Special Education in Focus – Recent Developments
October 20, 2025
Virtual Meeting | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Due to urgent developments in Special Education at the federal level impacting disability rights, we’re shifting focus for Monday’s VOICE Session.
Huge thanks to Matt Sturgeon for his understanding and flexibility!
OVERVIEW
On October 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced sweeping layoffs that have nearly eliminated two critical offices: the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). These cuts follow earlier reductions that already halved the Department’s workforce. The impact is profound—and deeply concerning for families, educators, and advocates in Ohio and across the country.
Join Aimee Gilman, a nationally recognized special education attorney from Agins & Gilman, LLC, for an urgent webinar that will unpack:
- What happened at the federal level and why it matters.
- What this means for Ohio’s students and adults with disabilities.
- What YOU can do to advocate for the restoration of these essential protections.
- YOUR questions, answered live.
WHY IT MATTERS
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—a law that has ensured educational access and equity for millions of children. Instead of celebrating progress, we are now facing a crisis that could unravel decades of hard-won inclusion and opportunity.
Together, we can raise our voices and protect the rights of Ohio’s disability community. Don’t miss this important conversation!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- Educators, therapists, and service providers
- Advocates and allies
- Anyone concerned about disability rights and education equity
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER?
Registration is required to receive virtual link. Please note, registration works best when using a desktop computer. If registering from a mobile phone, registration works best if using the Google Chrome browser and having the most recent version of the Teams app before registering.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact Theresa Maier, ASGA Support Specialist via email here or by phone at 330-940-1441 ext 1.
About the Speaker
Aimee Gilman, Esq.
Agins and Gilman, LLC
Aimee is a seasoned attorney with nearly 40 years of legal experience and a nationally recognized leader in special education law. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, she began her career in commercial litigation before shifting her focus in 1998 to advocating for children with special needs and their families. Aimee co-founded Special Education Services (SES), a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering parents, and later returned to private practice to continue her work in special education law.
She is actively involved in due process hearings and federal court proceedings and has lectured widely across Ohio—including at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Ohio Department of Education. As the parent of a child with autism, Aimee brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her advocacy. She is also the author of the long running “Lighter Side of Special Education” articles and was honored as a Woman of Valor for her service to Cleveland’s special needs community.
Aimee holds a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University and a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She is admitted to practice in Ohio and Florida, as well as multiple federal courts. She currently serves on the OCALI Advisory Board and is a member of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates).
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