My autistic, non-verbal child was beat up at  school in the classroom. There was blood in his hair, several scratches on his face, and a purple ear. When I confronted the school, they said there was a period of time the kids were not being watched and another kid was beating my child. I immediately took my son to urgent care where the doctor was equally shocked. I reported the incident to school police, yet my child could not communicate what had occurred in the classroom. This incident highlights an urgent issue in Nevada's special education system: our most vulnerable children, who are non-verbal, lack the means to express when they are hurt or sense danger.

This heartbreaking situation is not unique. Many parents of children with special needs share stories of unexplained injuries and incidents that go unreported due to a lack of oversight and transparency in classrooms. Given that these children cannot advocate for themselves, it becomes critically important for us to take action to ensure their safety.

Placing cameras in special needs classrooms would provide an objective record of classroom activities, ensuring transparency and accountability. It would deter potential incidents, provide evidence if an incident does occur, and assure parents that their children are safe and well-cared for. Opponents may argue that installing cameras could infringe on privacy, but the need to protect our children outweighs such concerns. Other states have already implemented similar measures and have seen positive outcomes.

We are calling on the Nevada State Department of Education to mandate the installation of surveillance cameras in all special needs classrooms across the state. We must act now to safeguard children who are unable to express their concerns or report incidents themselves.

Please sign this petition to help protect our vulnerable children and ensure a safe and secure learning environment for those who need it most.