Weekly Edition - 2.11.25

⛰️ Students with disabilities face mounting educational challenges, while job training programs fall short of their promises. Yet amid these concerns, one couple's remarkable 30-year journey shows us what's possible when barriers fall away.

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The Big Idea

This week’s featured story: a closer look at developments making waves in the I/DD community

🔢 Numbers don't lie: students with disabilities are falling dangerously behind in America's classrooms, and the latest Nation's Report Card proves it.

The achievement gap is staggering - these students score up to 40 points lower than their peers in core subjects like reading and math. For eighth-graders with disabilities, the situation is getting worse, with scores declining since 2022. This isn't just about statistics - it represents real children struggling in real classrooms across the country.

The scale of this challenge is immense. Meet Alex, a kindergartener who perfectly illustrates the complexity: brilliant enough to read any text put in front of him, yet needing intensive support to handle routine classroom changes. He's one of 7 million students with disabilities in our public schools - a number that's doubled in just 40 years. While two-thirds of these students spend most of their day in general education classrooms, teachers often lack the training and resources to support them effectively.

Research clearly shows that inclusive classrooms work better than segregated ones. However, without proper support systems in place, both teachers and students find themselves struggling. This isn't just about hiring more special education teachers - it's about transforming how we prepare all educators to create truly inclusive learning environments that serve every student's needs.

For a deeper look at this critical education issue, you can read the complete article here.

Moments That Matter

Celebrating the everyday victories, breakthrough achievements, and inspiring individuals

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 He wore a beautiful suit. She made assumptions. Three decades later, their love story is redefining what's possible for couples in the disability community. Elizabeth and Stephen Wampler's 30-year marriage has become a testament to looking beyond first impressions and challenging society's preconceptions about relationships involving people with disabilities.

The Wamplers' journey showcases how meaningful partnerships can flourish when we look past initial prejudices. Stephen, an environmental engineer, and Elizabeth built a life together that extended far beyond their personal happiness. They founded Camp Wamp, a summer camp that has served over 1,250 children with physical disabilities, creating lasting impact in the disability community. Stephen's historic climb of El Capitan – completing 20,000 pull-ups over six days – demonstrated that determination knows no limits.

Their experience raising two children, now in their twenties, offers valuable insights for parents in the I/DD community. The couple's approach to parenting centered on creating an environment of normalcy, kindness, and protection. Their children grew up seeing their father's disability as just one aspect of his identity, maintaining a relationship where they "keep it real" and "don't give their dad an inch."

If you would like to read more about the Wamplers' inspiring journey, check out the original article from CBS News.

Across The Nation

From Capitol Hill to community centers: the national updates shaping our collective future

🗒️ Millions of disabled students missing out on job training. A $500 million federal program designed to help students with disabilities transition into the workforce is failing to reach those who need it most. In 2023, only 295,000 of 3.1 million eligible students received these vital pre-employment transition services. New Jersey stands out with particularly concerning numbers – just 2% of eligible students accessed this support, leaving thousands without crucial job training and career guidance.

Students who do receive services often find success, like the young woman who became a librarian's assistant or the student now managing a Walgreens store. But systemic issues, including poor communication between schools and vocational rehabilitation counselors, bureaucratic delays, and lack of federal oversight, continue to prevent most families from accessing this life-changing program. For those interested in learning more about these pre-employment transition services, the original article provides additional details and resources.

🧠 Studies reveal a notable overlap between autism and asexuality, with research showing that about 33% of autistic individuals identify as asexual, compared to 1% of the general population. Several factors contribute to this correlation, including sensory processing differences and challenges with interoception – the brain's ability to identify bodily signals. For some autistic individuals, the unpredictability of physical intimacy can create anxiety, while others may find the social aspects of relationships overwhelming. Experts emphasize that this represents a natural variation in human sexuality and relationship preferences, not a deficit. The article highlights the importance of comprehensive sex education for autistic individuals and challenges misconceptions about autism and relationships.

Community Catalyst

Local Inovation Worth Spreading: See how local changes are creating ripples of progress nationwide

🏥 A first for New York families: specialized care closer to home. The Center for Discovery's new hospital in Rock Hill offers short-term inpatient care for children ages 5-21 with autism and other developmental disabilities. The $52 million project features a comprehensive care model including medical treatment, behavioral support, and therapeutic services. Families receive specialized care plans and ongoing support after their child's stay, with the goal of reducing long-term residential placements and keeping children connected to their communities. The 15-acre campus includes innovative features like sensory rooms, healing gardens, and a Food is Medicine greenhouse. Additional details and official statements are available in the complete press release.

🪪 A mother's fear for her son sparked a potentially life-saving change to Maryland IDs. The proposed Eric's ID Law would let residents voluntarily disclose nonapparent disabilities on their driver's licenses and state IDs, stemming from one family's concerns about police interactions with their African American son who has an invisible disability. The system would add a special symbol to IDs, designed with disability advocates, while ensuring privacy and requiring no proof of disability. With research showing people with developmental disabilities are seven times more likely to encounter law enforcement, this law's required police training could transform these crucial interactions for the better. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.