Weekly Edition - 5.6.25

Education faces a 15% cut in Trump's new "skinny budget." Yet globally, innovation thrives as a Nigerian teen shatters world records with an enormous canvas and Adidas unveils life-changing footwear designed specifically for people with Down syndrome.

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The Big Idea

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

✂️ Cuts loom. President Trump's preliminary "skinny budget" proposal revealed significant cuts that could directly impact special education and disability services.

The administration's new budget blueprint calls for a 15% reduction in federal education funding, potentially affecting numerous programs that support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This "skinny budget" - a term for the initial outline released before a comprehensive budget proposal - signals the administration's spending priorities while offering limited details on specific program cuts.

For the I/DD community, these potential education cuts raise serious concerns. Federal funding supports critical special education services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), assistive technology programs, and specialized instructor training. Any significant reduction could diminish resources available to students with disabilities who rely on these supports for educational access and success.

Parents and caregivers should note that this preliminary proposal faces a long legislative process before becoming reality. Congress ultimately controls federal spending, and historically, many presidential budget proposals undergo substantial revisions before final approval. Education advocacy groups, including those representing disability interests, are already mobilizing to protect critical funding streams.

If you would like to read more about the proposed "skinny budget" and its potential implications for education funding, check out the original article from EdNC.

Moments That Matter

Celebrating the everyday victories, breakthrough achievements, and inspiring individuals

🖌️ A brush created history. Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old autistic Nigerian artist, has set a Guinness World Record for creating the world's largest art canvas at 12,304 square meters. His artwork "Impossibility is a Myth" features an autism awareness ribbon surrounded by emojis, unveiled during World Autism Awareness Day in Abuja. His creation doesn't just showcase breathtaking talent – it speaks directly to families navigating autism's daily challenges in Nigeria, where resources remain scarce and stigma stubbornly persists. 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

🪖 Military kids with disabilities are being left behind. GAO investigators found that nearly 40% of DoDEA overseas schools failed to deliver promised special education services last year, with some children waiting over 12 months for critical support. The root problem? A 2015 staffing formula that hasn't been updated in a decade and only counts student numbers—not the actual hours of specialized instruction each child legally requires. This affects approximately 10,000 students with conditions ranging from autism to traumatic brain injuries. Making matters worse, special education teacher turnover has reached a staggering 68%, creating a revolving door of professionals that disrupts learning progress. School staff overwhelmingly confirmed that current resources can't meet students' legally mandated education plans. 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

👟 Adidas unveils groundbreaking performance shoe designed specifically for people with Down syndrome, addressing unique foot anomalies and developed in collaboration with athletes from the community - set to launch in 2026 after three years of testing and development.