Parents of kids with disabilities sue over Iowa ban on mask mandates

A group of 11 parents of students with disabilities has filed a federal lawsuit over Iowa’s ban on mask mandates in schools, arguing it endangers their health and denies equal access to education.

This adds to the pressure on Gov. Kim Reynolds after the U.S. Department of Education announced it is investigating whether Iowa's law and similar ones in four other states violate federal anti-discrimination laws.

The lawsuit is in conjunction with The Arc of Iowa and is backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). It is independent from another lawsuit over the ban filed by a Council Bluffs woman on Aug. 24, which is in district court.

The ACLU argues the ban on mask mandates violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act.

"The lack of universal masking as the CDC and most public health authorities recommend has made the school environment so dangerous that their children have effectively been excluded," said Susan Mizner, the director of the ACLU Disability Rights Program.

One of the plaintiffs, Heather Preston, has two kids who go to school in Des Moines. One of her sons has an organ disorder, which puts him at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19.

"For my son, going to school, where not everyone is wearing masks put him at a huge risk," Preston said. "Meanwhile, because of his needs, he needs to be learning in person."

Reynolds defended the law at a press conference Thursday, saying it lets parents choose whether their students should wear masks. She said those who feel unsafe in class also have the option to enroll in online-only programs.

[memphisriecks]

I have Disability like diabetes type one it's to make it you don't have to ware one but you can so you clearly didn't read the mandate did you if your sueing over it