CEC’s Partners Reflect on 50 Years of IDEA: eLuma
November 29, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Originally passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, this landmark legislation guarantees every student with a disability the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Over the past five decades, IDEA has opened classroom doors and transformed lives—ensuring that millions of children and youth receive the education they deserve.
As we commemorate this milestone, CEC is inviting our partners to share their stories—reflecting on their contributions to special education and how IDEA has shaped their work and impact. eLuma provides K-12 school districts with flexible staffing and end-to-end student services to meet special education and mental health intervention needs, including IEP-based related services, tiered behavioral health solutions, and professional development.
“Together with the [eLuma] speech therapist, school psychologist, occupational therapist, and physical therapist, they worked with her every single day that she was well enough. They made adjustments and offered modifications based on hospitalizations, but since they all worked with her online, she could meet with them from anywhere.”
eLuma’s Contribution
“At eLuma, supporting the special education community is at the heart of our mission. We were founded to address the nationwide shortage of specialized personnel and expand access to IDEA-mandated services through teletherapy.”
For many districts, that mission translates into reliable support, helping them deliver services required under IDEA when staffing challenges or other barriers make it difficult to do so. By pairing high-quality, licensed providers with an end-to-end suite of student-centered support services, eLuma helps schools maintain FAPE compliance, document progress efficiently, and ensure every student receives the services outlined in their IEP on time.
“We’ve remained committed to advocacy by sponsoring and attending the Special Education Legislative Summit each year, where we meet with Congress to advance initiatives for students with disabilities.”
"My speech and OT teachers are great, and they help me every week...I am getting better at speech and am gaining better use of my hands!" - Student, Age 8
We also invest in professional growth by sponsoring, exhibiting, and attending many CASE, CEC, and other special education events annually, creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and connection.
Each year at our company summit, employees dedicate time to local service projects such as building wheelchairs, preparing backpacks for homeless youth, and stocking food pantries.
Additionally, we raise funds to support organizations making a difference, including NAMI, CASEL, the CEC Advocacy Fund, CASE, DonorsChoose, Heads Up Guidance Services (Georgia), The Settlement Home for Children (Texas), and The GO Project (New York).
From advocacy on Capitol Hill to grassroots volunteerism, from expanding access to specialized services to raising funds for leading nonprofits, eLuma is dedicated to empowering the special education community at every level.”
“Our therapist has been so wonderful. She has helped my daughter so much. We need to acknowledge her good work and determination in helping my little girl succeed!"
“Our vision has always been to advocate for underserved students by increasing access to specialized providers through teletherapy. By raising the bar with one-on-one sessions and tailoring staffing to each school’s unique needs, we strive to deliver high-quality support that empowers students and strengthens the special education community.” -Jeremy Glauser, Founder of eLuma
“They put me back on an IEP and assigned me a special teacher and a school psychologist. They were always calling, texting, and wanting me to meet with them... The psychologist taught me a bunch of cool ways to channel all my extra energy instead of just asking the typical ‘how do you feel’ all the time.” - Student, Age 21
"I met my [eLuma] speech teacher for the first time — she called and texted every single week, no matter what. She helped me get through some classes and even helped me figure out how to talk to my boss at the restaurant where I worked. She always had my back.” - Student, Age 18
Reflections on 50 Years of IDEA
“IDEA laid the foundation for ensuring that every student with a disability can access the services and support they need to thrive. eLuma was founded on this principle. Our mission grew out of the recognition that while IDEA sets the standard, many schools struggle to meet it due to the national shortage of specialized personnel.
As IDEA enters its next 50 years, schools face evolving challenges, including staffing shortages, rising behavioral and mental health needs, and growing expectations for individualized services. eLuma’s model continues to evolve alongside these realities, helping districts extend their capacity to serve students while ensuring services remain compliant, effective, and equitable.
For us, IDEA is more than legislation. It is a call to action. It continues to guide our work, fuel our advocacy, and inspire us to partner with schools and educators to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“Rachel M. was assigned as his [eLuma] psychologist and started working with him on a regular basis during the '23-'24 school year. Rachel is my son's primary school advocate....She goes above and beyond, working endlessly, to ensure my son is safe and has proper resources in place for academic success."
