we have to do this. we will do this. we just have to remember, this is the united states of america. i have said it a thousand times. there is nothing beyond our capacity if we act together. it's time to move together. thank you, and i hope i get to come back to see you folks after this plan is passed. and the question is, you have to attract even more apprentices, more people, because we are building so much. god bless you all, and may god protect our troops. [applause] >> high school students participated in the studentcam

competition talking about issues the president and congress should address this year. all month we are featuring the winners. our second place middle school winners are tyler foley. there winning entry is titled the quest within a crisis. children with special needs and the pandemic. >> a child that has a neurological order and that child is being spoken to but is unable to reply back or communicate day after day after day. >> these words were spoken by a mom who is a special -- was the parent of a special needs student. the school has been fully virtual over 300 days. >> my kindergartner has regressed seriously over the past 10 months. >> he has adhd, he won't sit

still. >> he's refusing to work, refusing to do any of the materials. >> therapies are not working and we are seeing regression. it is hard for her, she doesn't understand. she wants her routine back. >> missing the face-to-face interaction with those who understand his needs. >> three months of distance learning for her 11-year-old has been a disaster. >> the other children are going on a year of almost -- of not receiving that. >> across the world, many children with special needs are in distress. by the time the coronavirus pandemic ends millions will have

been out of school for some period of time. many will have experience drastically reduced hours of learning. on facebook and other social media, virtual town halls with local and state officials any parents have shared stories of children losing skills, turning away from learning, and experiencing breakdowns. >> parents are frustrated because they see their kids regressing not only academically but regressing emotionally. it manifests itself as behavior. the show a lot of frustration. they show a lot of anger or sadness. >> one of the families they work with have a five-year-old with a moderate form of autism. he started kindergarten in the fall. >> in this current pandemic you really see the difficulties that there are four children on the spectrum. >> he got so frustrated he would start hitting and biting.

>> in total, about 50% of the millions in u.s. public schools -- the individuals with disabilities act and the american disabilities act. today we take for granted that children of all abilities could be in the same classroom. it was not always that way. before 1975, many children with disabilities were marginalized, misunderstood, and sent away. this was not only bad for our future but bad for our society. the ada and i.d.e.a is about potential. every child could reach their full potential. >> the ada is one of the most passionate and successful civil rights laws in american history. >> celebrated scholars, actors,

politicians, and athletes. the coronavirus has turned everything upside down. therapies, including ones that require physical touch do not trend well virtually. >> distance learning is not really fulfilling the promises of i dea and kids are really struggling and reaching their full potential. >> president biden has pledged strong federal coordination for the safe reopening of schools. >> as part of a longer-term plan he has called for a historic increase in funding. president biden: we will make your could succeed by funding the individuals with disabilities education act. >> he promised within 10 years of his taking office. many argue that is too late and special needs students need help

now. senator margaret hassan has been calling for dedicated funding. sen. hassan: under the i dea, they have the right to the same educational opportunities as their peers. >> now with vaccinations underway and new leadership in the white house disability experts say we need a plan for moving forward. distance learning has been a catastrophe for many special-needs students. there are also those who manage to do ok or better. today is the 307th day since she has been in in person school. >> i think we are in a holding pattern. the softer skills of adapting to changes, that has been useful. with the computer schools, we have been very fortunate with a couple of very good teachers.

i know not everyone has that experience. >> some of the classmates returned at the beginning of this is a semester. she said it is not the same as in person school. >> i miss my friends, the good community. >> she can't wait to get back. >> all winning entries are available online at stud entcam.com. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2021] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. we are funded by these television companies and more including comcast. >> comcast is partnering with 1000 community centers so students from low income families could get what they need to be ready for anything. >> comcast support c-span as a public service along with these

other television providers giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> here's a look at our live coverage today. at 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span a discussion on the pandemic and the medical supply chain from the washington international trade association. followed by a house administration subcommittee hearing at noon on access to voting in u.s. elections. at 3:30, the urban institute looks at how the pandemic affects immigrant families. on c-span two, chief of staff ron klain speaks to politico about the biden administration agenda. at 10:50 in the trial continues for former minneapolis police officer derek chauvin, charged in the death of george floyd. coming up in an hour, aaron s