Show Notes:
As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind takes a hard look at the policies that continue to marginalize disabled children, adults, and their families. From reduced Medicaid funding and overwhelming waitlists for home- and community-based services, to inaccessible housing and restricted employment opportunities, we explore how these choices play out in real lives across the country.
We dig into how exclusion is not just a policy issue—it’s a reflection of our values. What happens when disabled people are seen as “costs” or “burdens,” when immigrant families fear accessing services, or when Black and Brown disabled students face disproportionate discipline?
This episode challenges listeners to ask: where does our fear and prejudice end, and where does our humanity begin? Learn practical ways to take action, advocate for inclusive policies, and support disability-led initiatives.
Special Ed Rising is your guide to turning frustration into advocacy, isolation into community, and silence into action. No parent should navigate this system alone, and no story should be dismissed.
Takeaways: Special Ed Rising – Rising Against ExclusionExclusion is real and measurable.
Policy choices—like cuts to Medicaid, long HCBS waitlists, inaccessible housing, and restricted employment—directly affect whether disabled people can live independently and with dignity.
Discrimination intersects with other identities.
Race, language, class, and immigration status intensify the impact of disability exclusion. Black and Brown students, immigrant families, and low-income households often face compounded barriers.
Inclusion is a value, not a luxury.
When disabled people are framed as “burdens” or “exceptions,” society tolerates inequity. Advocates must challenge these narratives to center dignity, equity, and humanity.
Action starts locally.
Attend IEP meetings, school board sessions, and legislative hearings. Advocate for accessible housing, inclusive education, and equitable employment opportunities. Share your lived experiences—statistics alone aren’t enough.
Change begins with community and persistence.
Exclusion isn’t inevitable. By showing up, speaking out, and supporting disability-led organizations, families, educators, and advocates can transform frustration into collective power.
You are not alone.
Special Ed Rising exists to amplify parent and caregiver voices, break down complex policies, and foster a supportive community where no parent is left behind.
Call to Action:
Show up at IEP meetings, school boards, and legislative hearings. Share your story. Support disability-led organizations. And when inclusion is dismissed as “too expensive,” speak up—because change begins with people who refuse to accept less for their children, their families, and their futures.
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Resources & References for This Episode- Medicaid & Disability Services: Learn more about how Medicaid supports people with disabilities and recent policy changes. Kaiser Family Foundation
- Accessible Housing: Data on how few housing units are truly accessible for adults with disabilities and the barriers families face. Urban Institute, Northeast Arc
- Education & Discipline Disparities: Research on how Black and Brown students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined or denied supports. Skiba et al., 2011, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
- Employment & Work Programs: Information about employment programs for disabled adults and barriers to competitive employment. Social Security Administration – Ticket to Work, Kaye, 2010
- Early Intervention for Immigrant Families: Challenges immigrant families face accessing services for their disabled children. National Center for Family Professional Partnerships
- General Disability Advocacy & Resources: Practical guides for inclusion, accessibility, and advocacy. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
- Special Education Policy & Practice: How schools and states manage services, inclusion, and supports for students with disabilities. National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools
