The majority of civil rights complaints for students with disabilities are now being dismissed without a full investigation due to mass layoffs in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed our fears.
According to the report, OCR received more than 9,000 discrimination complaints between March and September of 2025 and dismissed 70% of them without a full review. Nearly 40% of complaints involve disability.
As The Arc pointed out, “When complaints are not reviewed, students’ rights exist on paper but are not protected in real life at school.” ISBA is grateful to The Arc for their leadership.
ISBA urges the public to contact their US Senators at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to call for the reinstatement of the 250 OCR staffers let go in 2025.
Families of children with spina bifida already work hard to navigate medical, educational, and accessibility challenges. When schools do not follow disability laws, families often turn to OCR as a last line of support. When complaints are not fully reviewed, students with spina bifida may lose access to critical supports such as classroom accommodations, accessible materials, protection from bullying, and fair discipline practices. These supports are not extras; they are essential for helping students succeed in school, build independence, and prepare for adulthood.
When federal oversight weakens, it doesn’t just affect individual families. Schools also lose clear guidance about their responsibilities, which can lead to confusion, conflict, and delays in getting students the help they need. Unfortunately, when problems drag on, students lose valuable learning time that they cannot get back.
The Illinois Spina Bifida Association supports efforts to strengthen OCR staffing and ensure complaints are reviewed fairly and thoroughly. Families deserve transparency, clear communication, and confidence that when their child’s rights are violated, there is a reliable process to address those concerns.
Call your US Senators and ask they fight to restore OCR staff so families and children have procedural safeguards for their rights with IEPs and 504 plans.
ISBA remains committed to advocating for students with spina bifida and all individuals with disabilities. Strong enforcement of disability rights helps ensure every child has equal access to education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Becky Ziegler Rupnick, ISBA Board Chair