Support Safe & Consistent School Transportation for Children of Parents with Disabilities
Support Safe & Consistent School Transportation for Children of Parents with Disabilities
The Issue
Since 2020, I’ve been fighting the same fight. As a parent living with Usher syndrome --a rare genetic condition causing progressive vision and hearing loss-- I am unable to safely drive or walk my three young children to school. I’ve asked my school district to provide bus transportation for my children — not as a favor, but as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Every year, I’m told no. Every year, my kids are left without the equal access they deserve. And every year, my family is forced to navigate unnecessary hardship to get to school — something many families never have to think twice about.
Despite our pending federal lawsuit against the district since 2023; we submitted another request on June 2nd for the upcoming school year. The district’s attorney told us to come back in August when bus routes were finalized. We've met with the Board of Education on July 29th to publicly make our request known as well. It’s August now, and I am here asking for action — not another delay.
This Is About More Than Just My Family:
The ADA was designed to remove barriers for people with disabilities so we can participate fully in public life. That includes parents being able to get their children to school safely and consistently. Yet across the country, families like mine are still fighting just to receive an accommodation like this. Some have even resorted to homeschooling because there isn't another viable option for their child to access public education!
If my district does the right thing, we can set an example that ripples far beyond Middletown, New Jersey. This fight could inspire policy changes nationwide, ensuring that parents with a disability can count on transportation support for their children, without having to beg or battle year after year.
How You Can Help:
Your signature sends a message to my district, and to school districts across the country, that communities will stand up for fairness, accessibility, and equal opportunity. By standing together, we can create lasting change for families like mine — here at home and nationwide.
17,354
The Issue
Since 2020, I’ve been fighting the same fight. As a parent living with Usher syndrome --a rare genetic condition causing progressive vision and hearing loss-- I am unable to safely drive or walk my three young children to school. I’ve asked my school district to provide bus transportation for my children — not as a favor, but as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Every year, I’m told no. Every year, my kids are left without the equal access they deserve. And every year, my family is forced to navigate unnecessary hardship to get to school — something many families never have to think twice about.
Despite our pending federal lawsuit against the district since 2023; we submitted another request on June 2nd for the upcoming school year. The district’s attorney told us to come back in August when bus routes were finalized. We've met with the Board of Education on July 29th to publicly make our request known as well. It’s August now, and I am here asking for action — not another delay.
This Is About More Than Just My Family:
The ADA was designed to remove barriers for people with disabilities so we can participate fully in public life. That includes parents being able to get their children to school safely and consistently. Yet across the country, families like mine are still fighting just to receive an accommodation like this. Some have even resorted to homeschooling because there isn't another viable option for their child to access public education!
If my district does the right thing, we can set an example that ripples far beyond Middletown, New Jersey. This fight could inspire policy changes nationwide, ensuring that parents with a disability can count on transportation support for their children, without having to beg or battle year after year.
How You Can Help:
Your signature sends a message to my district, and to school districts across the country, that communities will stand up for fairness, accessibility, and equal opportunity. By standing together, we can create lasting change for families like mine — here at home and nationwide.
17,354
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Petition created on August 12, 2025