Families across the country are sharing personal accounts of how systemic barriers have denied relatives with intellectual disabilities access to education for years—some well into adulthood. While one brother-in-law was excluded from traditional schooling until high school, another faced a 17-year wait before enrollment became possible, highlighting ongoing inequities in educational inclusion. Advocates say these experiences reflect broader failures to accommodate students with disabilities, leaving many behind despite legal protections. The stories underscore the need for systemic changes to ensure all learners receive opportunities to thrive.
Susan Popkin has a brother-in-law who was kept out of traditional education until high school. David Bateman has a brother-in-law who couldn’t enroll for the first 17 years of his life. These stories ...
