Celebrating 50 years of IDEA!
On November 29, 1975 President Ford signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law.
IDEA guaranteed children with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
The IDEA toolkit has been designed to give you tools and resources to help you celebrate IDEA in your school.
Eight reasons the IDEA should remain at the Department of Education
Abe Saffer, Federal Affairs 10/24/2025
Join the AOTA for a panel discussion:
IDEA at 50: How the Past Informs the Future
Live Online Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 7:30 pm–8:30 pm EST
Update about the Budget Reconciliation Bill
Congress Passes the Final Version of One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Impact on Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Students | AOTA
On July 4th, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law. This sweeping legislation has major implications for occupational therapy practitioners, occupational therapy students and our clients www.aota.org
Schools and Early Intervention
Victory! Section 504 is safe!
Abe Saffer, Federal Affairs 5/13/2025
Current school-based legislative info
Recently, Abe Saffer, AOTA Lobbyist provided a brief update with the following resources.
A recent Executive Order has proposed eliminating the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As occupational therapy practitioners supporting children and youth, it’s important to understand how this could impact services like special education funding, equitable access to education, and policy alignment for students with diverse needs.
Another reduction in force at the Department of Education: What it means for OTPs
Abe Saffer, MPM 10/15/2025
Stay Informed:
Take Action:
Your voice matters! Use AOTA’s advocacy tool to share your perspective with Members of Congress and highlight the importance of the Department of Education in supporting children and youth.
Resources to help OTPs ADVOCATE
- AOTA Advocacy News
- AOTA Legislative Action Center (Email Your Officials)
- Track State Level Regulatory & Legislative Issues
- School-Based/Early Intervention Advocacy Resources
- Ways To Be An OT Advocate
- Every Day Advocacy Decision Guide
- Ways To Get Involved
- Six reasons why the Department of Education Should Not be Dismantled
- Advocacy Alert: Protect the Department of Education – Contact Congress Today
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OT Practice Magazine Capital Report
AOTA advocacy in the new congress and administration
Heather Parsons, Volume 30 • Issue 5 • May 2025, pp. 6-8 05/01/2025