The founder of the Arizona Autism Charter Schools network has been appointed to a new role with the Trump administration.
Diana Diaz-Harrison created the network as a tuition-free option for children with autism and related conditions. On Saturday, she’ll be moving to Washington, D.C., to fulfill her new role as the deputy assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services.
She said she wants to update policies to allow for more school choice, especially for families of children with special needs.
“I think there’s a growing demand across the nation to have more autism-focused schools or schools that specialize in dyslexia or other learning needs that historically have had a hard time being served in typical traditional schools," Diaz-Harrison said.
Part of her job will be overseeing the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which she wants to assure families isn't going anywhere.
“I’m just excited to have a voice at a national level for special needs families who are worried and concerned about what’s going to happen since the department is being restructured and different functions are moving to different sectors," Diaz-Harrison said.
She said that means making sure states have the funding necessary to offer quality programs to the growing number of students with special needs.
