For children with special needs, an IEP or 504 plan is far more than a piece of paper—it is the blueprint for building a strong educational foundation. I know this firsthand.
I was a child who had an IEP, and I thrived because of it. Later, I had a 504 plan and used those accommodations to succeed not only in high school, but through my undergraduate degree and my master’s. When the foundation is strong, there is no limit to what a child can achieve.
But now, as a parent who briefly had a child in a SPED program, I have seen too many violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and widespread noncompliance with 504 plans. Every week, I hear from parents across Central Illinois who are misled about their child’s rights—where IEPs are treated as a matter of convenience for the district, not a legal promise to the child.
Enough. This blog is a place to share what I’ve learned, to shine light on the laws and rules being broken, and to unite parents on both sides of the river. Together, we can demand change, hold districts accountable, and create SPED programs where every child is given the tools to succeed.
The law is on our side. Now, we have to make sure it’s enforced.
- Lady Justice
