2025 NBCUniversal Scholarship Recipients

AAPD is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship! This scholarship awarded eight (8) NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities pursuing degrees in fields in the communications, media, and entertainment industries, fostering their academic and professional development within these dynamic fields.

John Bennett

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Pronouns: He/Him

John Bennett is a PhD candidate in film studies in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently completing a dissertation on the history of the international activities of the Algerian film industry from 1956 to 1984. He received a Chateaubriand Fellowship from the French Embassy in the United States in conjunction with an invitation from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne to conduct archival research for this dissertation in 2024. His chapter on French cross-cultural comedy will appear in The Oxford Handbook of Screen Comedy, and his article on Algerian international coproductions will appear in the Arab Studies Journal of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies of Georgetown University. In his teaching, John plans to draw students’ attention to representations of disability in African cinema, such as in films by Ousmane Sembène, Djibril Diop Mambéty and Brahim Tsaki.

Ashley Castillo

CUNY Craig Newmark School of Journalism

Pronouns: She/Her

Ashley Castillo is a Afro-Latina with Cerebral Palsy from The Bronx, New York currently studying journalism as a graduate student at CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School Of Journalism, with a concentration of Local & Accountability. She is a first generation Dominican-American to obtain her bachelors and masters degree. Her goal is to become a TV News Reporter because she aspires to become the change of how disabled people are represented and perceived in storytelling. She hopes to become the leader that her fellow television teachers have taught her of the world she was once isolated from.

The Spanish Television Channels has been an important part of inclusion for her to be part of society aside from being raised with little to none representation of her identities and being deprived of opportunities and resources. She grew up with the news team as being part of her family because her family was in a foreign country in the United States and migrated from the Dominican Republic for the American Dream. They learned to navigate New York City through their native language Spanish with the help of Univision and Telemundo. She also learns from her family’s culture by watching the Dominican Channel every Sunday growing up. Ashley is a student member of DJA, NAHJ and NABJ. Ashley hopes to make her family proud for leaving their home country to another country for better opportunities.

Her inspiration to succeed is seeing her family leave their home country and seeing other people from her family country succeed such as Cardi B and Aventura. She learned how to walk by dancing bachata with her family. Ashley was told she would not amount to anything yet has been determined to succeed with the obstacles that were made to limit her. In her spare time Ashley enjoys swimming, going to the curly hair salon, and playing on her Nintendo Switch.

Itai Hershko

Indiana University

Pronouns: He/Him

Itai Hershko is a filmmaker and storyteller who believes media has the power to shift perceptions and spark inclusion. Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and ADHD, he uses his lived experience to create work that brings visibility to invisible disabilities. His first documentary, Making Sens-ory, explores what it’s like to navigate the world with SPD, and has been recognized by film festivals in the U.S., Europe, and India.

Outside of filmmaking, Itai is a dedicated volunteer at Camp Anchor, a summer program for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, where he’s learned firsthand the importance of inclusive spaces and supportive communities.

This fall, Itai will begin college, where he plans to pursue a business degree with the long-term goal of building a media company that champions authentic disability representation. He’s passionate about shifting how neurodivergence is portrayed on screen—from misunderstood to understood, from sidelined to central.

Itai is honored to be selected as a Tony Coelho Media Scholarship recipient and is grateful to NBCUniversal for supporting his mission.

Matthew Hua

Columbia College Chicago

Pronouns: He/Him

Matthew Hua is a hard-of-hearing composer based in Alexandria, Virginia. His music draws on his own and others’ experiences to create an emotional instrumental story. This fall, Matthew will begin his graduate studies at Columbia College Chicago as he pursues a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition for the Screen. At a young age, the only way that Matthew’s medical team was able to get him to sit for treatments was to turn on a Disney film and allow him to be mesmerized by the film’s music–The Lion King was a reliable tool. Matthew maintains that, even today, film music keeps him centered and motivates him amidst the complexities of his disabilities.

Matthew aims to contribute to an industry that transformed his life. He is passionate about redefining disability with an empathetic lens in music, film, and entertainment. Most recently, Matthew was the Personnel Manager and Music Librarian for the Capital City Symphony in Washington, DC and he is currently preparing for a recording of a 60-piece orchestral work with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra. As he heads into two years of study in Chicago, he is honored to be a recipient of the 2025 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. He is thankful that NBCUniversal and AAPD share in his belief that film music has only scratched the surface of the potential of featuring artists with disabilities.

Juniper Johnson

Loyola Marymount University

Pronouns: She/Her

Juniper “Junie” Johnson is a Cameroonian-American multihyphenate, born in Inglewood, CA and now rooted in the Tampa Bay Area. She earned her BFA in Creative Writing in sun-drenched Sarasota, where she also picked up minors in Film Studies, Art History, and Photography, because one creative outlet was never quite enough. After college, Junie threw herself headfirst into the wonderful world of film, chasing the very thing that both scares and inspires her. In 2022, she joined Lambda Literary’s first-ever screenwriting cohort, studying under Amos Mac, a writer for HBO Max’s Gossip Girl. Fueled by writing mentorship, a lot of curiosity, and more matcha lattes than she’d care to admit, Junie wrote, directed, and produced two short films: Bahati and Heavy is the Head. Both projects screened on opposite coasts, reflecting the breadth of her storytelling reach. When she’s not behind a camera, you’ll probably find Junie in the DVD section of a thrift store, checking each row for the live-action Bratz movie.

Shanelly Nunez

Rochester Institute of Technology

Pronouns: She/Her

Shanelly Nunez is a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a passionate printmaker. She uses her art to share her culture, express who she is, and raise awareness about disabilities. Inspired by her Latinx background and life experiences, she creates prints, illustrations, and designs that give a voice to people who are often left out. Her goal is to make art that includes everyone and helps people feel proud and seen.

Rosemarie Shamim

Glendale Community College

Pronouns: She/Her

Rosemarie Shamim, born and raised in Los Angeles, California, is on her pathway towards a career in film/entertainment journalism. She believes film and entertainment have the power to unify society, sparking shared conversations and interests. As for the journalism aspect, she values how it allows us to ensure proper representation, taking deeper dives into certain stylistic choices. Rosemarie is currently attending Glendale Community College where she also spends her time as a writing tutor– often working with students with disabilities. Her next goal is to begin writing for her campus newspaper, with the intentions of spotlighting GCC’s film production crew, as well as students/staff part of the school’s Disabled Students Programs and Services. Diagnosed with ADHD around her sophomore year of high school, Rosemarie has learned the positive impacts of this disability, making it her greatest strength. This includes her passion for creativity, storytelling, and holding a closer lens to art and media. Rosemarie defines herself as a people person, valuing collaboration and doing her best to support others. In this evolving field, her ultimate goals are to reverse the popularized style of journalism that tends to focus on superficial knowledge, and rather pursue authentic stories. With this, Rosemarie is determined to use her platform to uplift the existing potential of others, especially individuals with disabilities. She is honored to receive this scholarship and is excited for what’s to come.

Anthony McFarland-Smith

Gallaudet University

Pronouns: He/Him

Anthony McFarland-Smith is a hard-of-hearing young man who recently graduated from the California School for the Deaf, Riverside. This fall, he will attend Gallaudet University, where he plans to study Communication with a focus on sports journalism. Anthony has a deep passion for sports and aims to advocate for and spotlight disabled athletes through the lens of storytelling and journalism. Over the past three years, California School for the Deaf, Riverside, has won three consecutive CIF 8-man football championships. Anthony was part of the 2024 championship team. His journey hasn’t been easy. Growing up with a hearing disability, learning ASL, transferring between two deaf schools, and losing his mother at age 16–all of these experiences shaped who he is today. Through hard work and perseverance, Anthony graduated with the California State Seal of Biliteracy on his diploma. Anthony’s goal—in college and beyond—is to use his voice through writing, reporting, and storytelling to uplift and amplify the power of disabled athletes who continue to redefine what it means to compete and inspire the communities.

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This means Congress has until January 30, 2026, to reach a deal on funding bills for all other federal agencies and programs, except for the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The agreement also reinstates all federal employees who received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices – or layoffs – during the shutdown, bans new RIFs until January 2026, and provides backpay to all working and furloughed federal workers who haven’t been paid since September 30, 2025. The Office of Personnel Management has said that federal employees could start to receive backpay as early as Sunday, with a goal of getting all federal employees paid by Wednesday, November 19th.

What Does this Mean for People with Disabilities?

With the shutdown over, funding will again begin to flow to critical programs like SNAP and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program that helps many people with disabilities heat their homes in the winter.

As of Wednesday, November 12, 25% of states had not paid November SNAP benefits due to conflicting court orders, which are now moot since the shutdown has ended and Congress has appropriated funding for SNAP benefits through September 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program, says that funds will be available to states within 24 hours; however, it may take longer for states to load the benefits onto recipients’ EBT cards. Check your state department of human services website for updates about when you can expect to receive your November SNAP benefits.

It may take up to four weeks or more for states to receive LIHEAP grants and distribute energy assistance payments to recipients. The shutdown led many states to pause acceptance of applications due to the lapse in LIHEAP funding, and many states announced a delay in the start of their winter LIHEAP program during the shutdown. Now that a funding bill has been passed into law, it will take time for furloughed federal employees to calculate and distribute funding to the states. State social services departments will also need time to accept and process energy assistance applications. As a result, some states may not be able to distribute benefits until December or even January.

If your energy assistance benefits are interrupted, contact your electric, gas, or oil service provider, explain the situation, and inquire about available arrangements and assistance. Check whether your state has a law that prohibits disconnecting utility services during the winter months.

If your state DOES have a moratorium on disconnection of utility services during cold weather months, it is important that you:

• Beware of scams. Hang up on threatening calls that demand immediate payment or request payment through gift cards, payment apps, or wire transfers.
• If you receive a call demanding immediate payment of utility bills, check your bank account and contact your utility company at its official customer service number to report the call.

Check your state department of human services website for updates about when you can expect to receive energy assistance benefits.

Medicare Extensions Included in Bill

The bill passed by Congress to fund the government and end the shutdown also extends the following provisions for Medicare:

• Telehealth flexibility: The government funding bill extends the ability of healthcare providers to offer care via telehealth until January 30, 2026. This ability was first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and last extended in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This extension is retroactive to October 1, meaning that if you’re on Medicare and received healthcare via telehealth during the shutdown, your provider can submit a claim and be reimbursed for the visit.
• Delay of Medicare Payment Cuts: The bill also delays until the end of January the 2% reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates, which were mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2013. Congress must pass full-year funding bills by January 30, 2026 to further delay this cut.
• Waiver of Mandatory PAYGO Budget Cuts: The government funding agreement also waives the 4% funding cuts to Medicare, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal programs mandated by the “Pay-As-You-Go” Congressional budget rules. This means that if Congress spends beyond a certain amount, they must pay for it with new revenue or cut funding by 4% from Medicare and other programs unless Congress waives the rule.
  
  If Congress had not waived the mandatory PAYGO budget cuts, this would have resulted in reduced payments to healthcare providers, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug benefits, and more.

The Fight is Not Over

While the government is reopening today, unfortunately, this agreement does not extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, which are scheduled to end on December 31. Without these vital insurance subsidies, roughly 24 million Americans could face steep premium increases in 2026—some by 100% or more.

These enhanced ACA premium subsidies allow millions of people with disabilities who make too much to be eligible for Medicaid, do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance,  or are entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals, to afford and maintain health insurance from the ACA marketplace.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has promised to hold a vote on extending the ACA subsidies by mid-December as part of the deal to reopen the government; however, there is no guarantee it will happen.

The shorter-term funding timeline (through January 30) means our work is far from over. Congress will soon return to negotiations on appropriations for the full fiscal year and health insurance subsidies before January 30, 2026, and we need to keep applying pressure.

If you rely on ACA premium subsidies to afford health insurance, we want to hear from you now. Your stories about how these subsidies make coverage accessible are powerful tools to show Congress why they need to act.

Click here to share your story. You can add personal details about how the loss of enhanced ACA premium subsidies would impact your ability to keep healthcare coverage, afford critical medications, or remain independent.

Your voices will help us show how important these subsidies are for millions of Americans with disabilities and others who rely on them for affordable care.

AAPD will keep you updated as this situation unfolds.

The post Explainer: The Government Shutdown Is Over. What Does This Mean for Disabled Americans? appeared first on AAPD.

“I hadn’t heard of AAPD before then, and hadn’t really been part of the national disability rights movement, and I thought it looked really interesting,” she said. “[My colleague] thought we could highlight the work of the organization. I thought that would be a good reason to apply, but also to just become more knowledgeable about the national disability rights movement.”

After winning the award in 2003, Hillman used the money to support Disability Rights International, specifically using it towards documenting conditions in locked institutions in Latin America. The initiatives that Hillman created with the money from the Hearne Award  have led to lasting change in issues like mental health reform. Specifically, the award money was used for litigation that the organization was doing against a government institution for abuses in a psychiatric institution.

“This was an institution where there were close to 500 people that were detained in locked conditions, many of them without clothing, without access to clean bathrooms,” she said. “We took what’s called a precautionary measures petition, or a petition for emergency relief, to the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, and began to help transform that system.”

The Hearne Award had a tremendous impact on Hillman’s leadership.  She noted that getting to connect with then-President and CEO of AAPD, Andy Imparato was transformative. A few years after winning the award, Imparato invited Hillman to join the AAPD Board of Directors. From there, she was able to meet more leaders in the disability rights community and became plugged into the national disability rights movement. 

“This really, I think, supported my individual growth, my understanding of the movement and the issues, and my ability to connect with folks,” she said.

In reflecting on the future of the disability rights movement, Hillman said she hopes to see it “continue to connect across movements and really build a powerful force for implementing the rights of people with disabilities and getting disability into spaces where, historically, it might not have been reflected or present.” She also encourages the next generation of leaders to be bold while engaging in the movement. 

“My advice would be to be bold, to be loud and proud, and fight for what you believe in, for what you need, for your rights,” she said.

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Dave applied to the Hearne Award during her senior year at Indiana University, where she created her own major in Chronic Illness Advocacy. Dave understands firsthand how important it is to be part of a community of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

“Growing up, I felt very isolated living with a chronic illness, and even the way that my chronic illness was addressed is often through the lens of the medical system. I felt like when I entered the disability community, it was the first time that I felt like I didn’t have to keep fighting against my illness or fighting against my disability, and that I was just accepted, and I was allowed to just live and thrive as I was,” she said.

Generation Patient fills a void in the disability space by creating that kind of space for young adults with chronic illnesses and ensuring the chronic illness community is integrated into the disability community.

“Generation Patient really focuses on young people with oftentimes non-visible disabilities who are entering school, work, having to be financially independent for the first time, and so the way that we work as an organization is trying to provide direct support to our community, to help build community and reduce isolation that comes with living with a chronic illness at this age, but also look at some of the systemic barriers that are creating challenges for our community to be able to thrive and fully be part of society with disabilities,” she said.

The Hearne Award was one of the first significant sources of funding Generation Patient received. Dave explained the substantial impact the award had on her and the organization. 

“To have received the Hearne Award meant so much to me individually as I was learning and finding myself within the disability community, but it also meant so much to Generation Patient, to able to grow our impact and really understand how we could impact more young adults with chronic medical disabilities beyond Indiana or specific states, and think through how we could expand our work nationally and now internationally,” Dave said.

Dave expressed her gratitude for the people she met and the knowledge she gained as a result of receiving the award. She said she appreciated gaining “an incredible network of other awardees to lean on and look to for their projects, because they’re all so different but really have that throughline of impacting and including people with disabilities in all aspects of programming, which is really, really exciting.” 

Since Dave received the Hearne Award, Generation Patient has facilitated 650 peer support meetings and has published research on the importance of peer support.

“It is our goal to start to increasingly build the evidence base for the value of peer support, not just as a service, but as an intervention in young adults with chronic medical disabilities, because we believe in peer support as a way to promote acceptance and management of a chronic illness,” Dave said.

As is true for all of Generation Patient’s efforts, the research is done by and for young adults with disabilities.

“We’re really excited because all of those publications have a first author as a young adult with a disability, which is really trying to change the model of what research and peer review publications look like, to have our community’s lived experience really drive what research questions and what researchers should be looking at,” she said.

Along with facilitating opportunities for peer support, Generation Patient also engages in policy advocacy. The organization has three main focuses in its advocacy work: clinical trial representation, ensuring that trials include young adults with chronic medical disabilities; reforming the patient system so that therapeutics can become more affordable; and increasing oversight of pharmaceutical and telehealth advertisements on social media. 

Dave highlighted how Generation Patient worked on the bipartisan Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Online Act in the 119th Congress, which regulates the advertising of prescription medicines by influencers. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS)

“That was really powerful, because this was an issue that our community of young people with chronic medical disabilities were seeing as a problem and not seeing lawmakers and agencies take adequate action. Working on this legislation, recommendations for it, was really meaningful, because it came from our community of young people most impacted by the issues,” she said.

Dave hopes to continue supporting other young people with disabilities in their advocacy efforts.

“I think having led Generation Patient now for so many years, I’m really excited about empowering and ensuring that the next generation of young people with disabilities has a platform and resources to be able to continue to respond to the environments and systems that are not working for them and for us,” she said.

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The Fall Internship Program, now in its third year, builds on the success of AAPD’s Internship Program model to develop stronger disability identities within students and recent graduates with disabilities, so they can better shape the future of our workplaces and communities. Due to the fully virtual and part-time opportunity, our Fall Internship Program provides more flexible opportunities for disabled students and recent graduates to access meaningful employment, gain leadership skills, and connect to the broader disability community. 

During the program, AAPD provides interns with a competitive wage, technology support, mentorship, and many networking and educational opportunities. Interns also participate in AAPD’s Disability Advocacy Certificate Program and learn about effective advocacy methods and key issues within the disability community. The Fall interns met in-person at the end of July during the week of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, prior to the start of the internship, to build connections and get to know each other (and some of the summer interns!).

ID: A group of AAPD interns wearing masks are gathered around the yellow AAPD sign at the AAPD office.The interns in the group are diverse in their  races, genders, and disabilities. 

During their visit to DC in July, the AAPD  AAPD interns attended many disability community events and activities, such as:

• Welcome Dinner with fellow fall interns and the AAPD Internship Staff
• Disability Object Talk with curator Katherine Ott at the National Museum of American History
• AAPD’s American with Disabilities Act Anniversary Celebration with NCIL
• Disability Trivia 
• Dessert Social to network with AAPD staff 
• Professional headshots by Jeevan Portraits

The 2025 Fall Internship Class is:

• Ahna Guillaume (he/they) – National Black Justice Collective
• ileim moss – Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
• Jason Green (he/him) – Caring Across Generations
• Joshua Blackwell (he/him) – Unlock Access
• Kemper Gingerich (he/him) – Center for Democracy and Technology
• Maddox O’Rourke (he/him) – World Institute on Disability
• Makayla Allen (she/her) – Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network
• Marrow Kilgore (they/them) – Project LETS
• Nicole (they/she) – New Disabled South
• Rocío Díaz (she/her) – National Disability Rights Network

You can read the Fall 2025 Intern’s full bios and learn more about them here.

The 2025 AAPD Fall Internship Program would not be possible without the generous support of Arconic Foundation.

The post Introducing the 2025 Fall Internship Program Cohort appeared first on AAPD.

A Reduction-in-Force (RIF) is a process in which an employer permanently eliminates some positions, resulting in layoffs. For any employer, RIFs can happen for reasons like budget cuts, reorganization, or shifting priorities. Unlike a temporary furlough or hiring freeze, a RIF leads to permanent job loss. In a RIF, not only are employees laid off, but the positions that they worked in are entirely eliminated. In this case, the employer is the federal government, the largest employer of people with disabilities in the country. A RIF reduces the federal capacity to deliver essential services. 

What’s happening now?

On Friday, October 10, the Trump administration issued RIF notices to about 4,100 federal employees across various agencies. These include the Department of Education, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Administration on Children and Families (ACF), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), among others. The Office of Management and Budget, part of the Executive Office of the President that assists the President in implementing their policy, management, and regulatory agenda, has said that more than 10,000 federal employees could receive RIF notices during the shutdown.

On Wednesday, October 15, a federal judge issued an emergency order halting the RIFs while the lawsuit continues, calling them “unlawful.”

Impact on Special Education

Disability offices at the Department of Education have been heavily affected by the RIFs, including:

• The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
• The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
• The Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
• The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
  

These offices are essential for making sure students with disabilities get the right accommodations in schools, and that adults with disabilities can access training, support, and opportunities to join and stay in the workforce.

Why this matters

The loss of staff in these offices results in real harm for disabled people. For example, the mass layoffs in the Department of Education will make it significantly more difficult for people with disabilities to:

• Access special education services guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 
• Obtain reasonable accommodations in educational settings, 
• Secure vocational rehabilitation and employment supports, and; 
• Receive civil rights protections against discrimination in educational settings 

The Office for Civil Rights investigates cases when students with disabilities are denied access to education. For example, in 2018, the Department of Education found that Texas had violated the IDEA by placing a cap on the number of students who could receive special education services. OCR worked with the state to develop a plan ensuring that students with disabilities had access to education and continued to monitor its implementation. Without the staff to conduct this work, thousands of students with disabilities would have lost out on access to education. 

These RIFs are part of a long-term plan by the Trump administration to dismantle and eventually shut down the Department of Education. This effort has been ongoing since the beginning of this year. 

Impact on Mental Health

The RIFs go beyond the Department of Education. Agencies such as SAMHSA, CDC, and HUD — which offer essential health and housing assistance — have also been impacted.

At SAMHSA, the impact is especially concerning. SAMHSA oversees programs that directly support people with mental health and substance use disabilities, including:

• The Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program, 
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and; 
• National initiatives supporting mental health and addiction treatment.

At a time when the nation is already facing a mental health crisis, reducing SAMHSA’s capacity endangers the stability and safety of millions.

SAMHSA’s work is crucial for improving outcomes, expanding access, and building an equitable, person-centered system for mental health and substance use services. These programs help prevent over-reliance on restrictive hospital settings and make sure that people with disabilities can access the community-based supports they need to live and thrive.

For example, within the cuts to SAMHSA, the Children’s Branch was eliminated. The Children’s Branch helps to support school-based mental health services for children, including children with dually diagnosed disabilities and mental health conditions. Schools are the primary place where kids and youth receive mental health support, especially youth with disabilities, because of the lack of accessible mental health services more broadly. 

Impact on Early Intervention

Within the Administration for Children and Families, all employees working on Preschool Development Grants Birth to Five in the Office of Early Childhood Development were laid off. These employees support grants that are provided to states and territories to facilitate early intervention services and service coordination for children with disabilities. Without publicly funded early intervention services, fewer children will be diagnosed, making it harder to get treatments, accommodations, and special education for years to come. 

Impact on Housing

The HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity investigates and enforces violations of fair housing laws. In just one example of their work, HUD intervened for a disabled veteran in Maine when he was turned away from renting an apartment because he had a service animal. This type of everyday work to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities cannot happen without staff. The majority of the staff in both the national and regional offices of Fair Housing and Equality Opportunity have been laid off.

Many communities with smaller populations around the country have used Section 108 loans from HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development to build large affordable housing communities. High Point, North Carolina, used this funding multiple times to build hundreds of affordable homes for low-income families, many of whom were families with a disabled loved one. But today, there are only two people left on the team that runs and supports this program for the entire country.

RIFs and the Government Shutdown

The administration had previously threatened to issue RIFs in the event of a government shutdown. However, it is essential to understand that a government shutdown does not automatically result in permanent reductions in the federal workforce. The current RIFs are not a result of the shutdown and are being challenged in court. These RIFs are a part of an existing long-term strategy to eliminate certain federal agencies that has been in motion since the beginning of the year. 

What’s next

Disability rights advocates, federal worker unions, and legal experts challenged these RIFs in court, arguing that they violate federal workforce protections and surpass the administration’s authority. As noted above, a federal judge issued an emergency order to stop the layoffs while the legal challenge proceeds. The Trump administration will appeal this emergency order, and the matter is likely to end up before the Supreme Court. AAPD will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available.

What you can do

Stay informed through AAPD updates and information from our partner organizations. Reach out to the White House via our outreach tool here to tell the Administration that you oppose these RIFs and their unfair impact on the disability community. Urge them to restore critical positions in federal agencies immediately. AAPD’s tool provides a pre-written letter and message, so all you have to do is provide your contact information and hit send.

Additionally, you can share verified information on social media to raise awareness about how these cuts threaten vital services and civil rights protections.

The post Explainer: What the Trump Administration’s Reduction-in-Force Means for People with Disabilities appeared first on AAPD.

Broad Coalition of Disability, Civil Rights, and Education Organizations Call for Reversal of Layoffs at Department of Education

Washington, D.C. – A broad coalition of national, state, and local disability, civil rights, and education organizations is sounding the alarm over sweeping layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education. These cuts have gutted key offices—including the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)—threatening decades of progress in protecting students with disabilities. 

These wholesale terminations place fundamental education laws in peril and place millions of children with disabilities at risk who receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These layoffs circumvent the will of Congress and dismantle 50 years of precedent upholding rights for students with disabilities. Without personnel to oversee these laws, the Department cannot provide essential leadership, oversight, guidance, or support to states and schools—jeopardizing students’ access to a free, appropriate public education and hampering the ability of states and localities to serve all students. In addition, the terminations also threaten the vocational rehabilitation system that helps youth and adults with disabilities become employed.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of IDEA, a law that has enjoyed strong bipartisan support for five decades. Rather than celebrating progress, we face a crisis: the dismantling of the very infrastructure Congress created to ensure children with disabilities could reach their full potential, potentially catapulting them back to a time of segregation and refusal to provide educational opportunities.

The undersigned organizations urge the Administration – and call on Congress to do the same – to reverse course immediately and restore staffing and transparency at the U.S. Department of Education. Strong federal leadership is not optional—it’s a moral and legal obligation for our nation’s children with disabilities.

Signed:

AACTE: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Access Ready Inc.
Accessible College LLC
ACVREP
Advocacy Without Borders
AFSCME
AFT, AFL-CIO
All4Ed
Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools
Allies for Independence
America Forward
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Association on Health and Disability
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Council of Blind Families
American Council of the Blind Next Generation
American Council of the BlindAmerica Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
American Music Therapy Association
American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Angelman Syndrome Foundation
Applied Self-Direction
APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA)
Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)
Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO)
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Association of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)
Attendance Works
Autism Science Foundation
Autism Society of America
Autism Speaks
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Beyond-Impact LLC

Black Down Syndrome Association
Blessed with Extraordinary
Calculus Roundtable
Caring Across Generations
CASA
CEC Division on Visual Impairment and DeafBlindness
Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
Center for Public Representation
Changing Perspectives
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Coalition on Human Needs
Collaborative Special Education Advocacy
Common Coalition
CommunicationFIRST
Complex and Chronic Conditions, The Division for Physical, Health and Multiple Disabilities of
the Council for Exceptional Children (CCC-DPHMD)
Council for Exceptional Children
Council for Learning Disabilities
Council of Administrators of Special Education
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Cure SMA
DCDT
Deaf Equality
Defense of Democracy
Described and Captioned Media Program
Dicapta
Disability Belongs
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Disability Workforce LLC
Disabled Martial Artists Alliance
Diversability LLC
Diverse Charter Schools Coalition
Division for Communication, Language and D/HH
Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL)
Division for Early Childhood
Division for Emotional and Behavioral Health (DEBH)
Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Division for Research, Council for Exceptional Children
Division of International Special Education and Services
Division of Leaders and Legacy
Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Division on Career Development and Transition

Down Syndrome Affiliates In Action
Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta
Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network
Down Syndrome Achieves
Easterseals, Inc.
EDGE Partners
EdTrust
Educating All Learners Alliance
Education Law Center
Education Reform Now
Educators for Excellence
Epilepsy Foundation of America
FASD United
First Focus on Children
Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics
FullScale
GLSEN
Griffin-Hammis Associates
Healthy Schools Campaign
Hearing Loss Association of America
Inclusive Development Partners (IDP)
Innovations in Special Education Technology: Division of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
International Council on Development and Learning
Joint National Committee for Languages
KIPP Foundation
Lakeshore Foundation
LearnerStudio
Little Lobbyists
Low Vision Technology
Made for Math
MomsRising
Muscular Dystrophy Association
NAACP
National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE)
National Association for College Admission Counseling
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC)
National Association of Pupil Services Administrators
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils (NASILC)
National Association of the Deaf
National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)
National Center for Learning Disabilities
National Charter Collaborative
National CMV Foundation
National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils
National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID)
National Council for Languages and International Studies
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Council on Independent Living
National DeafBlind Coalition
National Disability Action
National Disability Institute
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
National Down Syndrome Congress
National Down Syndrome Society
National Education Association
National Family Association for DeafBlind
National Federation of the Blind
National Health Law Program
National Parents Union
National Parents Union
National PLACE
National Rehabilitation Association
National Rural Education Association
National School Climate Center
National Women’s Law Center
Network of Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities & Supporters (NOTPD)
New America, PreK-12 Programs
New Disabled South
Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association
OT Leaders & Legacies Society
Parents for Public Schools
Pennsylvania Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Prevent Blindness
School Social Work Association of America
SchoolHouse Connection
SELF – Special Education Leader Fellowship
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, Inc.
Special Education Equal Development Society (SEEDS)
SPEDucator Solutions
Success Beyond Sight
TASH
TDIforAccess
Teach Plus
Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
The Ability Challenge
The Advocacy Institute
The Arc of the United States
The Association for the Gifted- Council for Exceptional Children
The Carroll Center for the Blind
The Center for Enriched Living
The Center for Learner Equity
The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation
The Division of Evaluation and Assessment for Learning (DEAL)
The Education Policy & Practice Group, LLC
The Gibney Family Foundation
The Hussman Institute for Autism
The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health
The National Association for Down Syndrome
The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS)
The National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion
The Neurodiversity Alliance
The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
The Sibling Leadership Network (SLN)
Touch the Future Inc
Tourette Association of America
TSC Alliance
UnidosUS
United Spinal Association
United States International Council on Disabilities
University of Massachusetts Center for Educational Assessment
VisionServe Alliance
WID
Yes! Access
ZERO TO THREE

State and Local Organizations

Alabama
Alabama Association of School Psychologists
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
Coastal Alabama Down Syndrome Society
Down Syndrome Alabama
The Arc of Alabama

Alaska
Alaska Down Syndrome Network
Alaska School Psychologists Association
Stone Soup Group
The Disability Law Center of Alaska

Arizona
Arizona Association of School Psychologists
Arizona Council for Exceptional Children (AZCEC)
Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council
Bridge the Gap Advocacy
Disability Rights Arizona
Loving Speech Center
Native American Disability Law Center
Save Our Schools Arizona
Statewide Independent Living Council of Arizona
The Arc of Arizona
The Arc of Tucson

Arkansas
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
Arkansas Down Syndrome Association
Disability Rights Arkansas

California
Anderson Valley Unified School District
Arcohe Union School District
Autistic Women’s Alliance
Belmont-Redwood Shores School District
Black Educator Advocates Network
Butte County SELPA
Cabrillo Unified School District
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
California Association of O&M Specialists-CAOMS
California Association of School Psychologists
California Council for Exceptional Children
California Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition
Carmel Unified School District
Center of Vision Enhancement
Club 21 Learning and Resource Center
Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education
Disability Rights California
Down Syndrome Association of Central California
Down Syndrome Association of Orange County
Down Syndrome Association of San Diego
Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County
Down Syndrome Information Alliance
Elk Grove Unified School District
Families In Schools
Fort Bragg Unified School District
Gilroy Unified School District
Gonzales Unified School District
Independent Living Resource Center SF
Infant Development Association of California
Inland Valley Down Syndrome Association
Jefferson Elementary School District (San Mateo County)
Kern Down Syndrome Network
Le Grand Union High School District
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Marin Center for Independent Living
Marin County SELPA
Member of Mendocino County Community Advisory Committee
Mendocino County SELPA
Merced County Office of Education
Merced Union High School District
Mid-Alameda County SELPA
Monterey County Office of Education
Monterey County Special Education Local Plan Area
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
North Monterey County Unified School District
North Santa Cruz County Community Advisory Committee
North Santa Cruz County SELPA
Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)
Parents Helping Parents, Inc.
Resources for Independence Central Valley
Rolling Start, Inc. Center for Independent Living
San Ardo Union Elementary School District
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
San Luis Obispo County SELPA
San Mateo County SELPA
Santa Barbara County Education Office
Santa Barbara County Special Education Local Plan Area
Santa Clarita Valley SELPA
Santa Cruz City Schools
Saugus Union School District
Scotts Valley Unified School District
Service Center for Independent Life
Solano County Special Education Local Plan Area
South East Santa Clara SELPA
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District
South Orange County SELPA
Sulphur Springs Union School District
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Tehama County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)
The Arc of California
The San Diego Center for the Blind
Tri-Valley SELPA
Ukiah Unified School District
Washington Union Elementary School District
West Contra Costa Unified
Willits Unified School District
Yuba County Office of Education

Colorado
Collaborative for Exceptional Education
Colorado Association of the Deaf
Disability Law Colorado
Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado
Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association
The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties
The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties
The Arc of Adams County
The Arc of Aurora
Connecticut
Center for Children’s Advocacy
Connecticut Association of School Psychologists
ConnOTA
Disability Rights Connecticut
Nonprofits Counsel
The Arc Connecticut
The Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut
District of Columbia
Children’s Law Center
DC Special Education Cooperative
Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County, MD
National Children’s Center (NCC)
Nonprofits Counsel

Delaware
Choices For Community Living, Inc.
Delaware Association of School Psychologists
Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council
Delaware Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC)
Delaware Occupational Therapy Association
Delaware Statewide Independent Living Council
Disability Rights Delaware of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Down Syndrome Association of Delaware
Parent Information Center of Delaware
State Council for Persons with Disabilities
The Arc of Delaware

Florida
Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
Down Syndrome Foundation of Tallahassee
Manatee County Council of the Blind
Dan Marino Foundation
Disability Rights Florida
Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida
Families for Strong Public Schools
Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP)
PROJECT Saint

Georgia
Parent Education for Exceptional Children
George Coalition for Equity in Education (GCEE)
Georgia Association of School Psychologists
Georgia Council of Exceptional Children
Parent to Parent of Georgia Inc

Hawaii
Hawai`i Association of School Psychologists
Hawaii Disability Rights Center
Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii

Idaho
Exceptional Child Center, DBA Center for Independent Living
Disability Rights Idaho
Gem State Developmental Center
Idaho Council for Exceptional Children
Idaho Families of Adults with DisAbilities, Inc.
Idaho State Independent Living Council

Illinois
Connections Day School
DGCKids
Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford
Esperanza Community Services
Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living
IMPACT CIL
Kids First Chicago
Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems Innovations Academy
The Montessori School of Englewood
Access Living
Advance Illinois
Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education
Illinois Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Illinois Families for Public Schools
Illinois School Psychologists Association (ISPA)
Illinois State University
Legal Council for Health Justice
Start Early Illinois
Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters
The Arc of Illinois
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois

Indiana
Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana
Experienced Educators of East Central Indiana
American Council of the Blind of Indiana
Indiana Association of School Psychologists
Indiana Coalition for Public Education
Indiana Council for Exceptional Children
Indiana Disability Rights
Indiana Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Indiana Occupational Therapy Association
VIPS (Vision Interventions and Parental Support)

Iowa
The Arc of East Central Iowa
The Arc of Southeast Iowa
Disability Rights Iowa
Easterseals Iowa
Iowa School Psychologists Association
Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council
The Arc of Iowa

Kansas
Down Syndrome Innovations
Targeted Case Management of Kansas, LLC
Disability Rights Center of Kansas
Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
Kansas Division for Early Childhood

Kentucky
Greater Louisville Council of the Blind
Center for Accessible Living
Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion/University of Kentucky
Down Syndrome of Louisville
Kentucky Advocates for Inclusion & Accessibility
Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children
Kentucky Council of the Blind
Kentucky Division for Early Childhood
Kentucky Protection and Advocacy
PAIMI Council of Kentucky
South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind
VIPS (Vision Interventions and Parental Support)

Louisiana
St Bernard Public School District
Disability Rights Louisiana
Louisiana School Psychological Association
Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council

Maine
Disability Rights Maine
Maine Association of School Psychologists (MASP)
Maine Parent Federation

Maryland
Arts Every Day, Inc.
Beacon Education Solutions
Brown on the Spectrum
Charting the Course
Down Syndrome Association of Southern Maryland
Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County, MD
Enhancing Your Strengths
Gaithersburg HELP
Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, Inc
Office of Deaf & Disability Ministries Archdiocese of Washington
Parents Helping Parents Together, Inc
Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (PODS) of Prince George’s Co., MD
Partnership for Extraordinary Minds (xMinds)
Speech Garden
The Arc Montgomery County
The Arc Prince George’s County
Transition Work Group (TWG)
Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS)
Autism Society of Maryland
Choice and Control Inc.
Disability Rights Maryland
Down Syndrome Association of Maryland
Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community Inc.
Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education
Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Maryland Citizens for the Arts
Maryland Dance Education Association
Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition
Maryland Education Coalition (MEC)
Maryland Inclusive Housing
Maryland Out of School Time Network
Maryland School Psychologists’ Association Political Action Committee
Maryland School Psychologists’ Association
Maryland Theater Education Association
National Children’s Center (NCC)
SEEC
Strong Schools Maryland
The Arc Maryland
The Parents’ Place of MD

Massachusetts
Associates for Human Services
Incompass Human Services, Inc.
Lifeworks, Inc.
AFT Massachusetts
Bay Cove Human Services
Disability Law Center
Federation for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress
Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium
Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA)
Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium
Massachusetts School Psychologists Association
Massachusetts Speech-Language Hearing Association
National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter
Nonprofits Counsel
The Arc of Massachusetts
Thom Child and Family Services

Michigan
Down to Defend, Michigan
The Arc Community Advocates
The Arc of Macomb County, Inc.
Disability Rights Michigan
EdTrust-Midwest
Michigan Association of School Psychologists
Michigan Council for Exceptional Children
Michigan Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Michigan Statewide Independent Living Corporation
The Arc Michigan

Minnesota
Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota
EdAllies
Minnesota CEC
Minnesota Disability Law Center
Minnesota School Psychologist Association
PACER Center
Mississippi
Irby Psychological Services
Pine Belt Down Syndrome Outreach
Disability Rights Mississippi
Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
Mississippi Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition

Missouri
DGCKids
Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis
Down Syndrome Innovations
St. Louis Arc
The Farmer’s House
Missouri Council for Exceptional Children
Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council
The Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA)

Montana
Ability Montana
Summit Independent Living
Disability Rights Montana
Montana Association of School Psychologists

Nebraska
Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands
Down Syndrome Association for Families
American Council of the Blind of Nebraska
Disability Rights Nebraska
Down Syndrome Advocates in Action Nebraska
Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association
Nebraska School Psychologists Association
Stand For Schools

Nevada
Children’s Advocacy Alliance
Down Syndrome Connections Nevada
Nevada Council of the Blind
Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center
Nevada Occupational Therapy Association

New Hampshire
Easterseals NH
ABLE New Hampshire
Disability Rights Center – New Hampshire
Engage New Hampshire
Kent Street Coalition
New Hampshire Assoc of Special Education Administrators
New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities
New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association
NH General Court
NH Universal Changing Stations Alliance
Strategies for Disability Equity

New Jersey
Association for Special Children and Families
Down Syndrome Association of Southern New Jersey
Mercer County Association of the Blind
ASAH
Disability Rights New Jersey
Family Voices NJ
New Jersey Association of School Psychologists
New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children
New Jersey Division of Early Childhood
NJ Community Schools Coalition
Our Children Our Schools New Jersey
Save Our Schools NJ

New Mexico
Native American Disability Law Center
Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network
Disability Rights New Mexico
New Mexico Association of School Psychologists
New York
Advocacy and Resource Center
Advocates for Children of New York
AHRC Nassau
Arc GLOW
Arc Herkimer
Arc Mid-Hudson
Arc of Onondaga
ARC of Rockland
Bronx Developmental Center Chapter of the Arc New York
Bronx Developmental Disabilities Council
Brookville Center for Children’s Services
Camp Abilities Saratoga, Inc.
Catalyst for Transformative Change
Chautauqua County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc. dba The Resource Center
Clinton ARC
Coarc
INCLUDEnyc
Liberty ARC the Montgomery County Chapter NYSARC, Inc.
Living Resources Corp.
Metropolitan Parent Center, Sinergia Inc
Nysarc/glowarc
Parent Network of WNY
People’s Arc of Suffolk
The Arc Chemung Schuyler
The Arc Erie County New York
The Arc GLOW
The Arc Greater Hudson Valley
The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence
The Arc of Delaware County (NYS)
The Arc of Monroe
The Arc of Rensselaer County
The Arc Ontario
The Arc Otsego
The Arc Rockland
The Collaborative for Inclusive Education
Ulster County Children’s Advocacy Network
VIA (Visually Impaired Advancement)
Long Island Advocacy Center
ACCES-VR
AHRC NYC
Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc.
Brain Injury Association of New York State
BRIDGES – Rockland Independent Living Center, Inc.
Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State
Disability Rights New York
Inclusion Drives Equity
New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP)
New York State Council for Administrators of Special Education
New York State Council For Exceptional Children
Nonprofits Counsel
NYSARC Inc., Warren, Washington and Albany Counties Chapter
Rural Schools Association of New York
The Adirondack Arc
The Arc New York
The Arc Oneida-Lewis
The Arc Westchester
The Voices For The Medically Fragile of New York

North Carolina
Autism Kids
Down Syndrome Network of Onslow and Carteret Counties (DSNOCC)
FIRSTwnc
Disability Rights North Carolina
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance
North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association
Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County
The Arc of NC

North Dakota
The Arc of Cass County
Designer Genes of North Dakota
North Dakota Association of the Blind, Inc.
North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association
North Dakota Protection & Advocacy Project

Ohio
Columbus Education Justice Coalition
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio
Erase the Space
Inclusion Advocates, Inc.
Mid-Ohio Board for an Independent Living Environment (MOBIE)
Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living
American Council of the Blind of Ohio
Central Ohio Rank and File Educators
Disability Rights Ohio
ElevateDD
Honesty for Ohio Education
Independent Living Center of North Central Ohio
Linking Employment, Abilities & Potential
MOBILE Independent Living
Ohio Equal Rights
Ohio Occupational Therapy Association
Ohio School Psychologists Association
Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council
Ohio Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
The Arc of Ohio

Oklahoma
Dynamic Independence
Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
Oklahoma Disability Law Center
Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council
The Arc of Oklahoma

Oregon
HASL Center for Independent Living
Lane Independent Living Alliance (LILA)
Disability Rights Oregon
North Clackamas School District
Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon
Oregon Chapter of Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Oregon Council for Exceptional Children
Oregon SILC
The Oregon School Psychologists Association (OSPA)

Pennsylvania
Beaver County Association for the Blind
Danielle Lynn Manni
Golden Triangle Council of the Blind
Montgomery County Association for the Blind
Montgomery Theater
Sights for Hope
The Arc Alliance, Pennsylvania
The Arc Erie County, PA
The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh
The Arc of Philadelphia
VisionCorps
Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania
Education Voters of PA
Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind
Pennsylvania Council Of The Blind
Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition
Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
The Arc of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh/LEND Center on Disabilities
Venango County Association for the Blind

Puerto Rico
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities in Puerto Rico (PR P&A)

Rhode Island
IN-SIGHT
National Association of Social Workers, Rhode Island Chapter
RIOTA

South Carolina
The Arc of Horry
Able South Carolina
Disability Rights South Carolina
Family Connection of South Carolina
S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center
SC Partnership of Disability Organizations
South Carolina Association of School Psychologists
South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association
The Arc of South Carolina
The South Carolina Human Services Providers Association

South Dakota
Disability Rights South Dakota
South Dakota Parent Connection Inc.
The McGovern Center at Dakota Wesleyan University

Tennessee
Alcoa Blount County NAACP
Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and The Mid-South
Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee
Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM),
Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children
Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Tennessee – SILCTN

Texas
Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
Down Syndrome Association of Houston
Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas
The Arc of Greater Beaumont
The Austin Council of the Blind
All Blind Children of Texas
Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans
Braille Revival League of Texas
Children’s Disabilities Information Coalition-Community Parent Resource Center (TX-CPRC)
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
DBMAT – Deafblind Multihandicapped Association of Texas
DeafBlind Community of Texas
National Association of Social Workers Texas
Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TAER)
Texas Association of School Psychologists
Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education
Texas Occupational Therapy Association
The Arc of Texas

Utah
Disability Law Center of Utah
Utah Association of School Psychologists
Utah Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Utah State University Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

Vermont
Disability Rights Vermont
Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Vermont Association of School Psychologists
Vermont Council for Exceptional Children

Virginia
The Arc of Southside
The Arc of the Piedmont
Disability Law Center of Virginia
Virginia Academy of School Psychologists (VASP)
Virginia Council for Exceptional Children
Virginia Division on Career Development and Transition
Virginia Down Syndrome Association

Washington
The Arc of King County
The Arc of Snohomish County
Disability Rights Washington
League of Education Voters
The Arc of Washington State
Washington Association of School Administrators
Washington State Association of School Psychologists (WSASP)

West Virginia
Down Syndrome Network of West Virginia
TEAM for West Virginia Children
West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association

Wisconsin
Oregon (WI) Area Progressives
The Arc of Dane County
Compass IL
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin
InControl Wisconsin
Learn In My Shoes
Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations
The Arc Wisconsin
Vision Forward Association
Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
Wisconsin Education Association Council
Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training, and Support
Wisconsin Public Education Action
Wisconsin Public Education Network
Wisconsin School Psychologists Association

Wyoming
Deaf Intervention Services, LLC
Protection & Advocacy System, Inc, Wyoming
Wyoming School Psychology Association
Wyoming SILC

Background: 

While the current Administration has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to federal education laws and their statutory obligations, the reported staffing cuts would make it extremely difficult—if not impossible—to uphold those responsibilities. They would also harm individuals with disabilities and their families. These actions erode federal accountability for special education funds and vocational rehabilitation funds, as well as the disability rights Congress has enshrined in federal law, at a time when schools nationwide are already struggling to meet the needs of students and when people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment. The reduction in staff across OSEP, RSA, and OESE also jeopardizes critical grant management, data reporting, and oversight functions that support state compliance and continuous improvement. These activities address the critical shortage of special educators, advance access to technology for children and workers with disabilities, support families, remedy systemic problems within states and school districts, ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunity to learn alongside their non-disabled peers, and advance the economic independence of people with disabilities through employment. 

The Congressional Research Service explains IDEA, including requirements for vocational rehabilitation evaluation and integrated employment services here.

The post Department of Education Condemned for Ending Support for Students with Disabilities appeared first on AAPD.

The federal government shutdown is now in its fourth week, with no immediate end in sight. As you can read about in our previous explainer, Congress has failed to pass a funding bill, leaving millions without access to critical programs.

On October 22, at least 25 states announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be paid in November if the shutdown continues. Many people with disabilities depend on SNAP for food, making this an urgent threat to our community. 

While the Trump administration has authorized tariff revenue to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC benefits), the Trump Administration has said that it will not use any of the $6 billion in reserve funds held by the US Department of Agriculture to fund SNAP. This news arrives just before the holiday season, when many gather with friends and family to share a meal. Some states are using their own emergency funds to pay November SNAP benefits, including California, Colorado, Louisiana, and Virginia; however, not all states have the ability to do this.

Additionally, as the coldest weather since last winter arrives in much of the country, some states have announced delays in starting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income individuals and families with their home heating costs. Some states may still have funds available to continue providing assistance. Reach out to your state social services department to find out the current status of energy assistance programs in your area.

Also, while housing assistance payments for current Section 8 voucher holders are expected to continue until November, new Section 8 vouchers will not be issued. Landlords will possibly need to cover expenses out of their own pockets if the shutdown lasts a long time and begins to impact housing assistance payments for renters who get Section 8 vouchers. This can lead to foreclosure and greater housing instability. 

In addition to the delays affecting when people with disabilities will receive their benefits, there are also potential delays in processing administrative requests, disability benefits applications, and casework. 

Even if a deal is reached to reopen the government by the end of October, benefits for November will probably be delayed because it will take time for federal agencies to distribute funding to states.

What You Can Do If Your Benefits Are Interrupted

• • Find a local food pantry: feedingamerica.org
  • Seek help from local churches, charities, and organizations like Kelly’s Kitchen. Kelly’s Kitchen also hosts the Food Security Network that you can use to locate food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, rural farms, urban farms, and food justice organizations.

• If your energy assistance benefits are interrupted, contact your electric, gas, or oil service provider, explain the situation, and ask about available arrangements and assistance. 

• Other companies, like your bank, internet, and cell service provider, may offer flexibility in bill payments if you reach out to them. 
• If you are receiving public assistance currently, Amazon offers a 50% discount on Prime Memberships via the Amazon Access Program, which may help reduce food costs. Also,DoorDash  has launched an emergency food response where they will waive merchant fees for all 300+ Project DASH partner food banks, food pantries, and community organizations nationwide, cover the delivery and service fees for about 300,000 orders for SNAP recipients, and donate directly to local food banks.
• On Thursday, October 30th at 3 PM Eastern, the National Council on Independent Living will host a virtual Community Conversation about how the government shutdown is affecting programs like SNAP, how to find food resources to fill the gap, and how local Centers for Independent Living can assist people with disabilities who are experiencing food insecurity. ASL and CART will be provided. Click here to register.

Take Action

Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to reopen the government before tens of millions of people, including many people with disabilities, face even more hardship. Your advocacy matters and can make a real difference.

We will keep you updated as the situation develops. Thank you for your commitment to supporting disabled people.

Previous versions of this resource

On Wednesday, October 1, at 12:01 AM, part of the federal government shut down because Congress could not  agree on a funding plan. As of now, the government has been shut down for two weeks. Congress and the White House are still working to reach a deal to reopen it.

What Happens During a Government Shutdown?

When the government shuts down, all “non-essential” government activities come to a halt. Essential workers — such as those in defense, national security, or air traffic control — keep working. Some get paid, and others are expected to work without pay. Most other federal employees are sent home and do not receive pay until Congress funds the government again, which is called a furlough.

Right now, around 750,000 federal workers are furloughed. If the shutdown goes on, many might miss their next paycheck and have trouble paying rent, mortgages, or other bills. Furloughed federal workers are required by law to receive pay that covers the time that they were furloughed, but the White House has illegally threatened that this may not happen for federal employees affected by this shutdown. 

Why Is Congress Stuck?

Congress cannot agree on how to fund the government. The President and many Republicans want to pass a short-term seven-week funding bill. However, Democrats prefer a longer-term deal that also:

• Extends enhanced health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are scheduled to expire this year. These subsidies are called ACA Tax Credits. ACA Tax Credits lower the cost of health care for people who receive health insurance through their state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace.  
• Cancels Medicaid cuts that were passed earlier this year.
• Ensures the President cannot block funding that Congress already approved. Since January, the Trump administration has refused to disburse funding for many federal programs that were authorized by Congress without following the proper procedure under the Impoundment Control Act, which limits the President’s ability to cancel spending approved by Congress.

If those insurance subsidies expire, around 24 million Americans could face steep premium increases in 2026 — some by 100% or more.

The $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts included in the budget reconciliation bill passed this summer will cause millions of Americans to lose access to healthcare coverage, home- and community-based services, employment support services, and other vital benefits if those cuts are not repealed.

How the Shutdown Affects Government Programs

Medicaid and Medicare:

Medicaid and Medicare benefits will continue during the shutdown.

Medicare and Medicaid are funded separately from regular government operations, so those benefits will stay active even in a shutdown. 

However, some people might not be able to get help with tasks like Medicaid eligibility verification because of reduced staffing at federal agencies. Additionally, healthcare providers may experience delays in processing claims. It may be harder for people who depend on Medicare and/or Medicaid to access healthcare during the shutdown. About 43% of adults with disabilities under age 65 are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid covers over half of all long-term care in the United States. 

Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people 65 and older.  Approximately 45% of all Medicare beneficiaries report having a disability, while about 12% of beneficiaries are under age 65 and qualify for Medicare due to a disability, meaning there are a significant number of both older and younger individuals with disabilities who are covered by Medicare. 

Social Security and Disability Benefits:

Social Security payments will continue being paid as scheduled.

Social Security provides benefits for low-income children and adults with disabilities, retirees, older adults, and surviving spouses and children of deceased individuals  through a variety of programs. 

This includes:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Social Security Retirement and Survivor benefits

These benefits are funded separately from the government’s annual budget, so they are unaffected by the shutdown. However, some services — such as obtaining a replacement Medicare card or a benefit verification letter — may be delayed or interrupted due to staffing furloughs. If people have any problems with their Social Security benefits during the shutdown, it will take longer to fix those problems, potentially cutting people off from benefits they need to live. Check the Social Security Administration’s website for updates on which services are available.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program that helps low income people buy the food they need for good health. About 80% of households who receive SNAP benefits are households with children, a disabled person, or an older adult. People with disabilities are more likely to be food insecure than people without disabilities, which means that SNAP is an essential program to make sure many people with disabilities do not go hungry and still have healthy food to eat. 

The federal government sends states SNAP benefits every month, and then states send these benefits to low income individuals who are eligible for SNAP. The October SNAP benefits have already been distributed to states, so payments to individuals will be made on schedule. However, if the shutdown continues, November SNAP benefits might be delayed or interrupted, and people will go hungry, including people with disabilities and their families. 

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits: 

WIC funding could run out within days because the program has not yet received new funding for the new fiscal year, which started on October 1. Some states may fill the gap with their own funds, but others cannot.

WIC benefits support pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding individuals, as well as their infants and children. If funds run out, families could lose access to food benefits, including formula for babies. Parents with disabilities and babies with disabilities are among those who will be hurt if WIC benefits run out. 

The White House has announced that it plans to use revenue from tariffs — taxes on goods imported from overseas — to fund WIC. However, the details of that plan are not yet clear. 

Food stores that need to renew their WIC or SNAP licenses may also have to wait until the shutdown ends.

If your SNAP or WIC benefits are delayed, you can visit Feeding America to locate a nearby food bank or food pantry. Additionally, many churches, community centers, or charity organizations in your local area may be able to assist if SNAP or WIC benefits are disrupted.

Housing Assistance

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher benefits will continue. However, a long-lasting shutdown could delay lease renewals or jeopardize payments, causing landlords to cover the shortfall with their own funds. This may cause landlords to fall into foreclosure and cause housing instability for their tenants.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program helps eligible low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities afford housing in the private rental market by providing vouchers that subsidize a portion of their rent. About 25% of Section 8 beneficiaries are people with disabilities. People with disabilities face many barriers to housing, and Section 8 is an important program to help disabled people keep a roof over their head during the shutdown.  

If you receive a Section 8 housing voucher, you are still responsible for paying your share of rent during the shutdown, even if you are experiencing additional financial hardship due to the shutdown.

Other services, like housing inspections and new housing assistance applications, will be paused until the government reopens.

Energy Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is affected during the shutdown, but the impact on families varies by state. LIHEAP helps low-income households cover their energy bills, which includes many families with disabilities. During the shutdown, states will not receive new grants to assist families with electric or gas bills. Additionally, the entire staff of the Division of Energy Assistance at the Administration for Children and Families, which manages LIHEAP, had their jobs cut earlier this year.

Some states might have leftover funds to keep offering assistance. Contact your local or state social services department to learn about the current status of energy assistance programs in your state.

If your energy assistance benefits are interrupted, contact your electric, gas, or oil service provider, explain the situation, and inquire about available arrangements and assistance. Utility companies understand that shutdowns are heavily affecting consumers who depend on energy assistance programs.

What You Can Do

Call Your Bank and Other Creditors if You Need Help

If your benefits are delayed or disrupted and you need to use your own funds to buy groceries instead of paying utility, cell phone, or other bills, contact your bank or service provider and explain the situation. Financial institutions, including banks, credit card companies, and utility providers, are aware that a federal government shutdown can cause financial hardship for many people. They may be able to offer flexible arrangements, such as postponing payment due dates until the shutdown ends. While there’s no guarantee they will do so, it’s worthwhile to ask what they can do to support your financial security during this time.

Contact Your Representatives and Senators

AAPD urges people with disabilities and their allies to contact their Senators and Representatives and implore them to:

• Fund and reopen the government,
• Protect access to healthcare, and;
• Prevent further harm to people who rely on federal benefits.

The longer the shutdown continues, the harder it will be for families, especially those with disabilities or low incomes, to make ends meet. Additionally, if federal workers miss paychecks, it can have a significant impact on the broader economy.

The post Explainer: What the Government Shutdown Means for SNAP, WIC, and Disability Programs appeared first on AAPD.

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Acetaminophen – a medicine that helps get rid of fevers and pain. Acetaminophen is also called Tylenol.

Autism community – autistic people and the people who support them. The autism community includes:

• Autistic people
• Family members of autistic people
• People who do research about autism
• Medical professionals; and 
• Groups that work with autistic people.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – a part of the United States government that works on health care. The Department of Health and Human services gets called HHS for short.

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) – a group of people in the autism community that works with the government. IACC has meetings about problems that affect autistic people.

Leucovorin – a kind of medicine. Doctors usually give leucovorin to people who have cancer.

Press conference – an event where someone shares important news with a lot of news reporters. News reporters ask questions about the news at the press conference. 

RFK – a short name for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. RFK is in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services.

On September 22nd, government leaders said dangerous things about autism that are not based on facts. They said these dangerous things at a press conference. A press conference is when the government shares important news. News reporters ask questions about the news at the press conference. 

These are some of the dangerous things government leaders said at the press conference:

• They said that pregnant people should not take acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a medicine that helps get rid of fevers and pain. Acetaminophen is also called Tylenol. RFK and President Trump said that acetaminophen causes autism. The best science shows that acetaminophen does not cause autism. A baby can not get autism from their parent taking acetaminophen. A baby can not get autism from taking acetaminophen. Doctors who take care of pregnant people and babies say that acetaminophen is safe.
• They said that parents should give their autistic children leucovorin. Leucovorin is a kind of medicine. Doctors usually give leucovorin to people who have cancer. Doctors also give leucovorin to people who are missing a certain kind of vitamin in their body. Scientists have not done enough research about how leucovorin affects autistic kids. Also, every autistic person is different. What helps one autistic person might not help another autistic person. 
• They said that vaccines cause autism. RFK has been saying that vaccines cause autism for a long time. But vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines are safe. Vaccines help stop people from getting really sick. You can read a plain language resource about vaccines and autism here.

RFK and other government leaders should listen to autistic people about what we need. RFK and other government leaders should work together with the autism community. The autism community means:

• Autistic people
• Family members of autistic people
• People who do research about autism
• Medical professionals; and 
• Groups that work with autistic people.

HHS could do a lot of things to make autistic people’s lives better. HHS has not made a lot of chances for the autism community to share thoughts about HHS choices. There is one group that was made for the autism community to talk about policy choices with government leaders. The group is called the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee is called IACC for short. IACC has not had a meeting in many months. There is a law that says IACC has to have meetings. The law is called the Autism CARES Act. Government leaders should make an IACC meeting happen soon to listen to the autism community. 

Autistic people need supports that help us succeed. We need to be able to choose the services we get. We need resources that help us. We need resources and policies that help the people who support us, like our families. Autistic people and their families deserve respectful support.

The post Plain Language: Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision-Making Based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community appeared first on AAPD.