May 23, 2025
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: DEPT. of ED
Judge blocks Trump’s orders to dismantle the Education Department and fire employees The administration, naturally, will challenge the ruling. (AP)
The two consolidated lawsuits challenging the president’s order argued that layoffs left the department unable to carry out responsibilities required by Congress, including duties to support special education, distribute financial aid and enforce civil rights laws.
NEW YORK
NYC schools fail to protect students with disabilities from lengthy suspensions (Chalkbeat)
Judge extends CDPAP transition deadline amid calls for more support and transparency (CBS 6 Albany)
Disabilities Beat: Legislators join push for ILCs to return as CDPAP fiscal intermediaries (WXXI)
Consumers requested extension of CDPAP preliminary injunction to Aug. 15 (Politico)
OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK
New Hampshire mom builds nonprofit to support adults with developmental disabilities (WMUR)
Florida families of children with developmental disabilities stuck in line for assistance (CBS News)
As Trump Shakes Up Oversight of Special Ed, Frustrated DC Parents Want Change The district reportedly has failed to identify and adequately serve thousands of students with disabilities and has one of the highest rates of special ed complaints in the nation. (The 74 )
MEDICAID
Federal budget bill would squeeze state Medicaid budgets (Pluribus News)
HEALTH CARE
Families of disabled children frequently struggle to pay medical bills (Washington Post)
EDUCATION
Nonprofit Wants to Take on Civil Rights Cases Trump’s Ed Dept. Left Behind The National Center for Youth Law is hiring former department attorneys to resolve complaints. (The 74)
States Drop Effort To Overturn Section 504, But Continue To Challenge Disability Protections (Disability Scoop)
Supreme Court deadlock leaves in place ruling blocking nation’s first religious charter school (CNN)
Ill. Teacher Dragged 6-Year-Old With Autism by His Ankle. Federal Civil Rights Officials Might Not Do Anything. The department’s Office for Civil Rights regional office in Chicago was one of seven abolished by the administration in March. (ProPublica)
Specialized charter schools need to ensure inclusive practices, report says (K-12 Dive)
AUTISM
Exclusive: Trump administration defunds autism research in DEI and ‘gender ideology’ purge During the first four months of 2025, the NIH has reduced funding for autism-related research by an estimated $31 million to $116 million from $147 million in the same period in 2024. (Reuters)
For kids with autism, swim classes can be lifesaving (AP)
Autism Leaders United in Call for Action Following Roundtable in Washington D.C. (ASAN)
As autism ignites a national conversation, Temple Grandin has something to say (NBC News)