Stay Ahead of all the Law & Policy Changes
Guide to Changing Special Education Advocacy and Laws in 2025
Navigating special education laws and advocacy in 2025 can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. This resource hub is designed to keep parents informed and empowered with the latest updates on IEPs, disability rights, legislative changes, and advocacy strategies. Whether you need expert guidance, legal insights, or practical tools to support your child, you’ll find everything you need here. Stay ahead of policy shifts, learn how to advocate effectively, and access the best resources to make informed decisions for your child’s education.
Stepping Up for Disabled Kids
Welcome to the home base for Stepping Up for Disabled Kids – Powered by A Day in Our Shoes!
Newly Added:
- OSERS Has Been Dismantled: What This Means for Disabled Adults and Their Families.
- OSEP Is Gone: What It Means for Your Child’s IEP and What Parents Must Do Now.
Please remember that many of these issues are not resolved in a day or a week….they take months. Please look at previous action items and do those as your schedule allows. Thanks.
Newly Added:
- What Could Your Child’s Education Look Like Without the U.S. Department of Education?
- Think You Know What the Department of Education Does? Think Again.
- Could Your School Be Next? What Happens If Title I Funding Vanishes?
- RFK Jr. Just Gutted Disability Community Supports—Here’s What to Do Right Now
- The End of the Department of Education? What Parents and Teachers Need to Know Now
- How to Prepare for Possible Changes to IDEA – 5 Ways to Strengthen Your IEP Advocacy Today
- From Anxiety to Action: How to Get Started in Lobbying, for Special Needs Parents
- Special Education Advocacy More Critical Than Ever Amid Uncertain Federal Oversight of IDEA
- Medicaid Cuts Will Cost You More Than You Think
Previous Action Items:
- February 19 Information to Get Involved, including 5 Calls App and more
- January 24 Information and Action about DEI and OCR
- Stepping Up for Disabled Kids: March 16 Action Items
January 1: Here is the link to join the Facebook Group.
This is more than just a page—it’s the heart of a movement dedicated to political action and advocacy for the issues that matter most to disabled children and their families. Here, you’ll find everything you need to join the fight: legislative action alerts, key issue breakdowns, contact information for your representatives, and step-by-step guides to make your voice heard.
We’re tackling big issues: protecting Medicaid and ACA provisions, securing funding for special education, fighting for disability rights, and so much more. Too often, our kids’ futures are at the mercy of systems that prioritize budgets over lives. This movement is about changing that—together.
This isn’t about personal IEP or 504 plans (I’ve got other resources for that). It’s about creating systemic change at the state and federal levels to ensure all disabled kids have the support they need to thrive.
Disability rights should be a non-partisan issue, but we know that’s not the reality. Many of the solutions and ideas presented here will lean progressive, and I’m committed to tackling these challenges head-on with honesty, facts, and action.
Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned advocate, this is your space to learn, connect, and act. Ready to get started? Let’s step up for our kids—because their future depends on it.
Tools for Managing Your IEP
The future of special education is uncertain, but one thing isn’t: parents must be ready to advocate harder than ever. While potential changes to IDEA will likely face legal challenges and take time to unfold, your child’s education can’t wait.
The truth is, we’ve always fought for special education at the state level, not just with the federal government. Funding, implementation, and enforcement of IDEA have always been state-driven, which means parents need to know their state laws and be prepared to fight for their child’s rights.
Advocacy & Lobbying
Be prepared for all the proposed changes: Now is the time to level up your advocacy skills.
Ready for IEP Transition?
It’s difficult to remove services from an IEP once there: get a solid transition plan in place NOW.
IEP Progress Monitoring
It’s essential to track IEP progress, if we end up facing funding & service cuts.
5 Things TODAY
How to Prepare for Possible Changes to IDEA – 5 Ways to Strengthen Your IEP Advocacy Today
Disclosure: I try to keep information as up to date as possible, but things are changing quickly. Please email me if you see errors. I mean factual errors–I don’t claim to be unbiased.
Latest Updates on Federal Disability Issues
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IEP Laws for 50 States
Do you know your state’s IEP laws? Stay informed.
Possible 2025 Changes
A Senate Disability Policy Director talks about changes.
What is School Choice?
The truth about school choice: It rarely includes our kids.
Favorites to Check Out
Education Counsel
Amazing up-to-date list of exactly what is happening in DC.
5 Calls App
5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
US Senator
Senator Murphy (D-CT) is great if you want to stay up to date on what Dems are doing to challenge the actions.
Message Boards
Ask a question, voice concerns, get support–anonymously if you want.
Don’t leave empty handed!
IEP Binder for Parents
Say goodbye to the chaos of IEP paperwork! Get 10 free IEP advocacy tools, and a simple, effective way to keep all your child’s IEP documents, goals, and progress tracking in one place.
IEP Data Collection Sheets
Make IEP data collection a breeze! Download my free 28-page PDF packed with ready-to-use data collection sheets designed to save time and keep you organized.