08/25/2009

Champion of People With Disabilities Dies

By: Kyle J. Walker, URA President 


 


On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the consummate Congressional champion of children and adults with disabilities, passed away.Known to many as the Liberal Lion of the Senate, no one was more sincere about crossing the political aisle in the spirit of bipartisanship than Senator Kennedy.

 

President Obama called Senator Kennedy "Not only one of the greatest Senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans to ever serve democracy."One of his closest friends, Senator Orrin Hatch (R.UT.) said of his Congressional colleague:

 

"Today, America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant and a leader in the Senate, and I lost a treasured friend."

 

Forever at the forefront of the discussion and debate on ensuring the civil rights of children and adults with disabilities, Senator Kennedy forged partnerships with everyone he could in the Capitol and in our great country to ensure those rights were appreciated, respected and resulted in policies and legislation that were both bipartisan and benefited those who most needed representation in Congress -- children and adults with disabilities.When the Congress began discussions on the great civil rights law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Senator Kennedy and others, many of whom were inspired by the Senator, shepherded IDEA through the Senate.

 

During the discussions on a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all, Senator Kennedy, once again, was at the forefront of the debate.During sometimes spirited discussions on whom should comprise the IEP team, including the general education teacher, Senator Kennedy was there providing gifted guidance on the importance of diverse membership in this singularly important process for determining a student's progression.When some balked at the thought of an inclusive classroom for children and young adults with disabilities, Senator Kennedy and others made the case with and on behalf of parents and students with disabilities in both the Capitol and in our country that students with disabilities had the RIGHT to be educated with their non-disabled peers.

 

When it became increasingly apparent that the greatest country in the world -- the United States of America -- did not have an infrastructure that was accessible to all Americans -- Senator Kennedy and many others began a bipartisan journey that was to result in one of the greatest pieces of legislation to ever emerge from the Congress:  The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).