If you follow our journey, it’s probably because you love watching Cooper learn, grow, and show his witty personality. But what if the programs that made that possible suddenly disappeared?

The reality is that the parent-child dynamic you see—the moments of connection, the progress, the confidence—didn’t just happen by chance. Many of the policies and programs that have shaped Cooper’s development are now being threatened, and that should matter to everyone who cares about inclusion and accessibility.

It’s Not Just Politics—It’s Personal

When I talk about these issues, it’s not about politics for me. It’s about the real, lived experiences of families like ours. There’s often a disconnect between celebrating and embracing who Cooper is while forgetting that his ability to thrive didn’t happen in isolation. It happened because of critical policies that provide support, access, and resources to kids like him.

Most of these policies originate from the U.S. Department of Education and exist to ensure that children with disabilities receive the support they need. Here are some of the most crucial ones:

1. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This law ensures that children with disabilities, including deaf and hard-of-hearing kids like Cooper, have access to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). It’s why Cooper receives:

  • Speech therapy
  • Sign language interpreters
  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Without these services, he would be trying to navigate a system that wasn’t designed for him. IDEA guarantees that the education system meets his needs rather than forcing him to fit into a one-size-fits-all model.

2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

This policy requires schools to provide accommodations for students with disabilities, including:

  • Interpreters
  • Captioning services
  • Assistive technology, such as his microphone system
  • Preferential seating in the classroom

Without Section 504, schools wouldn’t be legally required to provide these necessary tools, making learning environments far less accessible.

3. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Education doesn’t stop after high school, and neither do the needs of individuals with disabilities. The ADA ensures that accessibility extends beyond the classroom, guaranteeing that children like Cooper will continue to have communication access in higher education, workplaces, and public spaces.

4. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

Funding is the backbone of all these policies. OSEP provides funding to schools so they can hire teachers, interpreters, and specialists, ensuring that special education services remain available. This funding also supports programs like Foundations for Literacy, which is specifically designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in public schools.

5. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Even when policies exist, they aren’t always followed. The OCR is responsible for investigating discrimination cases and ensuring that students actually receive the services and accommodations they’re entitled to. Without it, families would have little recourse when schools fail to uphold accessibility laws.

Why This Matters for the Future

Special education policies and accessibility programs have been instrumental in Cooper’s journey from the time he was diagnosed as an infant. At just six weeks old, he was receiving early intervention services through our local school district. These programs have shaped his ability to communicate, learn, and thrive.

If these policies are cut, defunded, or rolled back, it won’t just be a political debate. It will impact real families, real children—including those who haven’t even been born yet. Every child deserves the same opportunities and access to education that Cooper has had.

If You Love the Outcome, Care About the Process

Cooper’s ability to flourish didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of decades of advocacy that led to policy changes, legal protections, and funding for special education programs.

So, if you love the outcome—if you love seeing kids like Cooper grow into confident, capable individuals—you should care about the process that made it possible. You should care about the policies that protect these rights and the tools that create access to education.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about one child—it’s about ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive.