How to Get Involved in Special Education Lobbying (Even If You’re New or Burnt Out)

You’ve already figured out how to advocate for your kid at IEP meetings, now it’s time to zoom out. Because like it or not, the decisions made in D.C. and your state capital do trickle down to your kitchen table. They affect your IEP, your Medicaid waiver, your school supports, and everything in between.

And while it’s tempting to tune it all out (especially when you’re already fighting so hard at school), now’s not the time. We can’t afford to wait until laws are gutted or services disappear—we have to show up now. Lobbying isn’t reserved for lawyers or lobbyists in suits. It’s just regular parents like us making sure lawmakers don’t forget about 7.5 million disabled students and their families.

IDEA Re-Authorization

Several weeks ago, we did an online chat with a DC insider. Here are some of the important takeaways from that conversation.

It’s definitely a good video and not terribly long, and helps with perspective.

Let me just say this as an active lobbyist–and most would agree with me. Creating change is much easier to do at the state level, even though it doesn’t feel as fun and sexy as going to Washington, DC.

But that is where I am focusing my efforts due to the current political climate in DC. Plus, we keep hearing “leave it up to the states.” So, the state is where I shall be. Actually, it’s a Commonwealth, but you get it.

Education Lobbying

These are just some of the reasons we need to get and stay involved.

1. Everything our kids do will be is under attack. Every service we rely on–from medical assistance to public education, everything is going to be under attack in the coming administration. The GOP controlled Congress has its eyes on all kinds of cuts in education and more. We are going to have to stay informed and stay vigilant about what is happening.
2. We are going to be competing with just about every other cause out there for our legislators’ attention. As it is, concerned citizens are crashing phone systems at their legislators’ offices and crashing websites with emails all over the nation. Every cause–education, the environment, animal rights, women’s rights, immigration, health care…you name it, it’s vulnerable. People everywhere are mobilized to act. And we have to be in the mix. If we do not speak up and make our voices heard, our politicians will stay focused on the voices they are hearing.
3. They’re ignoring the laws and systems. You can have your opinions and want change. But, our constitution and our government has a well established set of laws and procedures. You don’t get to just ignore all of that because you like these ideas.
4. There are well financed groups out there lobbying against what we want. Parents are at a disadvantage when it comes to this. Everything I do, I pay for myself. Others are being paid. Huge difference. But there are well-financed lobbying groups out there, telling legislators things that go against our kids’ best interests.
5. Our voice is the only currency we have. Children do not have money. Disabled people, for the most part, do not have money. Our citizen voice is the only currency that our kids have. Our kids will not be donating millions to any campaign the way his Education Secretary nominee has. But we do have more than 10 million votes, collectively, so we need to leverage what we have. And that is numbers.
6. Because it’s our kids. Our kids do not have a voice. Maybe that is literal. Maybe that is figurative. They are not old enough to vote and are not taxpayers yet. But, they are consumers and citizens and are guaranteed some rights. We need to protect those rights for them. You’d do anything for your kids. So now, it’s time to step up. A few letters, a few phone calls, a few visits. It’s the least we can do.
7. If not you, who? If you don’t speak up and try to protect your child’s rights, who do you think will?

How to Get Involved in Lobbying

Here are some ways parents can get involved in special education lobbying and advocacy:

• Use the “5 Calls” App – Quickly contact your elected officials about special education issues with pre-scripted talking points. It’s advised that you reword it a bit to personalize it.
• Sign up for my email list – I have the new “Stepping Up for Disabled Kids” initiative where I will be sharing information. It has a Facebook group too. More information in that link.
• Join COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates) – Stay informed on legal and policy updates and join advocacy efforts.
• Sign Up for Action Alerts – Groups like the ARC, NCLD (National Center for Learning Disabilities), and your state’s Disability Rights organization send out alerts when it’s time to call or email lawmakers. Groups like Decoding Dyslexia, The Arc, and others regularly share opportunities to take action.
• Contact Your Representatives – Call, email, or meet with your local, state, and federal representatives to push for special education funding and policy changes.
• Testify at School Board or Legislative Hearings – Share your experiences to help shape policy decisions.
• Join or Start a Local Advocacy Group – Organize with other parents to push for change at the district or state level.
• Attend IDEA and IEP Workshops – Many organizations offer training on how to advocate effectively. Ahem, including me! Yes! I have a lobbying component to Don’t IEP Alone Academy.
• Follow Disability and Education Advocacy Groups –
• Write Op-Eds or Letters to the Editor – Raise awareness in your local newspaper about special education issues. I know not many people get a newspaper anymore, but most are published online.
• Push for State-Level Policy Change – Many states have Special Education Advisory Panels (SEAPs) where parents can voice concerns.
• Stay Informed on Federal and State Budget Proposals – Special education funding is often on the chopping block, so knowing when to act is key.
• Encourage Other Parents to Get Involved – The more voices, the stronger the movement!

Using Social Media for Advocacy

Here are some tips for effectively using social media to advocate for special education issues:

• Know Your Facts – Misinformation spreads fast. Always fact-check before sharing stats, stories, or policies. Stick to credible sources.
• Don’t Argue with Idiots – Trolls and willfully ignorant people will waste your time and energy. Engage with those who are open to learning, and ignore the rest.
• Use Hashtags Strategically – Find and use relevant hashtags like #SpecialEducation, #IEPRights, #FundIDEA, and #DisabilityAdvocacy to reach a wider audience.
• Make It Personal – Share your story. People are more likely to engage when they see real-life experiences behind the advocacy.
• Tag Lawmakers and Organizations – When posting about policy changes or funding issues, tag your elected officials and advocacy groups to get more visibility.
• Be Concise and Clear – Attention spans are short. Make your point quickly and make it easy to understand.
• Encourage Action – Don’t just vent—include a call to action! Whether it’s signing a petition, calling a legislator, or attending a rally, give people a next step.
• Create and Share Advocacy Graphics – Visual content (infographics, quote cards, short videos) gets more engagement than plain text posts.
• Support Other Advocates – Engage with, like, and share posts from fellow advocates and organizations to boost visibility.
• Fact-Check Before You Share – Just because a post aligns with your views doesn’t mean it’s true. Check sources before hitting “share.
• Take Breaks When Needed – Social media advocacy can be exhausting. Step away when needed to avoid burnout. Remember, we don’t need to gasp and pearl-clutch at every outrageous statement they make, because there are way too many. We need to stay focused on their actions.

If we don’t speak up, decisions will be made for our children without us. Funding cuts, loss of services, and policy changes happen behind closed doors unless we demand a seat at the table. Advocacy isn’t optional, it’s survival.