1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Parents are understandably upset over Senator George Lang's insensitive comments about the costs of educating students with disabilities. His remarks insinuating that parents of children with special needs don't value education as highly as other parents are deeply offensive and misinformed. All students, regardless of ability, deserve equal access to a high-quality education. The Senator's statement reflects a concerning lack of understanding about the challenges and additional resources required to properly support students with disabilities. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigma. As an elected official, he has a responsibility to be inclusive and advocate for the educational rights of all children in the community he serves. Rather than making uninformed assumptions, Senator Lang should engage directly with parents, educators and disability advocates to learn about their experiences and perspectives. An open dialogue could foster greater empathy and inform more enlightened policymaking to ensure every student receives the support they need to thrive academically. Public officials must lead with compassion and commit to policies that create equitable opportunities, not divide constituents.