October 16, 2025
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: GOV’T. SHUTDOWN
When the shutdown, which will extend into next week, started on Oct. 1, the Trump administration announced mass reductions in force (RIFs), or layoffs, of the federal workforce.
The layoffs, reports the AP, are part of a politically motivated effort by the Trump administration to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continue. They’re also in keeping with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which Trump is closely following, and which aims to align the government with far-right values and consolidate presidential power. One of its missions is to shut down the Department of Education.
Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from firing workers during government shutdown In good news, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order. In not good news, it’s likely to be appealed. (AP)
What the Shutdown Means for SNAP & Other Programs November SNAP benefits might be delayed or interrupted, and “people will go hungry, including people with disabilities and their families.” (AAPD)
What happened before the temporary restraining order, and what could still happen:
White House Guts Education Department With More Layoffs The Office of Special Education Programs, the principal government arm overseeing billions of dollars that support about 10% of the nation’s school-aged children, has been decimated. It will have fewer than a half-dozen employees, a reduction of about 95% since the start of the year. The Office for Civil Rights in the department was also slashed. (NYT)
Education Department layoffs hit offices that oversee special education and civil rights enforcement (Chalkbeat)
CAMERAS IN CLASSROOMS
Jefferson Parish in Louisiana to install cameras in all special ed classrooms under new law Every classroom for students with disabilities in Louisiana must have microphone-equipped cameras up and running by February 2026. The law also requires districts to update their seclusion and restraint policies. (Nola.com)
MORE SPECIAL ED
Disability groups urge against assessment and accountability waivers Concerns are being raised about states and districts waiving K-12 accountability and assessment requirements, saying these standards help set high expectations for all students, including those receiving special ed services. (K12 Dive)
AUTISM
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Tylenol-Autism Link and Vaccine Policies The poll’s key findings show how HHS head Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is sowing confusion with his false claims that pregnant women using acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) and vaccines cause autism.
- 77% of the public report having heard the Tylenol claim, and many are unsure whether it is true.
- 4% of adults say it is “definitely true” that taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing autism.
- 35% say the claim is “definitely false.”
- Most adults – including majorities across many demographics – express uncertainty, saying the unproven claim is either “probably true” or “probably false.”
- Belief in this claim is closely tied to partisanship, with most Republicans, including over half of Republican women, saying it is either “probably” or “definitely true.”
Debunking 3 claims about Tylenol after White House links drug’s use in pregnancy to autism (ABC News)
A Furious Debate Over Autism’s Causes Leaves Parents Grasping for Answers (New York Times)
RFK Jr. suggests circumcision is linked to autism. Here’s what experts say. They say “no.” (CBS News)
Autism Is Not a Single Condition and Has No Single Cause, Scientists Conclude (Wired)
700 times, boy with autism ran from class. He wandered one final time from home. More children with autism died in 2024 after wandering away — 82 — than in any other year since the National Autism Association began tracking cases over 20 years ago. (Washington Post)
STATE NEWS
NYS education leaders say more supports after high school needed for students with disabilities (WXXI News)
Debating New York’s CDPAP changes (Rochester Beacon)
N.J. is worst in America at putting kids with disabilities in regular classes. Here’s why that may change. A state special education advisory group has pledged to examine the issue. (nj.com)
Renewed accessible parking protections are headed to Delaware. For some, it’s long overdue (Delaware Online)
Oregon is the first state to be ‘Accessibility Verified’ by platform for travelers with disabilities There are a handful of platforms handing out accessible or “autism certified” designations. (KLCC Oregon)
‘Accessible’ Playgrounds Not Always Inclusive Enough in Maryland With the “Playgrounds for All” initiative, the state set out to increase inclusive playgrounds. (Note: If you hit the Disability Scoop paywall, this report was originally published on The Baltimore Sun’s website; I was having trouble with the link so couldn’t attach it.) (Disability Scoop)
Idaho Medicaid cuts could force disability providers to close. The state wants to exempt services. (Idaho Capital Sun)
‘Catastrophic’ service cuts for Arizona kids with disabilities on hold (ABC 15)
SUPREME COURT
Supreme Court To Weigh How Intellectual Disability Is Defined You can find more on the case on Scotus Blog. Just scroll down until you hit “A death penalty case asks who is intellectually disabled.” (Disability Scoop)
AGING & I/DD
OPINION: Seniors with Disabilities: Caring for a Unique Population Americans 60 and older living with an intellectual or developmental disability occupy a unique community within the I/DD and senior-care field, and one that remain largely overlooked. (Healthcare Business Today)
ETHICS
Who Deserves an Organ? The Dilemma of Severe Mental Illness. While the focus here is mental illness, it raises obvious questions about the impact on people with I/DD. (New York Times)
TECHNOLOGY
The Best Smart Assistive Devices for People With Disabilities (Wirecutter/NYT)