Spotlight On Heidi Reichel

Today’s Disabilities Leadership Council spotlight is on Heidi Reichel, a registered special education teacher and educational consultant. She currently works with special needs students and instills in them the skills necessary to lead “self-sufficient, independent lives.” In a recent interview, Heidi discussed the problems that result from giving special education children extra, often unnecessary accommodations in schools. “Too little is expected of [special education children],” Heidi said, “They are given accommodations for things that can be taught, like learning how to work within a time frame.” She believes that schools often take the simplest route; they “reach for accommodations before they understand what limits the child.” Schools often restrict a student by not teaching or urging a child to learn. As Heidi said, “If there is something that says a child needs instructions explained, I want [the child] to have the goal to understand directions on their own. I don’t want to limit the children by not teaching them.”

However, Heidi does not oppose all accommodations offered. She simply feels that teachers should be certain that the child truly needs the accommodations before they are offered. Heidi explained that, “Theoretically, a school is supposed to find where the special education child stands with their abilities. Then, the school is supposed to make goals and determine what needs to be allowed for the student.” Despite the rules, schools often act prematurely and give children accommodations in class before their abilities are tested and compared with their peers’ skills. Parents also fight for accommodations for their children; they do not want their children to “get hurt or fail” in the mainstream classes.

According to Heidi, once special education children leave high school and prepare to enter the workforce, they realize the “crippling effects” of having too many accommodations. Often, the children cannot read or write well enough to construct a substantial résumé, or they find themselves unable to finish work on a specific deadline; they become “entitled” and cannot succeed in a world of deadlines and schedules. Heidi says that the best evidence to support her claims are the students she works with. “I have taken students who were in special education and helped them enter the mainstream classes, go to college, and lead a successful life,” she says. “In the same way that I can teach, these kids can learn.”

After years of lobbying for legislation to accommodate children with disabilities, the topic Heidi raises can potentially strike a nerve with parents. However as Heidi says, she “frequently get[s] support from parents she has worked with.” Heidi feels that the special education system is “far from flawless,” and though she does receive opposition from certain school districts, she believes that her points must be addressed. As Stuart Flaum, founder of the Disabilities Leadership Council says, “Heidi shares an interesting perspective on the subject of special education and the goal of the Council is to shed light on differing viewpoints. We don’t want to hide others’ opinions; we welcome and appreciate them.” To learn more about Heidi Reichel, please look at the blog entry below which further describes her opinions.