Advocacy Creates Change: Why Your Voice Matters in Special Education

Special education has never been perfect — and it isn’t today. Across the country, there are systemic issues that can vary from state to state, district to district, or even school to school. Sometimes, it feels like the system wasn’t built to serve every child the way it should. But history reminds us of something powerful: change has only ever happened because people spoke up.

A History of Advocacy That Changed the Nation

Before children with disabilities had the right to attend public school, parents and disability advocates fought tirelessly for equality. The Capitol Crawl of 1990 is one of the most vivid examples. On March 12, dozens of disability rights activists left their wheelchairs and mobility aids and crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to demand passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That brave, visible act of advocacy is credited with pushing Congress to finally act.

Even earlier, sit-ins, protests, and legal challenges paved the way for IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to every child with a disability. These rights didn’t appear out of thin air. They were secured because parents and adults with disabilities refused to accept silence, exclusion, or injustice.

The Power of Parents Today

Fast forward to today. You may not be climbing the steps of the Capitol, but every time you raise your voice for your child — you are carrying forward that same legacy.

Maybe you’ve noticed:

- Your child’s needs aren’t being fully met.

- Services are being cut back without explanation.

- Placement or supports feel “one-size-fits-all.”

- Your concerns aren’t being taken seriously.

It’s easy to feel like one parent against a whole system. But history shows that one voice can create change. And when you advocate for your child, you’re not just shaping their education — you may be shaping opportunities for other children, too.

You Are Your Child’s First and Best Expert

No evaluation, no test score, no district policy will ever carry the insight that you bring as your child’s parent. Your voice matters because you know your child best.

Advocacy doesn’t always mean confrontation. Sometimes, it’s about persistence, documentation, and collaboration. But sometimes, it does mean refusing to accept “this is just how we do things” when it doesn’t serve your child’s needs.

The Call to Speak Up

Systemic change in special education has always begun with someone willing to speak out — whether for their own child, or for children across the nation. That someone could be you.

Your advocacy today ensures your child’s right to an education, and maybe even opens the door a little wider for the children who come after them.

You have the power to make a difference. Don’t let fear hold you back. Speak up. Your child deserves it.