As the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) marks its 50th anniversary, ABILITY Magazine interviewed education rights attorney Jennifer Chang to examine how the law’s promise is holding up for students with non-visible disabilities. The article also includes insights from Senator Ed Markey, a longtime congressional champion of IDEA, emphasizing the national significance of the issues Jennifer confronts daily in her legal practice. The conversation comes at a critical moment, as federal oversight and resources that support IDEA enforcement continue to erode.
In the interview, Jennifer shares that students with non-visible disabilities, such as dyslexia, autism, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders, remain among the most overlooked in the education system. She draws on both her professional work and her personal experience growing up with an undiagnosed learning disability. “The American education system was not built to recognize students with non-visible disabilities. I know this because I lived it,” she explains. Today, Jennifer represents families whose children are denied evaluations, services, or accommodations guaranteed under IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Recent reductions at the U.S. Department of Education have directly affected the services and enforcement of services related to the same guaranteed accommodations, making it even harder for families to seek accountability when schools fail to meet their legal obligations. Cuts to teacher training, parent support programs, and special education research have further strained a system already struggling to keep pace with growing needs. These systemic concerns echo the warnings of Senator Markey, who has been outspoken in opposition to efforts to dismantle public education, adding weight to the real-world challenges Jennifer sees across school districts.
“Rights exist on paper, but without resources and enforcement, families are left fighting an uphill battle. When federal oversight disappears, so does accountability.”
As policymakers debate changes to IDEA’s oversight and funding, Jennifer emphasizes that legal protections alone are insufficient. Meaningful access to education depends on early identification, trained educators, effective enforcement, and informed families. Her interview with ABILITY Magazine highlights what is at stake for students with disabilities and why continued vigilance is essential to preserving IDEA’s impact for future generations.
Jennifer Chang is a Los Angeles-based education rights attorney known for her work protecting the rights of students with disabilities and advocating for those with non-visible learning differences.
Click here to read Jennifer’s full interview.