Weekly Edition 2.18.25

🪖 Legal battles intensify as states challenge special education protections and Congress debates deep Medicaid cuts. New autism clinic opens in Ohio while Disney faces disability access lawsuit.

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The Big Idea

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

⚖️ Your child's educational rights face an unprecedented challenge. Seventeen states have joined forces in a lawsuit that could eliminate crucial protections for students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

While the lawsuit initially targets the inclusion of gender dysphoria as a disability, its scope extends far beyond. The legal challenge seeks to declare Section 504 entirely unconstitutional – the very law that ensures students with conditions ranging from ADHD to diabetes receive necessary accommodations and protection from discrimination in schools.

The implications are profound for families across the nation. If successful, this lawsuit would eliminate the federal requirement for 504 plans, affecting millions of students who rely on these accommodations for conditions like visual impairment, epilepsy, depression, and heart disease. State officials claim 504 plans aren't at risk, but the lawsuit explicitly demands Section 504 be declared unconstitutional and permanently blocked from enforcement.

The timing is particularly concerning. With the potential dissolution of the Department of Education and conversion of IDEA funding into unrestricted state block grants, students with disabilities could face a dramatic reduction in educational support and legal protections.

If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Across The Nation

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

💲 States may soon shoulder a heavier Medicaid burden. A House Republican proposal seeks to reduce federal Medicaid spending by nearly one-third through new caps and matching rate changes. For the I/DD community, this shift could mean states having to choose between raising taxes or reducing vital services that help people live independently in their communities. The proposed $2.3 trillion reduction would fundamentally alter how Medicaid operates across the country. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

🐭 Disney faces a fight. A class-action lawsuit challenges recent changes to their Disability Access Service (DAS), with a California woman claiming the new policy discriminates against guests with physical disabilities. The revamped system, which now limits eligibility to those with developmental disabilities, faces scrutiny over privacy violations and unequal access concerns. For families navigating theme park visits, this case could redefine how major attractions accommodate disabilities nationwide. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Community Catalyst

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

💫 Hope spreads. Every new autism diagnostic center brings us closer to a future where no family waits endlessly for answers. In Northeast Ohio, Easterseals' latest victory opens doors with a clinic designed to slash those painful year-long waiting lists. Their blueprint for success? A dedicated team of specialists, sensory-friendly spaces, and something truly game-changing - a social worker who personally guides families to the exact resources their child needs. Starting with Medicaid-insured families, they're proving what's possible when communities invest in accessible diagnostic services. As centers like this emerge across the country, they light the way for others to follow, bringing us closer to a nation where every child gets vital support when it matters most. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.