As parents of children with disabilities, you already know how hard you’ve worked to make sure your child gets the services, supports, and respect they deserve in school. You’ve attended IEP meetings, advocated for evaluations, and fought for therapies.
But right now, there’s something bigger threatening the support systems we’ve fought so hard for: proposed budget cuts to special education in Arizona.
At Stone Educational Advocacy & Consulting, we’re deeply concerned — and we want you to be informed, prepared, and empowered.
What’s Happening?
Arizona lawmakers are making tough choices to close a $1.4 billion budget deficit, and many of those decisions could directly impact your child’s education. While school voucher programs (like ESAs) are being funded at record levels, other critical areas, including special education, public schools, and developmental disability services, are facing cuts.
Here are just a few things currently on the table:
- Reductions in special education funding at the state level
- Proposed 25–50% cuts to the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), which could affect therapies like speech, OT, PT, and feeding support
- Strain on school districts, leading to potential layoffs of special education staff, including paraprofessionals (aides)
- Overburdened teachers, fewer resources, and delayed or reduced services for kids with IEPs
How This May Affect Your Child
Depending on the district and how the budget shakes out, you might see:
- Fewer therapists or specialists available for your child
- Increased delays in evaluations, IEP meetings, and service delivery
- Larger caseloads for special education teachers, meaning less individual attention for each student
- Staff cuts, especially paraprofessionals (who often work 1:1 with our kids)
- More pushback from schools about what services they “can” provide
In short, the system may say it’s stretched too thin to meet your child’s needs.
How Stone Educational Advocacy & Consulting Can Help
We’re here for families, especially when the system feels overwhelming or stacked against you.
We can help you:
- Understand your child’s IEP and rights under the law
- Prepare for IEP meetings or resolve conflicts with your district
- Advocate for your child during times of transition or reduced services
- Connect with other parents and advocacy resources
Now Is the Time to Speak Up
Parents have always been the fiercest advocates for kids with disabilities, and this is one of those moments where your voice really matters. Cuts to special education don’t just hurt programs. They hurt children.
If you’ve ever felt that the system isn’t doing enough for your child, imagine what happens when they have even less to work with.
Let’s raise our voices now — before these cuts become reality.
You can always reach out to us at Stone Educational Advocacy & Consulting for guidance and support.
480.973.3553