December 5, 2025
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: A NOT-SO-HAPPY IDEA ANNIVERSARY
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed into law 50 years ago this week, gave children with intellectual and developmental disabilities the right to a free and appropriate education. What was then-called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act has given millions of children the chance to thrive and live full lives.
Decades later, the Trump administration has made it its mission to dismantle the structure put in place to ensure IDEA is funded and followed. So far, special ed funding and resources have been cut, state budgets are being squeezed, and the administration has already tried once to gut the program’s Office of Civil Rights in an attempt to disappear its legal responsibilities.
IDEA AT 50 This puts the law in fast context and offers an excellent slate of statistics and facts. (Center for American Progress)
The challenge of moving special ed out of the Ed Dept. Leaving federal special ed law primarily to the states means disparate access to school and resources will continue to grow. (Politico)
50 years after the birth of special ed, some fear for its future under Trump Interviews with 40 parents, educators and disability rights advocates. (NPR)
Teacher shortages hinder special ed progress Since the 1990s, the staffing storage in U.S. schools has hit special education the hardest. A look at what this means. (K-12 Dive)
Ed Dept. outsourcing is unlawful, amended lawsuit claims (K-12 Dive)
More Education News
Bonuses Aren’t Solving Hawaiʻi’s Special Ed Teacher Shortage (The 74)
Michigan fails its students with disabilities, first-ever report finds (AP)
Wisconsin school districts spent more on special ed, will be reimbursed less (WPR)
Florida bill would create safety plan for students with disabilities who run away (Spectrum. News 13)
Philadelphia wants more continuity for kids with autism but planning to close classes that support it (Chalkbeat)
‘Abhorrent’: Cleveland teachers, parents criticize special ed approach in consolidation plan (Ideastream Public Media)
STATE NEWS
Upstate New York loses center providing psychiatric care to people with disabilities Factors include a lack of new psychiatrists to replace retirees. (Times Union)
Housing shortage for Vermonters with developmental disabilities spurs call for more funding (Vermont Public)
State cuts could cause lapse in transportation services for disabled adults in San Francisco (KTVU)
Oklahoma program aims to fill long-term care shortages by certifying high schoolers (Oklahoma Voice)
Minnesota issues two-year moratorium on licensing providers for HCBS (Minnesota Reformer)
California students with disabilities face ‘terrifying’ special ed cuts after Trump changes (AP)
CDC
The Undermining of the C.D.C. (The New Yorker)
Americans More Likely to Accept Guidance from AMA than CDC on Vaccine Safety (Annenberg Public Policy Center)
Kennedy Sharpens Vaccine Attacks, Without Scientific Backing (KFF)
MEDICAID
A Look at Waiting Lists for Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services from 2016 to 2025 (KFF)
5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Provider Taxes (KFF)
CAREGIVING
To Address Disability Caregiver Crisis, Feds Look To AI U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services is launching a Caregiver AI Prize Competition. (Disability Scoop)
SNAP
Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP benefits from blue states over immigration data (NBC News)
SNAP benefits are a ‘lifeline’ — especially for people with disabilities (The 19th)
AUTISM
Families worry as cost of autism therapy comes under state scrutiny (Stateline)
Everyone Uses This Coping Strategy. When Does It Become a Problem? (New York Times)
TECHNOLOGY
Samsung Launches Accessibility Mapping Initiative for Disabilities (The Tech Buzz)
IMMIGRATION
A disabled child reported missing put into federal custody for 48 days. (The 19th)
GOOD WORK
She asked her neighbours to say hi to her son. It’s sparked a conversation (CBC)