[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Secretary o f Education Nominee Betsy DeVos’ Remarks Regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

[Danielsen, Chris]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
National Federation of the Blind Comments on 
Secretary of Education Nominee Betsy DeVos’ 
Remarks Regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Baltimore, Maryland (January 18, 2017): The 
National Federation of the Blind, the nation's 
leading advocate for the equal education of blind 
students, commented today on responses given by 
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for 
Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, at her 
confirmation hearing yesterday regarding the 
obligations of schools under the federal 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: "The National 
Federation of the Blind believes that all blind 
students, regardless of where they attend school, 
are entitled to equal educational opportunities, 
and that the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act and its implementing regulations 
are clear on this point. Sadly, all too often 
schools across the country fail to meet their 
federal obligations to the blind and other 
students with disabilities, and so it is critical 
that the Department of Education continues to 
enforce IDEA's requirements. We therefore call 
upon Betsy DeVos to publicly commit that she 
will, if confirmed, vigorously enforce IDEA and 
take all other necessary measures to protect the 
rights of students who are blind or who have 
other disabilities throughout our nation. As a 
father of two blind children and President of the 
National Federation of the Blind, I am well aware 
that innovation is sorely needed in educational 
services provided to blind children, and we are 
prepared to work closely with our nation’s 
educational leaders to raise the standards of 
excellence for the blind in our schools.”

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that 
blindness is not the characteristic that defines 
you or your future. Every day we raise the 
expectations of blind people, because low 
expectations create obstacles between blind 
people and our dreams. You can live the life you 
want; blindness is not what holds you back.
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