. Without strong federal enforcement, many students will struggle to receive the supports they need to succeed.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) play a vital role in supporting disabled students as they age into adulthood, advocating for their rights, and ensuring they have the tools to live independently. Without a strong federal education system, CILs and other disability rights organizations may face increased challenges in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the services and supports they are entitled to under the law.

We encourage policymakers to protect the rights of students with disabilities by maintaining the Department of Education and strengthening the enforcement of existing civil rights protections. Ensuring access to a free and appropriate public education in the most integrated setting possible must remain a national priority, so that all students, including those with disabilities, have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

For more information, please contact NCIL Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.

Take Action:

  • Contact your Senators and Representative using NCIL’s Advocacy and Action Center. Tell them to keep the Department of Education open and continue to support its programs. We encourage you to add a personal story.
  • Attend local school board meetings and engage in local and state efforts to ensure that services and civil rights protections for students with disabilities remain in place and enforced.

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