The Minnesota Department of Education recently commissioned BrightWorks to facilitate the new legislative mandates under the READ Act 2.0, bringing a significant stride toward equitable education.

Under the new legislation, our state must create a Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Working Group to actively work to address the unique needs of students and educators who face challenges with sound-based learning approaches. This initiative, part of the broader READ Act, seeks to ensure inclusive legislative updates. BrightWorks staff Kayna Plaisted and Ingrid Aasan are honored to facilitate this historical work.

Formed with a commitment to improving educational outcomes, the Working Group is focused on creating a comprehensive report for legislators. This report will outline recommendations to enhance educational access and quality by identifying adaptations, modifications, and alternatives to the sound-based approaches found within the READ Act's required screeners, professional development, and approved curriculums.

The legislation identifies the representative members of the working group who will collaborate over the next few months to concentrate on the report's content. To explore the essential components of the READ Act in greater depth, the overall working group has established focus groups dedicated to exploring recommendations for screeners, professional development, and curriculum.

The anticipated report to legislators is not just a document; it's a pivotal step toward fostering an educational landscape that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity. To date, there does not seem to be any work that parallels Minnesota's efforts to include these populations in statewide legislation like this. Through this initiative, the READ Act Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Working Group is not just laying the groundwork, but it's paving the way for a future where all students can thrive.