ACLU Comment on DeVos’ Recommendation to Preserve Core Tenets of IDEA Disability Law

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recommended on Monday that Congress preserve core parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an education law that mandates all students receive an equal and quality education, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. DeVos recommended that Congress waive narrow provisions in IDEA and keep the core principles of the law intact.

West Resendes, Skadden Fellow for the American Civil Liberties Union’s Disability Rights Program, had the following comment:

“DeVos’ recommendation is a surprising — but welcome — move from this administration and a win for the disability rights movement. Secretary DeVos has re-affirmed that all students, including students with disabilities, need to continue learning. IDEA guarantees the rights of students with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate education, one that should not be undermined at any time, especially during a national emergency. Congress should reinforce this approach by maintaining the civil rights of students with disabilities and ensuring that they get the extra support they may need now and over the summer to stay in step with their peers.”