The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network |Take Action

Protect Florida's Students Against Abuse through Aversives, Restraint and Seclusions

To: Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education), Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education)

Started by: The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network

This action alert is designed to tell the Florida Department of Education that their proposed rule on the "Use of Reasonable Force" in the classroom is inadequate and inappropriate for the protection of students with and without disabilities in Florida.

The text of the rule can be found at: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=2&tid=6749859&type=1&File=6A-6.05271.htm

Sign the Letter

Withdraw and Revise the Proposed Rule "Standards for the Use of Reasonable Force"

Dear Ms. Abbott, Dr. Smith and Ms. Lockman,

I am writing to urge you to withdraw and revise the proposed rule "Standards for the Use of Reasonable Force" put forward by the Florida Department of Education. This rule fails to establish a strong standard to protect students. By allowing the use of force against students, both with and without disabilities, who do not pose a risk of harm against themselves or others and by failing to ban lethal practices such as prone and supine restraint, this rule places Florida's students in grave danger. By allowing the use of physical force justified on the vague standard of preventing a student from "disrupting the order of the classroom", this rule would run a serious risk of immunizing both intentional and unintentional abuse against Florida's students, particularly students with disabilities - such as those on the autism spectrum - who may have difficulty with communication. Furthermore, this rule does not establish a sufficient system of oversight and accountability even when the very lax standards it establishes are violated. We urge the Department to withdraw this rule and put forward a new one which would ban the use of restraint, seclusion and other forms of physical force except in proportionate response to prevent serious, imminent physical harm to the student or others. Furthermore, there must be additional efforts required by law to ensure accountability, oversight and prevention of these horrific practices.

[Your name here]

Sorry, the time period for signing this petition has ended.

Erin Gillitzer La Crosse, WI

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Sep 01
Robert Morency Reno, NV

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 25
Nan Bongiovanni San Diego, CA

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 24
Alexander Rockwood Bloomsburg, PA

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 24
Jason Bowman Sacramento, CA

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 20
Madeline Grimm

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 19
June Harrison Long Branch, NJ

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 17
Chason Flanders Tuscaloosa, AL

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 13
Tammy Campbell Pensacola, FL

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 13
Edward Craig Eugene, OR

Sent letter to Lynn Abbott (Florida Department of Education) , Dr. Eric Smith (Florida Department of Education) and Bambi J. Lockman (Florida Department of Education)

Aug 11