April 10, 2026
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: GANG OF 19
Many of you are familiar with Denver’s Gang of 19, which became the core of the disability civil rights group ADAPT, known for civil disobedience protests around the country. Now, reports NPR, nearly 50 years after the Gang of 19 blocked two city buses at one of the busiest intersections in downtown Denver to demand that buses be wheelchair accessible, that city has decided to honor their remarkable fight.
NPR’s article, In 1978, they stopped buses — and helped launch a disability rights movement, doubles as a fascinating look at an important piece of history as well as a news report on Denver’s multi-million dollar renovation of the city’s Civic Center Park, which will include a memorial plaza with the name of each member of the Gang of 19 etched into a large medallion on the ground. It’s worth a read.
FEDERAL BUDGET
Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2027 (The White House)
Trump Budget Calls for Eliminating Key Disability Programs Among other things, the plan would stop directing federal funds to the nation’s university centers on developmental disabilities, and close the Administration for Community Living — with many of its functions absorbed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children, Families and Communities. An extra $100 million would go to Centers for Independent Living. As for the IDEA, it would giveth and taketh away. See the Mother Jones link for more info. (Disability Scoop/paywall)
Trump’s Budget Request Cuts Programs That Help Ordinary Americans and Sinks That Money Toward War (American Progress)
Hold off on Celebrating Trump’s Proposal to Increase Disability Education Funding While some funding for IDEA would be consolidated, the budget also included an additional $500 million for the program. Disability experts are especially wary of other aspects of what OMB head Russell Vought, Project 2025’s architect, put forward, especially “returning control of education back to America’s families.” (Mother Jones)
MEDICAID ‘FRAUD’
New York pushes back against allegations of widespread Medicaid fraud (Politico/paywall)
Oklahoma Medicaid fraud unit concludes investigations into health care providers across 10 counties (KGOU.org)
Oregon cracks down on Medicaid fraud, announces charges and convictions in multiple cases (KOIN.com)
Texas AG to ‘leverage’ DOGE data to investigate ‘dozens’ of Medicaid providers for potential fraud (NPR North Texas)
AUTISM
OPINION: Adults with autism, parents who love them face housing crisis A relatable look at an aging parent and their child’s need for housing. (GoErie)
EDUCATION
Some Advocates Concerned As States Push for Cameras in Special Education Classrooms (EdSurge)
Education Dept. Scraps Some Civil Rights Agreements The reportedly unprecedented move concerns the rights of transgender students, but doesn’t bode well for agreements in general. (Inside Higher Education)
Why Are State Departments of Early Childhood Education So Trendy Right Now? (The 74)
CAREGIVING
REPORT: AARP’s Valuing the Invaluable 2026 Here, some key takeaways:
- An estimated 59 million family caregivers helped an adult family member, neighbor, or friend with daily activities during the year; about 37 million of these caregivers (63%) were providing care each month.
- These caregivers provided a total of 49.5 billion hours of care during the year, adding up to a total economic value of $1.01 trillion (an average of $20.41 per hour).
- The economic value of family caregiving exceeded the total amount of federal, state, and local Medicaid spending in 2024 ($932 billion).
OPINION: I’m one of 48 million unpaid caregivers. Health care collapses without us. (USA Today)
STATE NEWS
Note: This starts with New York, where a majority of The Boost’s readership currently is based, and continues alphabetically by state.
NY Advocates Demand Transparency After CDPAP Overhaul Nearly one year after the home care Medicaid program was revamped, advocates demand honesty on how the saved-up cash by the state is being used or where it is coming from. (Able News)
CT lawmakers press DDS officials about ‘disturbing’ report on abuse, neglect in CT’s disability system (Yahoo via CT Insider)
Georgia Senate passes $38.5B budget with funding boost for services for people with disabilities The spending plan is destined to now be hashed out behind the scenes by leaders of both chambers. (WABE.org)
Idaho lawmakers dodged Medicaid expansion repeal. But what did they do with Medicaid? Some not-so-good stuff, such as cutting pay rates for providers who care for people with disabilities. (Idaho Capital Sun)
Louisiana parents could get more power in special education disputes When a parent believes their child’s public school isn’t providing them with an appropriate education — what federal law requires — the burden of proof is on the parent. A potential new law would transfer the burden of proof to the schools. (WWNO.org)
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit alleging Louisiana charter school entrance exam excludes students with disabilities New Orleans disability attorney Chris Edmunds said the ruling is “the first time that any federal court in the country has ever allowed a public school to exclude students with intellectual disabilities.” (Nola.com)
Missouri property tax votes could curb services for people with disabilities (Missouri Independent)
RJ’s Law: Missouri lawmakers near creation of ‘Purple Alert’ system to help locate individuals with developmental disabilities (News-Press Now)
Disability rights groups fight to protect privacy and voting rights of Wisconsinites under guardianship (WisPolitics via The Accessible Voting Booth)
VOTING
ENTERTAINMENT
GOOD IDEA
Bike-riding camp for individuals with disabilities coming to Charlottesville (29news.com)