Disabilities and Education

[stephaniew]

Hello President Obama,

First of all congratulations to you and to America. Like most of America I am concerned about the economy, but the issue closest to my heart is change in education and more specifically disabled education.

I am a mother to two children, my son is learning disabled. His first IEP was put into place when he was 3 years old he is now 13. I have had to fight many battles with teachers, principles, and even the school board ever since. I have been given "reasons" such as gray area, federal standards, state standards, budget limitations, etc. as to why they have not provided my son the tools and resources he needs to succeed. I have had to have outside testing done in order to provide proof to the extent of his disabilities and even threaten to contact an attorney on multiple occasions. My son has never given up he tries his hardest everyday and often times finds his own unique way to compensate for his disabilities. This is in spite of being told things by teachers like we all have disabilities so deal with it, or even worse that's no excuse get your work done. What I find most disturbing is the fact that I have gone every year to the IEP meeting to ensure my son's rights are protected, only to end up with a teacher who has not even taken the time to read the IEP. At times (including election day) after listening to my son's frustration, and discouragement I have had to go to a teacher and ask "have you read the IEP" only to be told "No I have not".

It used to be that my biggest fear was that my daugther who is 9 would surpass my son in school which has now happened. I now realize that should not have been my biggest fear, but rather is my son going to be taught enough that he will survive in this world by himself if he needs to. Unless there are some major changes made to not only the education system in America but also to the educational system for the disabled students in this country I fear that my son will always be dependent on me. I have many, many ideas on things that I feel are important to not only my son, but other children as well. I would love to have the time to speak with either yourself President Obama, or whomever you place in charge of education reform to share more of Andrew's and my struggles and also some of my ideas.

Thank you,
Stephanie