Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate,

We the Undersigned, respectfully ask that you do not confirm the appointment of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.

Ms. DeVos does not support the equal rights of students with disabilities to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education as outlined in IDEA. In fact, she has stated that she believes that the responsibility for the education of students with disabilities should be determined at the state level.

The impact of such an action would be profound and according to the National Center for Education Statistics would impact roughly 13 percent of the student population. The students receiving special education services are among the most vulnerable citizens of this country and are worthy of the same opportunities for receiving an education that every other American citizen has. Without the provisions outlined in IDEA, many of those students would be under-served or lose their opportunity for an education altogether.

We ask that you please act to protect the rights of students with disabilities and vote against the confirmation of Betsy DeVos.