Understood.org unveils "Zero Reject," a limited-series podcast investigating threats to special education in the United States

• On June 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education began the process of dismantling itself and shifting oversight of special education between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice.
• In the 2020–21 school year, 8.4 million public school students had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan — 17% of all public school students.¹
• The first two episodes of "Zero Reject" launched September 29, with new episodes dropping weekly.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Understood.org, a nonprofit supporting people navigating neurodivergence, announced the launch of "Zero Reject: The Uncertain Future of Special Education," a new limited-series investigative podcast. Hosted by award-winning education journalist Anya Kamenetz, the series examines what families endure to secure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and what's at stake now that the Department of Education began the process of dismantling itself and shifting oversight of special education to other federal agencies.

"Special education is not just a family issue. It is a civil right," said Kamenetz. "A free public education is every child's right, and it's our nation's loss when any child is not enabled to achieve their goals. So many parents told me the same thing: Even when they know the law is on their side, getting appropriate and quality education still feels like a lonely, uphill fight."

The series' title, "Zero Reject," refers to a principle protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law guarantees that no child can be denied a public education because of their disability or behavioral challenges, no matter how severe. IDEA protects students with a wide range of needs, including physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. That includes conditions like ADHD, dyslexia and autism.

Across six 30-minute episodes, Kamenetz combines investigative reporting with firsthand stories of parents and educators navigating the education system, plus insights from advocates and policymakers working to change it. Along the way, "Zero Reject" examines the civil rights history behind today's protections, recent shifts in federal policy, and how emerging technology is shaping what comes next for special education.

In a new survey of parents, Understood.org found that more than half (52%) didn't know special education oversight has moved to a different federal agency. Most expect real consequences: 73% of parents believe the changes will affect the quality of their child's education, and 44% expect that impact to be significant. For parents of children with IEPs or 504 plans, this rises to 87%, with more than half (54%) expecting the impact to be significant.

"Advocating for your child's rights has always been hard. Now, policy changes and the challenge of finding clear, reliable information make it even harder," said Laura Key, vice president of content strategy at Understood.org. "Anya knows how to dig into complex issues and make sense of them in a clear, approachable way — which is core to the work we do at Understood. We're grateful to have Anya report on the obstacles people face in navigating the system, and explore opportunities to make the system work better for everyone."

"Zero Reject" builds on Understood's commitment to supporting families with neurodivergent children. This includes its new interactive "IEP Guide for Parents," which breaks down the Individualized Education Program process so parents can advocate for their child with confidence. Parents can subscribe to "Understood News" for ongoing updates on topics related to neurodivergence, including special education. They can also chat with the "Understood Assistant," an AI-powered tool built on expert-reviewed guidance.

The first two episodes are now available, and new episodes will drop weekly through October 27, 2026. Subscribe to "Zero Reject" on all major listening platforms.

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by Understood.org from July 27 to August 5, 2026, among 495 parents and guardians of children ages 18 or younger, recruited from a nationally representative online panel through Qualtrics, with parents of children with IEPs or 504 plans overrepresented relative to the general population. Full methodology available here.

About Understood.org
Understood.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps people who are navigating neurodivergence find clarity and take the next step. We translate trusted knowledge about ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence into clear guidance, practical tools, and community support for over 20 million people each year. Everything we do is grounded in research, informed by experts, and shaped by lived experience. For more information, to donate, or to partner, visit u.org/media and follow us @UnderstoodOrg

About Anya Kamenetz
Anya Kamenetz is an award-winning journalist, author and podcaster. She covered education for many years including for NPR, where she co-created the podcast "Life Kit: Parenting." Her last book was "The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now." Kamenetz is currently an advisor to the Climate Mental Health Network, working on new initiatives at the intersection of children, well-being, education and climate change. Her next book, forthcoming from Bloomsbury in 2027, is about mental health and emotional resilience in a world of crisis. Her newsletter on these topics is "The Golden Hour."

¹ CRDC Profile of Students with Disabilities in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year

SOURCE Understood for All, Inc.