Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1537217
barriers that may prohibit full participation in CTA and local chapter activities. "For example, how can our union support members who need sign language interpreters, or who are hard of hearing or visually impaired?" One in seven, or 14%, of California public school students currently receive disability services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), close to the 15% nationwide. IDEA was signed into law in 1975 and re-au- thorized in 1990 and 2004. While Congress committed to covering 40% of IDEA costs, it has never funded more than 17%. Advocacy groups such as the IDE A Alliance point out that full funding would bring $30 billion "As educators we focus on disability from a special education perspective — which is critically important — but not a lot beyond that." —Dr. Laurie Crawford, Stockton Teachers Assn. Dr. Laurie Crawford Disability Rights Movement: "Nothing About Us Without Us" T H E D I S A B I L I T Y R I G H T S M O V E M E N T is a civil rights movement that advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. It aims to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and freedom from discrimination for individuals with disabilities. The movement has led to major legislative changes, like the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability in various areas of public life, and the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. For more information about the movement, visit carsplus.org. Disability Pride Month T H I S A N N U A L C E L E B R A T I O N takes place in July. It is rooted in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions and identities of people with disabilities. It's a time to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusion and work toward greater equality for individuals with disabilities. The 2025 theme, chosen by The Arc's National Council of Self-Advocates, is "We Belong Here, and We're Here to Stay," emphasizing the vital role of people with disabilities in our communities. The Disability Pride Flag is composed of a number of colors that are of great significance: • Charcoal gray background: In memory of the victims of ableist abuse and violence, including children or those killed, suicides or individuals who suffered from negligence • Diagonal band: Cutting across the barriers blocking people with disabilities from full participation, integration and inclusion in society • Red stripe: Physical disabilities (chronic pain/ fatigue, mobility impairment, loss of limbs) • Gold stripe: Neurodivergence (autism, ADHD, dyslexia) • White stripe: Undiagnosed and invisible disabilities • Blue stripe: Psychiatric disabilities (depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc.) • Green stripe: Sensory disabilities (hearing loss, visual impairments, etc.) 26 cta.org Advocacy