February 13, 2025
The Boost
What’s at risk should the Department of Education be gutted, why Republicans want to shrink Medicaid, Getty Images aims to boost disability representation and more developmental disability news for the week ending Feb. 14, 2025.
SPOTLIGHT: EDUCATION
With the existence of the Dept. of Education up in the air (I can’t believe I’m even writing this), these articles might be of help.
A guide to what the U.S. Education Department does (and doesn’t) do (NPR)
What the Assault on Public Education Means for Kids with Disabilities (The New Yorker)
“Is My Child’s IEP in Danger?” What you need to know about IEP law and 504 Plan protections. (additudemag.com)
Linda McMahon agrees with Trump’s calls to gut the Education Department. She still wants to lead it. (Chalkbeat.org)
Department of Education Halts Thousands of Civil Rights Investigations Under Trump More than 10,000 student complaints related to disability access and sexual and racial harassment are on hold. (ProPublica)
Opinion: The Risks Trump Poses to K-12 Education “I have noticed that prominent supporters of President Trump have recently made disturbing statements about children with learning disabilities.” (New York Times)
Push To Dismantle Ed Department Fuels Worries About Special Education (Disability Scoop)
NEW YORK
Sen. Gillibrand: If Trump defunds Dept. of Ed, N.Y. students with disabilities will lose support (silive.com)
Changing the conversation: Disability pride clubs foster inclusion at Stuyvesant and beyond(Chalkbeat.org)
Family alleges Queens day care tried to cover up abuse of their nonverbal son with autism (abc7ny.com)
CDPAP
Gov. Hochul’s administration seeks investigation of $10M ad blitz against her The formal inquiry into the Alliance to Protect Home Care and two other nonprofits accusing the governor of “gutting” the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is the governor’s biggest pushback yet. (Gothamist.com)
Another take: State Urges Investigation Into Opponents of Hochul Home Care Plan Following New York Focus Reporting (NYfocus.com)
‘April 1 does not work’: N.Y. lawmakers want more time for Medicaid home care change Several lawmakers said Tuesday the state will need more time for the CDPAP transition. The State Health Department Commissioner James McDonald and state Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri “remained firm that the department would proceed with the current timeline, but would not rule out a delay.” (nystateofpolitics.com)
State lawmakers urge delay in overhaul of NY home health aide program This take on the above news reports that McDonald said there was no need to diverge from the current plan because everything is going smoothly. (Gothamist.com)
OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK
17 States Sue To End Protections For Students With Special Needs They’re going after Section 504, which codified the civil rights of persons with disabilities. (Forbes.com)
Controversial N.J. dog trainer bitten by the state. Her nonprofit was shut down over ‘mind-boggling’ expenses. Merlin’s Kids promised to provide service dogs for children and veterans. (nj.com)
U.S. Department of Ed Finds MA Failing To Protect Disabled Students (Patch.com)
Food truck in Texas gives students with disabilities chance to showcase job skills I love seeing employment opportunities beyond coffee houses and bakeries. Plus, see candy shop job, below! (kcbd.com)
Candy shop in Massachusetts gives those with disabilities chance to make an impact (CBSnews.com)
MORE EDUCATION
What does NAEP show for special education students? Math and reading scores declined or held steady for special education students on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. (k12dive.com)
EMPLOYMENT
Remote work was a boon for people with disabilities. What happens as employers pull back? (USAtoday.com)
MEDICAID
5 Key Facts about Medicaid Coverage for People with Disabilities The options under consideration to cut Medicaid spending by $2.3 trillion over 10 years. (KFF.org)
Why many Republicans think shrinking Medicaid will make it better (NPR)
Republicans Face Pushback on Potential Medicaid Overhaul (Governing.com)
Trump’s War on Medicaid Will Institutionalize Millions of People With potential cuts to Medicaid a priority for the Trump administration, the future of HCBS remains in limbo. (Mother Jones)
REPRESENTATION
Getty Images Offers $20,000 to Capture Better Photos of People With Disabilities Getty is where many news sites and online magazines get their photos, so kudos to any program that aims to increase representation of the disabled in the media. (petapixel.com)
ENTERTAINMENT
Jon Stewart To Host New York’s ‘Night Of Too Many Stars’ Autism Benefit (Deadline.com)