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By Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration
We are excited to share that AB 2189, the Statewide Special Education Parent Advocacy Collaborative, has successfully passed the Assembly and is expected to begin Senate committee hearings soon.
As the bill moves to the Senate, we need your help demonstrating the broad statewide support behind this important effort.
The Arc of California is proud to sponsor AB 2189, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen.
AB 2189 would create a statewide special education advocacy and leadership initiative that brings together parents, students, self-advocates, and community stakeholders to identify challenges, develop solutions, and strengthen California’s special education system. The bill would support parent leadership development, statewide collaboration, in-person convenings, and systems-level advocacy efforts across California.
This effort comes at a critical time.
Families continue to report challenges understanding their rights, navigating complex special education systems, and participating in statewide policy decisions that affect students with disabilities. At the same time, concerns about weakening federal oversight of IDEA and Section 504 have increased the importance of strong state level advocacy and accountability.
AB 2189 helps address these challenges by creating a coordinated statewide infrastructure focused on:
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- Parent and self-advocate leadership development
- Systems level special education advocacy
- Statewide collaboration among stakeholders
- Identifying and advancing solutions to improve outcomes for students with disabilities
- Ensuring families have a meaningful voice in education policy decisions in the California State Capitol.
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The bill has already generated significant support from parents, advocates, educators, disability organizations, and community leaders across California. More than 300 individuals signed on in support during the first week after the bill was introduced, and the coalition continues to grow.
Add Your Name in Support of AB 2189 Today!
Sign on Here: https://form.jotform.com/260500402597047
Whether you are a parent, student, educator, advocate, disability organization, or community member, your support can help build a stronger statewide voice for special education. By supporting AB 2189, you are helping strengthen family engagement, increase accountability, improve outcomes for students with disabilities, and create a network of informed advocates working to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.