HECSE Policy Statement on Legislative Visits
When HECSE members are in Washington, DC we encourage them to visit with representatives from their Congressional delegation. The purpose of these visits is to educate and inform legislators and their staff about issues related to providing an effective education for children and youth with disabilities, and recruiting, preparing, and retaining special education teachers and leadership personnel. It is important for HECSE members to help policy makers understand how federal policy affects students with disabilities and their teachers in their state and local communities. These legislators, in turn, can provide HECSE members with valuable information about upcoming education initiatives. It is through ongoing information exchange and collaborative dialogue that effective legislation for students with disabilities, their families, and their teachers emerge.

Download this HECSE Policy Statement

Contacting Congressional Representatives
Advocacy is vital to the HECSE mission. You can make a difference programs and services provided to individuals with exceptionalities and their families and the training and supports provided for the professionals who serve them by advocating for changes in the laws and regulations that govern special education and disability services. Online tools make it easy to locate your elected congressional representatives and write to them.

Use the following tools to contact your Congressional Representative:

• Senate
  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• House of Representatives
  https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml