To everyone who signed and shared our petition to protect nonverbal children:
As the new school year approaches, we have reached a critical moment.
Over the past several weeks, information about Texas Education Code §29.022 has been sent directly to Texas lawmakers, urging them to help notify families that video surveillance in certain special education classrooms is generally not automatic. In many cases, parents must submit a written request to activate this protection.
Many families remain completely unaware of this law.
That means countless nonverbal autistic students and other communication-disabled children could begin the school year without a safeguard that already exists under Texas law simply because no one informed their parents.
We asked legislators to help answer several important questions:
• How many eligible classrooms currently have cameras?
• How many parents know they must submit a written request?
• How are districts notifying families of this right?
• Are schools proactively informing parents before school begins?
• How many requests are never made because parents do not know the law exists?
We also requested that lawmakers share educational materials with constituents and encourage local media coverage before students return to school.
If you have a child receiving special education services in Texas, do not wait.
You can submit a written request today.
Template:
Subject: Request for Video Surveillance Equipment Under Texas Education Code §29.022
Dear Principal,
I am the parent/guardian of __________________, who receives special education services at __________________ School.
Pursuant to Texas Education Code §29.022, I am requesting the installation and operation of video and audio surveillance equipment in the special education classroom(s) or setting(s) where my child regularly receives services.
Please treat this as my formal written request under Texas Education Code §29.022 and provide confirmation that this request has been received and forwarded to the district administrator responsible for coordinating compliance with the statute.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate written acknowledgment of receipt.
Sincerely,
Parent/Guardian Name: __________________
Student Name: __________________
School: __________________
Email: __________________
Phone: __________________
Date: __________________

Please share this information with every Texas parent, educator, advocate, and disability organization you know. Awareness is the difference between having this protection and never knowing it was available.
Our children cannot report what happens to them. Adults must act before the school year begins.
Thank you for standing with vulnerable students and their families.
#TexasSpecialEducation #IEP #TexasParents #AutismParent #DisabilityRights #StudentSafety #ParentAdvocacy #SchoolAccountability #ProtectOurKids #KnowYourRights