In Podcast 1A, special education experts were interviewed about how kids with specialized learning tracks are being educated remotely because of Covid. In this podcast we learn that kids with IEP tracks are not provided with resources they need in order to learn because of Covid. Schools that are operating remotely are saying that they can not accommodate these specialized tracks. Schools that have reopened, kids with disabilities are still excluded from attending school, because of medical conditions and the risk of exposure is too high. This leaves a lot of parents in a dilemma trying to educate their kids with special needs, and also work. Many parents are essential workers. For many families this is not a reality. There is a high risk for kids with special needs to regress in their education. In order for them to learn and thrive they need the special services that they would receive before Covid. These resources are not being provided now. We also see this with communities that do not have access to technology needed for remote learning. We see here that Covid is disproportionately affecting the education of kids that need special education. Kids with special needs are also seeing mental health issues because of this education dilemma. Many kids are not getting the social interaction they need. The struggle to learn can also affect their mental health. (Maggie Linehan)
