| A provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed that requires the U.S. Department of Education to issue recommendations 30 days from March 27 to Congress on what wavier authority the Department should be granted under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Voc Rehab). This means that some of the protections mandated by these laws could be waived during this time when our children are some of the most vulnerable. The provision in the CARES Act does not provide any immediate waiver authority to the Department, and Congress would have to act to provide any such waiver authority. However, we are concerned about what waiver authority the Department may recommend and need your help to begin to educate Members of Congress about why waiving requirements under IDEA or the Rehabilitation Act will be harmful to children and individuals with disabilities. It makes common sense to relax some regulations in order to help our government run smoothly during a pandemic; however, because of past actions of the current administration, we are concerned that the regulations that might be waived are crucial to the core values of IDEA. Reach out: Please contact your member of Congress TODAY and 1. Educate them that the Department is going to issue these recommendations by the end of this month. 2. Let them know you oppose any waiver authority for IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act. Follow up:After contacting the office, ask for the contact information of the staffer that handles education and ask that they consider this request. Due to many Congressional staff working remotely, you may need to leave a voicemail as well. | 
