Federal Issues Impacting People with Disabilities

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From our 2/15/25 Advocacy Newsletter

There has been confusion and uneasiness recently as news outlets publish announcements and articles discussing the potential for federal agencies and funding mechanisms that support people with disabilities to be dismantled or terminated. We discuss an overview of some recent issues below, along with resources for additional information.

U.S. Department of Education Concerns

News that an Executive Order may be in the works to abolish the U.S. Department of Education was announced last week. Read more here. This department’s work includes providing funding for Special Education and enforces the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), both of which are vital for supporting students with disabilities.

As Chris Banks, CEO of the Autism Society of America, stated: “We must recognize that students with disabilities, such as autism, deserve the same opportunities to succeed as their peers. Specialized educational support is not a luxury, but a right.” Read the full article here. 

Concerns Over Medicaid Changes

There are growing concerns about potential changes to Medicaid that may be on the horizon, including possible cuts that could harm funding for people with disabilities or different ways of structuring Medicaid funding such as Block Grants or Per Capita Caps.

To better understand these potential changes and what they could mean for individuals with disabilities, The Arc of the United States has released a video explaining the latest Medicaid concerns. Watch the video here.

Funding Cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences

On Tuesday, it was announced that $900 million would be cut from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This critical agency tracks student progress, evaluates federal program effectiveness, and provides valuable research to schools and colleges aimed at improving student outcomes. These cuts could significantly disrupt efforts to improve education for all students. Learn more about the Institute of Education Sciences here.

Texas vs. Becerra: A Lawsuit that Threatens Disability Protections under Section 504

A lawsuit, Texas vs. Becerra, has recently gained attention. Involving 17 states, this case seeks to eliminate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prevents discrimination against individuals with disabilities in education and healthcare settings when the entity receives federal funding. If successful, this lawsuit could undermine protections for millions of people with disabilities.

Learn more and take action here.

Added 2/18/25

MAHA- Make America Healthy Again Executive Order

We are monitoring this Executive Order for any negative repercussions to people with Autism, their families, and access to needed healthcare, supports and services. We will post on social media and here on our website as we get additional information.

Read the full Executive Order here.     Learn more in this Disability Scoop article.

Get Involved!

Our parent organization, Autism Society of America, has already issued statements on recent events that impact people with Autism. You can view their statements here and consider subscribing to federal advocacy alerts here (See “Sign Up For Alerts”- far right side of screen near end of page).

We encourage you to follow our Facebook and Instagram or sign up for Advocacy alerts to see what’s coming up in Texas.