Arizona Education Agency Finds ASDB Violated Federal Disability Law Affecting Student Placement
The Arizona State Department of Education has determined that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) violated federal disability law by restricting placement options for students. This decision came as ASDB prepared to close its Tucson campus and relocate to Oro Valley, affecting blind and low-vision students, as well as those residing in school dorms. The department's July 10 letter to ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman highlighted that families were not provided with all placement options for the upcoming school year, contravening the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The state has appointed a special monitor to oversee corrective actions, and ASDB has until August 28 to respond. The University of Arizona's Education Advocacy Clinic has been involved in supporting affected families, emphasizing that decisions should be based on individual student needs rather than administrative convenience. 
