While much of the media focus on school closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been on general difficulties, there have been a few articles looking at the unique challenges to families with students with disabilities.
Erica Moser, writing for the Connecticut based The Day, looks at the struggles of several parents who are doing their best despite the difficulties. One interview quote from the article likely sums up many families’ experiences: “Parents are finding it difficult adjusting to their own work schedule while now trying to support their children’s instruction at home.”
Oakland based Mario Koran recently wrote about similar challenges in The Guardian. Koran’s piece also details issues with technology. More importantly, it looks at the struggles caused by the US Department of Education’s lack of leadership regarding the status of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during the crisis, and the role activists have played in demanding disability rights.Advocates and activists have been on the forefront of making demands like calling for no waivers during the pandemic.