In several states, parents of children with disabilities sought temporary restraining orders to impede enforcement of state laws mandating and prohibiting mask requirements in public school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, parents claimed that universal mask mandates and state laws prohibiting enforcement of mask mandates in the public schools violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (RA) by failing to permit the provision of reasonable accommodations enabling their children to access education. This presentation will provide an overview of these COVID-19 related cases, primarily focusing on claims by advocates and parents of children with disabilities, that school systems, state legislation, and governors violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (RA). In addition, the panel of special education leaders and their doctoral advisor will share preliminary data gathered in focus group discussions with special education teachers from across a southern state that passed legislation prohibiting mask mandates in public schools.
- This event has passed.
Oct
27