Accessible Podcast is kicking off a new series call Hot Topics, where we dig into issues making headlines — and what they actually mean for people, families and communities.
In this episode, we talk to Robyn Linscott, Director of Education and Family Policy at The Arc of the United States — the country’s leading advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Drawing on her experience as a special education teacher, Capitol Hill staffer and advocate, Robyn offers a national perspective on how federal policy shapes special education across the country. She explains the role of the federal government in funding, enforcement and oversight through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and breaks down what recent federal changes — particularly within the U.S. Department of Education — could mean for students with disabilities, families and educators.
The conversation explores the disconnect between policy and classroom realities, the strain on school systems due to chronic underfunding, and the uncertainty created by shifting federal priorities. Robyn emphasizes the importance of maintaining federal protections while encouraging advocacy at every level to ensure students with disabilities continue to receive the supports they need.
Meet Our Guest
Robyn Linscott
Director of Education & Family Policy, The Arc of the United States
Robyn was a special education teacher for eight years in New York City before transitioning into the policy world. She served as a policy fellow and Legislative Assistant in then-Senator Kamala Harris’s office — focusing on education, health and disability. She has been leading education efforts at The Arc for the last four and a half years.
Episode Details
Key Takeaways
- The federal role in special education: funding, enforcement, and oversight
- Why IDEA remains foundational — and what it guarantees for students
- How chronic underfunding impacts schools, educators, and services
- The disconnect between policy decisions and classroom realities
- What recent changes at the Department of Education could mean
- Where pressure is showing up across the system
- Why advocacy matters at every level — from Congress to local school boards
Resources in this Episode
- The Arc of the United States
- The Arc Advocacy Center (Take Action)
- Overview of IDEA
- OSEP State Determinations
Acronym Guide
- IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- IEP: Individualized Education Program
- LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- OCR: Office for Civil Rights
- OSEP: Office of Special Education Programs
- UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities
