is clearly more ethical than breaking students up, and forcing parents into community perceived DPN photoop and general education groups where their needs are not understood. Unfortunately, parents of disabled
parents report feeling unwelcome in the manner outlined above as long ago as 2011 and as recently as in the
last 180 days when parents came to a meeting room to find police present.
Suppressing parents voices, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidating parents is not in anyone’s best
interest. If the professional’s primary loyalty and commitment is to the child, then closing a school to shut
up special education parents who you don’t like is highly unethical.
Roberts created a strong beginning in retaliation. It has continued under every Emergency Manager and
through Detroit school management and continues today.
THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF NOT HAVING A VOICE OR METHOD OF REDRESS
Since so many of the parents volunteered and Oakman had trained teachers, someone students trusted was
never far away. At new schools, surrounded by general education students, the possibility of being bullied
or hurt, was real, so some parents report they tried to sign up for volunteer activities and were told their
application was lost and to apply again for another time period. Other parents say they were never given
notice of events like award ceremonies they wanted to attend. 143 The cold shoulder and being forced to
back off was difficult.
Disabled students have a wide range of abilities. Some need help with reading; some need help in the
bathroom. Letting go was difficult for both parents and students. We received complaints of parents from
different schools, different abilities, general and special