Disability Rights Florida has joined a broad coalition of national, state, and local disability, civil rights, and education organizations today in signing a joint statement calling for an immediate reversal of recent layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education. The statement urges the Administration and Congress to restore staffing and transparency, so federal offices that protect students and people with disabilities can continue their work.
The layoffs have hit offices that provide critical oversight and support for students with disabilities, including the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It's been reported that these cuts leave only a small fraction of the staff who oversee important programs and civil rights enforcement — undermining the Department’s ability to manage grants, offer technical assistance, and ensure compliance with federal law.
Why this matters
- Federal staff provide guidance, monitor state and district compliance, and help fix systemic problems that keep students with disabilities from accessing a free, appropriate public education. Without those staff, states, schools, and families will face greater uncertainty and fewer federal resources to rely on.
- The cuts also affect vocational rehabilitation oversight and other programs that support employment and independence for people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Florida is adding its name to the coalition statement to lend our voice to calls for restoring federal capacity to enforce and support disability-related education and employment programs. We have signed this joint statement and will continue to press for immediate action that protects rights and supports families and students.
“Families and educators rely on clear federal guidance, oversight, and technical help to make IDEA and other laws work in real classrooms and communities,” said Disability Rights Florida’s Executive Director Cherie Hall. “We are joining this coalition because strong, accountable federal leadership is essential to protect students’ access to education and to support people with disabilities on the path to employment and independence.”
What you can do
- Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators and ask them to support restoring Department of Education staffing and oversight capacity.
- Share this article and the coalition statement with family members, educators, and local groups.
Read the letter