July 27, 2004

ROLLING AWAY

When the school bus rolls up to our driveway each morning, that little 2-3 minute interaction with the student transportation culture brings with it some of the most intense emotions of my day.

First, as the bus pulls up, I am so grateful that our family has had the opportunity to dialogue with the district about how to make the bus ride successful for our child. Second, when the friendly bus driver opens the door, there is always a kind and caring classmate coming down the stairs to help Nicholas to his seat and to sit next to him. The kids seem to naturally negotiate, on their own, who is designated to do this on any given day.

As the bus door closes, I reposition myself so that I can see the entire length of the long yellow bus and can wave goodbye to Nicholas and all of the other kids as it rolls away. I don’t turn around until I can no longer see the kids, because if I did, I’d be missing out on some of my favorite minutes of the day. These few minutes infuse my day with a feeling of joy and appreciation for everything that’s made these moments possible.

If I were not involved with IDEA reauthorization and the IEP process, I don’t think I’d appreciate the advocacy history at the federal and state levels that made a positive bus ride to school possible for my son who has disabilities. Since I do know the history, I am even more in awe of those very important few minutes each day, since I realize that families who now have adult children dedicated much of their young lifetimes to make this possible for my boy. Without the baseline protections afforded to us through strong advocacy efforts, there would be no bus ride like this one, since the notion of school would be very different. To all of the parents who made this bus ride possible, I send my heartfelt thanks.

My appreciation also extends to all of our readers for fighting for a better IDEA reauthorization. After reading thousands of Emails this past year related to this topic, it is clear that families are disappointed and dismayed that some of the fundamental tools needed to make positive days possible for students with disabilities are in serious peril (that is, assuming they are available at all, which for some families they still are not, due to poor implementation and enforcement of current law). What is most striking is the big dose of reality that families have gotten, the realization that the new IDEA may not improve the education setting and learning possibilities for all students with disabilities, and, on the contrary, that it may in fact seriously erode what we already have. What’s more, families are being forced to protect the ground that had been previously gained, including provisions that helped to level the playing field and allow basic human kindness and practices to prevail when dealing with students who need the extra compassion and help. The ground at risk is the baseline that helps schools sculpt the nascent public perception and treatment of people with disabilities and their families in general.

The Our Children Left Behind team cannot over-emphasize how important it is for you to carry your messages and stories to your legislators in your own states. Most of our legislators are going to be in their own states and districts over the next few weeks. If at all possible, please pay them a visit and share your stories. Also, if it is accurate to do so in the context of your own family’s situation, help your lawmakers begin to understand that this IDEA reauthorization is not going to improve the present situation for people with disabilities at all, and as a matter of fact, it will make an already difficult life for your student and family even more difficult.

During this election period, we may not all have big dollars to give, but we do have huge numbers! There are 6.5 million students who receive the services for which we are fighting. If the adults who have or care for kids with disabilities sent the message that this issue matters and that we vote, it could have a profound impact on the election outcomes and the power structure in D.C. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat; what matters is the message that you care about what’s happening. Disability is not a partisan issue, and we are at risk today because of some actions (or inactions) by members of both parties.

At a time in the history of the United States when a reauthorization of IDEA could make or break decades of progress for students with disabilities, I also look at that bus rolling away each morning and wonder how many more days I can rely on that experience being a reality for all of us, including the other kids who have learned so much about kindness and caring because of their experiences with my boy. I certainly hope that when I’m elderly some day, it will be some of those same kids who emerge as adult caregivers for me and others like me. They just “get it!” In sweeping ways, the culture of our schools and communities depend largely upon this legislation.

Please take advantage of these next few weeks to protect buses full of IDEA kindness and to keep them rolling with positive outcomes. Also, take a few moments to thank your courageous children for getting on that bus each day, entering those school doors, allowing us to share their very personal stories for the benefit of many, and making history of their own and for the benefit of future children, decades down the road. It is because of them that we gain the strength and find the stamina to keep this critical IDEA dialogue rolling along.