Weekly Edition - 3.25.25

Special education experts worry as departmental changes loom on the horizon. The DOJ recently reduced ADA compliance guidance, affecting accessibility standards nationwide. But there's warmth amid concerns—NBA player Joe Ingles arranged a rare start so his son with autism could hear dad's name announced.

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The Big Idea

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

👨‍⚖️ Uncertainty looms. President Trump's executive order dismantling the U.S. Department of Education has created significant questions about protections for students with disabilities despite assurances their rights will remain intact.

While Trump stated that resources for students with disabilities "will be fully preserved" and responsibilities will transfer to another federal agency, special education experts express deep concern about the transition. On Friday, Trump clarified that the Department of Health and Human Services will now handle special education matters, an agency that currently oversees Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act but lacks experience with the broader Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Education Department has historically been responsible for enforcing IDEA, which guarantees approximately 7.5 million children with disabilities access to "free appropriate public education." This critical law prevents schools from turning away students with disabilities and mandates the creation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) to support their academic success. Additionally, the department has distributed federal funding to states for disability services, conducted vital research through state-to-state data analysis, and investigated civil rights complaints related to special education.

Though Congress will ultimately decide the fate of the Education Department, the administration has already begun reducing its workforce and functions. Hundreds of staffers involved in academic research and civil rights complaint investigations were laid off in mid-March, raising further concerns about oversight and accountability. Carrie Gillispie, a senior policy analyst at New America, notes that many questions remain unanswered about future funding, research, and accountability mechanisms for special education programs.

If you would like to read more about how these changes might affect special education services, check out the original article from USA TODAY.

Moments That Matter

Celebrating the everyday victories, breakthrough achievements, and inspiring individuals

🏀 Father first, player second. When Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch learned that Joe Ingles' 8-year-old son Jacob, who has autism, was in the stands, he made an unexpected decision—giving the veteran his first start in three years. This touching moment followed Jacob's milestone of recently sitting through his first complete NBA game, a hard-won victory after years of working through sensory challenges. "This is the stuff I'll remember forever," Ingles said after playing six minutes in the team's 134-93 win. His wife Renae captured the behind-the-scenes reality perfectly: "It's not all rainbows... it took years of work and practice and getting it wrong." 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

🌫️ ADA compliance just got murkier. The DOJ removed 11 guidance documents last Wednesday, labeling them "outdated" and "unnecessary red tape." The eliminated guidance covered crucial accommodations including hospital aide access, retail accessibility features, and disability-specific customer service protocols. Officials linked the decision to President Trump's January memorandum on reducing living costs, emphasizing business tax incentives for accessibility modifications. Disability advocates strongly pushed back, with AAPD President Maria Town insisting the guidance remains essential, while deaf Mayor Neil McDevitt characterized the move as part of a broader effort "to remove every element of enforcement from all civil rights statutes." If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Community Catalyst

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

💰️ New Jersey faces healthcare crossroads. Governor Murphy's final budget plan allocates nearly 40% of New Jersey's $58 billion spending to Medicaid and CHIP, supporting 1.8 million vulnerable residents. While state funding increases by 16% to $7.2 billion, congressional Republicans are discussing cuts that could strip up to $10 billion in federal support and leave 700,000 New Jerseyans without coverage. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.