Lee Ann Wentzel, the superintendent of the Ridley School District in Pennsylvania, said her staff had been reviewing thousands of records, connecting with hundreds families and finding creative ways to offer one-on-one services like speech therapy through platforms like Google Hangouts.

But, she conceded, “even with accessibility devices, there are some times when features will come up short for some children.”

“We have to acknowledge the fact that we’re not going to be 100 percent compliant, and not for not trying,” she continued. “But we decided to do what’s best for all kids.”

But parents and special education advocates fear the waivers could mark the beginning of the end of student disability rights.

Ms. Gratzer said she did not expect the same level of services that her son received in school. He could not see let alone follow what was happening on the screen during a recent meeting over Zoom, she said. But she said she hoped to take advantage of a benefit under the virus relief law that required schools to make up for lost time.

“It’s easy to do what they want and steamroll right over our kids,” Ms. Gratzer said. “My fear is that while parents like myself are trying to survive, people like Betsy DeVos will be out there pulling the rug from underneath us.”

The stimulus bill provision gave Ms. DeVos 30 days to submit recommendations for any waivers from the law she believes are necessary. Angela Morabito, an Education Department spokeswoman, said the department was reviewing the congressional request, “and will respond as appropriate.”