The stark reality of disability and accessibility in American education

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     October 3, 2023 Hey, I'm Summer Sewell, a contributing editor working on a package on the state of students with disabilities in America. Individualized Education Programs are a key part of our country's law that requires all public school students with disabilities to have the support needed to learn and succeed. That, at least, is the goal of an IEP. But oftentimes, the reality is starkly different. Crafting an IEP can be an incredibly stressful and complex process. Some of the biggest challenges in attaining IEPs reflect the overarching failures of our public schools to provide students the education they deserve. Parents and caregivers and students themselves are attempting to bring much-needed change. In Virginia's Fairfax County, a [class action lawsuit]( alleged that its public schools, as well as Virginia's Education Department, failed to properly evaluate children with disabilities and create IEPs. The suit also alleged a bias, that rulings in disability hearings disproportionately favor school systems over parents. But this summer, the complaint was [dismissed](. For disability rights advocates, the dismissal came as a blow, especially regarding the push to improve IEPs on a national level. [So with a new school year underway, we want to know](: If you are a caretaker of a student with disabilities, or have IEP experience yourself, what issues have you faced in getting the IEP carried out as written? Have issues with an IEP prompted you to homeschool your child or change school districts? What do you fear you will lose if the IEP is not followed correctly by the school? [Shoot us a note here. We'd love to hear from you](. —Summer Sewell Advertisement [Racial Emotion at Work by Tristin Green]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [For Disabled Workers, Discrimination Is Common—If You Even Get to Apply]( At one tech giant, a Blind employee couldn't access a job listing he helped write. BY JULIA MÉTRAUX SPONSORED CONTENT FROM CREDO MOBILE   CREDO Mobile: A phone company that’s better for all people and the planet. When you [join CREDO Mobile](, you get all you want from a phone company: great network, competitive plans, the best phones. But with CREDO you get much more. You get an easy, effective way to make a difference in the world. Just by using your phone, you’ll generate vital donations for progressive nonprofits. [Trending] [Does "and" mean "and"? Or "or"? The Supreme Court will decide.]( BY DANIEL KING   [This book will change how you think about protest foreverÂ]( BY EAMON WHALEN   [Rich Americans are stiffing the taxman to the tune of $66 billion]( BY MICHAEL MECHANIC   [The pandemic pause on student loans has come to an end. Can Biden's new plan offer relief?]( BY RUTH MURAI Advertisement [Racial Emotion at Work by Tristin Green]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [A utility giant's hired gun says the quiet part out loud]( Utilities oppose rooftop solar because it reduces their profits. BY DAN GEARINO [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755