In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book detail what Susan is seeing on the local level and how that relates to national issues in special education. We dive deep into the state of special education—from alarming local stories in Wake County to the broader national challenges facing students with disabilities.

Susan shares her family's personal journey through the trauma of restraint and seclusion practices in schools, shedding light on the policies, data gaps, and systemic failures that continue to harm vulnerable students. Together, Renee and Susan connect these issues to the national dismantling of education oversight, including the impact of cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and Department of Education staff, and what that means for families who rely on federal protections.

This episode unpacks:

• Wake County's rising restraint and seclusion numbers — and what's behind them

• The role of lawsuits and media transparency in driving accountability

• How systemic bias impacts Black and Brown students in special education

• Why federal oversight matters now more than ever

• What parents and advocates can do to create safer, more equitable schools

👉 Call to Action: Learn more and get involved with Disability Rights North Carolina — subscribe to their newsletter, stay informed, and support their advocacy for students and families.

If you care about education equity, disability rights, and meaningful change in our schools, this episode is a must-listen.

#SpecialEducation #AdvocacyBites #EducationReform #DisabilityRights #WakeCountySchools #Inclusion #EverydayAdvocacy #ParentsForChange #EducationPodcast