U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) have introduced the Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act to ensure schools and educators have the resources they need to support children with disabilities and continue compliance with federal disability education laws.

The legislation would provide critical funding to assist schools in their mission to fully support students with disabilities with individualized services that are tailored to meet the needs of each student and uphold their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the congress members said.

“Students with disabilities have always been among the most vulnerable in our educational system, but now with the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of these students falling behind is even greater,” Schiff said. “We must ensure that schools have the resources they need to support students with disabilities and continue to provide them with the high-quality education they deserve.”

The Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act will provide $11 billion for state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, $1.2 billion for early childhood education programs and $55 million under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

“This pandemic has caused significant learning challenges for children with disabilities in our nation. Our education systems are in need of substantial funding and resources to support our students in special education,” Johnson added. “That is why I am proud to lead the Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act with my colleague Congressman Adam Schiff. This bill will make sure that our hardworking educators receive support during this challenging time, so that students with disabilities receive the same quality education as their peers.”

The legislation is also supported by the Los Angeles Unified School District. 

“Young learners, students with learning differences and disabilities and those who were struggling in the classroom before school facilities were closed are facing real challenges with online learning while schools are closed,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Congress made a commitment to students with differences and disabilities many years ago when it passed IDEA but it has never fully funded the need. This legislation is an important step to properly fund IDEA. The funding proposed by Rep. Schiff and other members of Congress would provide much needed resources to support students with disabilities.”

For information, visit schiff.house.gov.