Testimony of James A. Witanek, January 18, 2006
Dear Members of the State Board if Education,
Please accept my statement letter as my public input about NJ IDEIA 2004 implementation. I am a Grandparent of two who have disabilities and are in special education. I am following closely the actions of the New Jersey Department of Education around the diminishing of rights of my grandchildren. Our children with disabilities are among the least powerful citizens and residents of this state and nation. They do not have large organizations with billions to hire lobbyists to sweet talk legislators on their behalf. The Abramoff scandal tells us just how that game works.
The politicians responded to organizations that do have such resources. You need to respond to the needs of the children instead.
The priorities of this nation that produced the devastating destruction of parent rights that are rolled into IDEIA 2004 are out of touch with its people. If you watched the woeful inadequacy of disaster response to the horrendous events in New Orleans you can tell that the needs of the people of this country are getting short shrift. Those that have power over the lives of our children are not looking out for our best interests.
You need to step in here. It is imperative for you to safeguard our vulnerable students from government neglect that produced the New Orleans disaster and is producing a different kind of disaster for children with disabilities in public education.
Just because the federal government says that states can diminish the rights of our children with disabilities does not mean that New Jersey needs to do it. Are we proud of being New Jersey residents? Are we proud of our state? Do we dare stand up to the bullies who lobbied against our children with disabilities? I say that we should.
I am supporter and signer of the petition at http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org . This petition drive comes out of a grassroots effort – it not a state or foundation funded effort. Thousands have signed. If there were a way to reach out to families of all 225,000 special education children in New Jersey – 90% of their parents would sign. The petition represents the sentiment of the parents and of New Jersey as a whole. I urge you to heed all 11 points of the petition. Respect the petition – every word.
Sincerely,
James A. Witanek
Carteret,
New Jersey
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An Evening of Educational Advocacy
September 8, 2005 Edison, NJ
What The Student Advocate Has Done for Our Children
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NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee
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Student Rights Radio
Discussion, October 31
Effort to
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IDEA: An Update
Dec. 5, 2005
Middletown
January 18,
2006: Hold a Candle Light for Our Children's Rights
50 Strong For Our
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No. Jersey Radio Interview Aired, 1/22
Petitioning for Rights Children: Legal in Princeton
Interview on NJ IDEIA Rights
- Racial Disparities in Sp-Ed
Call
is Heard in Montgomery Twp: Inclusive Recreation
NJSAU Minutes 2/18/2006
Playing and Singing for
Our Rights, 4/1/6
Better IDEA Laws for Special Education
Students?
Better IEPs? Anything is Possible!
April
1 Report: Student Advocacy Union - Fundraising Concert
Mobilization for Rights
of Our Children, May 17, 2006, Trenton
Nationwide Internet Radio Rally for Sp-Ed Parent Rights
9pm EST, Sat. May 20
Parents’ Rally @ Statehouse in Trenton Thursday, June 8, 2006
Piscataway Parents Mtg, June 19, 2006