Families across the country have faced long-standing barriers to education for loved ones with disabilities, with some individuals excluded from classrooms until well into adolescence—or entirely denied enrollment for decades. New research highlights how systemic inequities in special education policies have left many children and adults without access to learning opportunities, despite legal protections meant to ensure inclusion. Experts and advocates are calling for greater accountability in how schools identify and support students with disabilities, as personal accounts reveal the lasting impact of delayed or denied education. The findings underscore ongoing challenges in translating policy into practice for vulnerable populations.
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 ...
