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Support A Statewide Special Education Parent Collaborative in California – Help Pass AB 2189!

By Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration

AB 2189 by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen – a bill that would create a Statewide Special Education Parent Advocacy Collaborative – will be heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday, June 29, 2026. We need your help to show lawmakers that families, self-advocates, and disability organizations support this important bill.

What Would AB 2189 Do?

It would establish a statewide Special Education collaborative, and bring together parents, self-advocates, community organizations and decision makers in the special education space from across California to identify challenges in special education, share solutions, and help improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

AB 2189 would create a statewide network that helps ensure the voices of families and students are heard at the state level and that policymakers in Sacramento receive direct feedback about what is working and what needs to improve.

This bill is an important investment in parent and self-advocate leadership, family engagement, and better educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

How Can You Support AB 2189?

1) Submit a Letter of Support to the California Senate Human Services Committee by June 22.

Support Letter Templates:

      • Click HERE for Individuals
      • Click HERE for Organizations

How to Submit Your Letter:

You may upload your letter directly through the California Legislature Position Letter Portal: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/

Or, if you would like assistance, email your signed letter to: info@thearcca.org and The Arc of California can submit your support letter to the Legislature on your behalf.

2) Attend the Hearing and Show Your Support

We encourage parents, self-advocates, family members, educators, service providers, and disability organizations to attend the hearing in person and provide a simple “Me Too” statement of support for the bill.

HEARING INFORMATION

Date: Monday, June 29, 2026   |  Time: 3:00 PM, or later   |  Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200, Sacramento, CA

Speaking in support is easy. When called, you can simply state your name, your connection to the disability community or the organization you represent and say, “I support AB 2189.”

The committee agenda will be posted here when available: https://shum.senate.ca.gov/agenda

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

AB 2189 was developed because families and self-advocates know firsthand the challenges students with disabilities face in the special education system. The more voices lawmakers hear from, the stronger our message becomes.

Please submit a support letter, attend the hearing if you can, and share this action alert with others who care about improving special education in California.

Help Us Build a Stronger Voice for Special Education in California: Add Your Name in Support of AB 2189

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:

      • 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.

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.

California Disability Rights Advocate Nicole Adler Makes Special Vow for Disability Pride Month

Nicole Adler is a two-time Governor appointed Council Member for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and is also a speaker and disability rights advocate. In honor of Disability Pride Month, Nicole recorded a special message about what disability pride means to her, and takes a vow to accept others for their uniqueness and exactly how they are without judgement or labels. “Diversity is what makes the world a more beautiful place,” Nicole said.  She suggests that others make a similar vow and commitment to supporting  diversity and total acceptance.

“Love has the power to change the world. Join me in creating a love revolution and show your disability pride!” Nicole added.

Click HERE to watch video!

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