This is a petition born out of personal suffering and frustration. As parents, we have felt the brunt of having a child with special learning needs. Our own journey has been marred by gaslighting, slander, and bullying at the hands of the school district, leaving us with two choices: accept the situation as it was or spend tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees. This system is unfairly catered towards those who can afford to fight back, ignoring the plight of those who can't.

The current parental rights for special education are discriminatory, particularly against disability and poverty. As it stands, schools may diverge from the agreed-upon Individualized Educational Program (IEP) contract, as well as make harsh, unjust decisions for the child regarding placement, with little to no consequence. This leaves the parents in a position where the only real means to fight for their child's rights is to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit against the district, an option that is not economically feasible for many. The districts, however, utilize taxpayer funds to hire their own expensive attorneys to fight against parents and their federal rights. 

In the US, there are over 7 million students receiving special education services as of 2019, a statistic that speaks to the urgency of this issue (National Center for Education Statistics). However, this problem affects the most vulnerable populations who are already marginalized, exacerbating the systemic inequalities that persist in our society.

We need a reform that will rectify this blatant discrimination. Parents should have the right to fight for their child's needs without worrying about financial ruin. We must champion a system that gives all parents, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, the necessary legal tools to safeguard their child's educational rights. It is high time we advocate for a more equitable and just system. Please join us in this fight by signing this petition now.