I just learned about the Plain Truth Project and wanted to share its mission and link right away. A collaboration among journalists, researchers, and self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it has a critical goal: Making the news more inclusive.
We know what most politicians claim they don’t: People with I/DD care deeply about the issues that affect their lives, and they vote in elections. It’s critical that these individuals pay attention to the news and are included in the news as sources.
The Plain Truth Project’s research paper, “You’ve got to either adapt to us or get out of the field”: A qualitative analysis of people with intellectual disabilities’ perspectives on journalism and news media, published last April, looks at why people with I/DD have a generally negative perception of the news, the barriers they face, and more. Here, a few highlights:
Colorado Democrats want to protect the civil rights of students with disabilities Legislation would task the state ed department with investigating complaints of schools falling short in serving kids with 504 plan. (Colorado Sun)
DHHS ‘error’ in case of Nebraskan with disabilities hits home with state lawmaker He and wife fear some vulnerable Nebraskans are being “peeled off” of public health insurance benefits. (Nebraska Examiner)
Path to Independence students in Nevada find community and gain confidence through inclusive campus living It’s the only program in the state to offer fully inclusive on-campus housing for students with I/DD. (Nevada Today)
In NJ, Families closer to health coverage for adult kids with disabilities Legislation would compel insurers to continue benefits after age 26. (NJ Spotlight News)
Disabilities Beat: Buffalo, NY, Public Schools suspension disparities reflect a national problem The podcast speaks with a national expert who believes fixing problems with inequitable punishment is going to be left to the states. (Buffalo Toronto Public Media)
NYC’s Mamdani budget would stabilize funding for summer school and preschool special education (Chalkbeat)
New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 64 To Strengthen Support For Students With Disabilities The bill establishes the role of deputy secretary for special education. (Los Alamos Daily Post)
In Texas, mother of special needs child reports challenges getting paperwork for $30,000 school voucher Many districts have a backlog of IEPs for public school students; add in private school students needing new IEPS for vouchers, and some parents say it’s created a headache. (CBS News)
Washington bill could cut funding for children’s disability services The program at risk, E-SIT, helps babies and infants with severe medical and genetic conditions. (KXLY)
Should people with autism and very high needs have a separate diagnosis? Takeaways from AP’s report As the definition of autism has widened, there’s been a growing push to create a new diagnosis, called profound autism, for those who need constant and lifelong care. (AP)
As some people push to make profound autism its own diagnosis, this family is raising twins with it (AP)
Autism Study of Drug Touted By Trump Administration Retracted The European Journal of Pediatrics posted a notice late last month indicating that it was withdrawing a study on leucovorin in children with autism due to inconsistencies in the data. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments (ProPublica)
The Autism Society’s Capitol Connection newsletter breaks down what’s provided for people with disabilities in the approved funding package. (Autism Society)
Trump’s election bill tops 50 Senate votes, but Democrats could still block it The SAVE America Act would create new barriers to voting. (NBC News)
Racial and Ethnic Variation in the Prevalence of Long-Term Services and Supports Needs (Brandeis)
Project Eugenics: The Rollback of Disability Rights (New Disabled South)
Global Disability Legislation Index A guide to disability laws and policy, with a focus on employment, across 100 countries. (The Valuable 500; first seen in Disability Debrief newsletter)
New Oregon study shows why Medicaid patients nationwide struggle to find doctors (Oregon Live)
An Interview with Bob Williams A talk with the nationally recognized leader on policy issues relating to supporting people with the most significant disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their own homes and communities. (UnHidden)
Elana Meyers Taylor’s victory in her fifth Olympics was about far more than gold The American won her first Winter Games title at 41 while advocating for Black athletes, mothers and the deaf and Down’s syndrome communities. (The Guardian)
In the Chicago suburbs, young adults with special needs say ‘Yes, and…’ to improv (WBEZ)
Hours of tearful testimony result in pause to some Medicaid cuts for Coloradans with disabilities The proposals were to cap the number of hours family caregivers could bill for what is often round-the-clock medical care. (Colorado Sun)
Lawmakers initiate reform of Maine’s fraught school funding formula The bill is based on researcher recommendations that include integrating local poverty rates and reforming the special education model. (Press Herald)
Mich. Gov.: Raise $800M for Medicaid by taxing nicotine, gambling, ads (Bridge Michigan)
Missouri families worry proposed $80.7M cut will hobble disability care programs The cut will, among other things, slash pay rates for families’ care staff by between 21% and 29%. (St. Louis Public Radio)
In NY, people with disabilities lobby for better worker pay, housing access Top issues include better pay for workers, expanded access to affordable housing for direct care system employees, and providing more access to employment opportunities. (WXXI)
Albany, NY, children’s nursing home pays $1.3M for years of neglect St. Margaret’s Center failed to properly staff and care for chronically ill and disabled children while billing Medicaid for services it never adequately provided. (Times Union)
New York to overhaul Medicaid mental health care for children under landmark settlement The deal includes an 18-month planning period followed by additional time for implementation, a timeline that concerns advocates and families. (Spectrum Local News)
As Spring Primaries Approach, Some Disabled Voters in Texas Unable to Cast Ballot Federal lawsuit filed against Harris County says those in military and overseas, and even astronauts in outer space, can use electronic ballots—but not disabled voters. (Disability Rights Texas)
Neighborhood Conditions for Adults with Disabilities in Chicago – 2025 (Chicago.gov) See also: 1 in 4 Chicago adults live with a disability, majority on South and West sides, report finds (Chicago Sun Times)
Preserving Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Family Caregivers (MMA Partners)
Study finds no link between COVID-19 vaccines and autism (Univ. of Minn. CIDRAP)
Altering IDEA Poses ‘Substantial Risk’ To Students With Disabilities, Advocates Warn The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, known as HELP, is weighing whether to move forward on multiple bills that would amend the IDEA. In particular, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who chairs the HELP committee, is keen to move forward with his 21st Century Dyslexia Act, a bipartisan bill that would classify dyslexia as its own category under IDEA, Senate HELP committee has not publicly announced a hearing on any of the IDEA bills. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
How Nashville Dismantled Segregated Classrooms for Students With Disabilities (EdWeek; paywall)
Cameras are now recording special ed classes in Louisiana public schools. Here’s what to know. (Nola)
Idaho expands mentoring program for parents navigating special education The pilot program pairs a parent who has been through the IEP process with an incoming parent new to the process. (Idaho Ed News)
Giving Bigger, Organizing More Boldly: Centering Disability Justice (NPQ)
ICE’s Mistreatment of People with Disabilities “It is unacceptable that detainees with disabilities are routinely denied access to medications, assistive devices, and means of communication until emergencies arise.” (The Progressive)
Colorado forced to share personal Medicaid data with Trump administration, including ICE (Colorado Sun)
How special educators can help students when ICE comes to town Special educators in St. Paul, Minn., are turning to COVID-19-era resources to help some impacted students access learning virtually. (K12-Dive)
Study: Early intervention services linked to improved academic outcomes (Contemporary Pediatrics via JAMA)
Local non-profit where plants and adults with developmental disabilities bloom and flourish (News 12 Long Island)
Judge rejects bid to raise burden of proof in NYC school suspension hearings (Chalkbeat)
Arizona lawmakers keep Division of Developmental Disabilities afloat — for now (KJZZ.com)
Georgia parents file growing number of special education complaints against school districts (Atlanta News First)
Louisiana school illegally shortened school days for student with disabilities, lawsuit claims (Verite News)
In Maryland, Advocates Say Services, workers at risk from second year of developmental disabilities budget cuts (Maryland Matters)
FDA Removes Warning Page About Dangerous Autism Treatments (MedPage Today)
Autism Incidence in Girls and Boys May Be Nearly Equal, Study Suggests (The Guardian)
NIH director says he hasn’t seen evidence that vaccines cause autism (The Hill)
Trump Wanted To Cut Disability Programs. Congress Just Said No (Disability Scoop)
How people with disabilities could bear the burden of Medicaid funding cuts (PBS News Hour)
Moving towards justice for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Psychology Today)
Testimony: Minnesota woman with disabilities detained during ICE surge (Fox9.com)
Snowstorms Are Hell for Wheelchair Users—But They Don’t Have to Be (Mother Jones)
How I Found My Voice as a Man With Nonspeaking Autism (The 74)
Judge rejects bid to raise burden of proof in NYC school suspension hearings Black students and those with disabilities are disproportionately removed from their classrooms. (Chalkbeat)
Arizona lawmakers keep Division of Developmental Disabilities afloat — for now (KJZZ.com)
Georgia parents file growing number of special education complaints against school districts (Atlanta News First)
School in Louisiana illegally shortened school days for student with disabilities, lawsuit claims (Verite News)
In Maryland, Advocates Say Services, workers at risk from second year of developmental disabilities budget cuts (Maryland Matters)
Developmental disability advocates in Nebraska fear proposed changes (NebraskaPublic Media)
FDA Removes Warning Page About Dangerous Autism Treatments (MedPage Today; paywall but can register for free)
Autism Incidence in Girls and Boys May Be Nearly Equal, Study Suggests Females may be just as likely to be autistic as males but boys are up to four times more likely to be diagnosed in childhood, according to a large-scale study. (The Guardian)
NIH director says he hasn’t seen evidence that vaccines cause autism (The Hill)
Trump Wanted To Cut Disability Programs. Congress Just Said No Federal lawmakers approved a spending package that rejects Trump administration efforts to alter the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and do away with some disability programs. Its language is designed to thwart the administration’s efforts to move special education out of the Education Department. (Disability Scoop)
How people with disabilities could bear the burden of Medicaid funding cuts (PBS News Hour)
Moving towards justice for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Psychology Today)
Testimony: Minnesota woman with disabilities detained during ICE surge (Fox9.com)
Snowstorms Are Hell for Wheelchair Users—But They Don’t Have to Be (Mother Jones)
How I Found My Voice as a Man With Nonspeaking Autism (The 74)
The ‘R-Word’ Returns, Dismaying Those Who Fought to Oust It
NY lawmakers skeptical of Gov.’s claimed $1.2B Savings in Medicaid home care program (Spectrum Local News)
Plan to cut Medicaid rates for Coloradans with disabilities gets no support from governing board, moves ahead anyway (The Colorado Sun)
In Detroit, Mich., three women with disabilities win federal ADA lawsuit (Detroit Free Press)
Children With Disabilities Particularly Vulnerable to Minneapolis ICE Crackdown (The 74)
DHHS won’t seek to cap Medicaid waiver caregiver hours for Nebraskans with disabilities, elderly
CMS finalizes limits on state provider taxes that fund Medicaid (Modern Healthcare)
Medicaid Cuts Put Disability Services At Risk, Advocates Warn (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Health Secretary Kennedy Names 21 New Members to US Autism Advisory Panel (Reuters)
Migraine and autism: An overlooked comorbidity in need of clinical attention (UCLA Health)
Private school choice could ‘undermine’ special education gains, COPAA says (K-12 Dive)
Should dyslexia be its own IDEA category? These bipartisan bills say yes (K-12 Dive)
COVID exposure in utero not linked to early neurodevelopmental issues, study suggests (Univ. of Minnesota)
Two Wins that Give Children with Disabilities More Choices in the House Minibus (National Center for Public Policy research)
This week, The New York Times published The ‘R-Word’ Returns, Dismaying Those Who Fought to Oust It, and if it seems as if a version of this piece has been coming out monthly, it’s because it pretty much has.
The examples of people, including those in positions of power, using the demeaning word for sport and to prove their “anti-woke” bona fides has grown exponentially. President Trump has led the way, from reportedly calling then-Vice President Kamala Harris the “r-word” in a donor meeting in 2024, to using the slur to describe Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz this past November.
“The drumbeat and use of this word has been like nothing I’ve seen in a very long time,” Katy Neas, the chief executive of the Arc of the United States, told the Times. “It’s language used by bullies to bully.”
NY lawmakers skeptical of Gov.’s claimed $1.2B Savings in Medicaid home care program The program’s transition has been controversial and contentious, with advocates calling it disastrous. Lawmakers want proof of the allegedly huge savings. (Spectrum Local News)
Calif. mother says LA school calls police over autistic kindergartner’s behavior She’d like them to stop criminalizing her son’s disability. (Fox 11 LA)
Plan to cut Medicaid rates for Coloradans with disabilities gets no support from governing board, moves ahead anyway Gov. Jared Polis gives state Medicaid officials the go-ahead. (The Colorado Sun)
In Detroit, Mich., three women with disabilities win federal ADA lawsuit Several government buildings will have enhanced mobility access. (Detroit Free Press)
Children With Disabilities Particularly Vulnerable to Minneapolis ICE Crackdown They’re missing school and appointments, and parents tell The 74 they have no faith that immigration officials would be patient with a child who can’t immediately respond to orders. (The 74)
DHHS won’t seek to cap Medicaid waiver caregiver hours for Nebraskans with disabilities, elderly (Nebraska Examiner)
Vermonters With Developmental Disabilities Can Fish for Free (Seven Days Vermont)
CMS finalizes limits on state provider taxes that fund Medicaid (Modern Healthcare)
Medicaid Cuts Put Disability Services At Risk, Advocates Warn A report from ANCOR and United Cerebral Palsy warns that improvements in the state of the DSP workforce could soon be reversed due to the ending of funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and the nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Texas and Eight Other States Renew Attack on Section 504 and the Right of Disabled People to Live in their Communities They claim a rule about the integration mandate published by HHS is unlawful and unconstitutional. The suit is a revised version of Texas v. Kennedy. Eight states recently dropped out of that litigation after HHS proposed a package of three egregious regulations aimed at the transgender community. (The Arc)
Health Secretary Kennedy Names 21 New Members to US Autism Advisory Panel The panel includes vaccine skeptics, and autism experts in the scientific community are criticizing the appointments. (Reuters)
Migraine and autism: An overlooked comorbidity in need of clinical attention One study reports a lifetime migraine prevalence of approximately 42% among people with autism compared with roughly 20% in a control population. (UCLA Health)
Private school choice could ‘undermine’ special education gains, COPAA says A look at the report from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, which found that as private school choice programs expanded, they enrolled proportionately fewer students with disabilities. (K-12 Dive)
Should dyslexia be its own IDEA category? These bipartisan bills say yes (K-12 Dive)
OPINION: Moving Special Ed to HHS Will Treat It Like a Medical Problem. It’s Not The authors say moving the program to an agency like HHS inevitably shifts the focus of special ed from education to health care, thus pathologizing disabled students. (The 74)
COVID exposure in utero not linked to early neurodevelopmental issues, study suggests (Univ. of Minnesota)
What it takes for families to thrive when caring for a medically complex child (Bloom Blog)
Two Wins that Give Children with Disabilities More Choices in the House Minibus Tucked inside the House minibus package deserves are two provisions that represent meaningful progress for children with disabilities and the families who care for them: The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509); and The Care for Military Kids Act (H.R. 3399). (National Center for Public Policy research)
The Independence Fallacy That Disabled People Face “Often, rehabilitation goals, outsider opinions and internalized perceptions put the illusion of independence as the gold standard. … These assertions completely ignore that the human experience has been built on interdependence.” (Psychology Today)
‘Take Me Home’ Review: A Story of Caregiving Challenges Balances Dark Truths With Charm and Humor Writer-director Liz Sargent casts her sister Anna Sargent in the story of a cognitively disabled woman facing tough realities about her aging parents. (Hollywood Reporter)
Kathy Hochul’s NY budget boosts spending on Medicaid, schools (Press Connects)
Advocates call out NY governor over CDPAP transition (CBS6 Albany)
Parents Sue Residential Home Over Abuse of Their Autistic Son A whistle-blower had sent footage of the assault. (NYT)
NJ creates task force to review special ed student transportation safety (WRNJ Radio)
Group homes face fines in NJ with new law. How it works Abuse and neglect has been described as “rampant,” but it’s unclear how often — if at all — fines will be used. (NorthJersey.com)
Calif. cut a program that supports people with disabilities in disasters (LA ist)
In Fla., special ed teachers in highest demand, report shows (Florida Phoenix)
Colorado proposes cutting paid caregiving hours from 112 to 56 per week (KOAA.com)
Special ed parents say kids are falling through the cracks of Idaho schools (Boise State Public Radio)
Iowa Department of HHS intends to implement two new HCBS waivers (Iowa.gov)
State assessment tool for Nebraskans with developmental disabilities leaves families ‘scrambling’ (KETV.com)
New Hampshire convenes committee to review abuse and deaths within disability care system (New Hampshire Bulletin)
Nebraska families urge lawmakers, DHHS to stop Medicaid waiver caps for Nebraskans with disabilities (Nebraska Examiner)
Tennessee bill proposes cameras in special ed classrooms, sparking privacy debate (News Channel 9)
Texas increased special ed funding. Now, the state has to decide where it will go (Houston Public Media)
One Beautiful Bill Act impacts money states can raise for their Medicaid programs | First Listen States ability to raise money through provider taxes limited under new federal rules. (NPR Illinois)
RESEARCH: Medicaid’s Home Care Support for Family Caregivers in 2025 This issue brief describes the availability of self-directed services and supports for family caregivers in Medicaid home care in 2025, before most provisions in Trump’s reconciliation law, estimated to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion over the next decade, take effect. (KFF)
Congress Poised To Reject Trump Changes To Special Ed, Disability Programs Special ed funding would increase by $20 million under the bill, which also spurns a Trump plan to alter IDEA in order to consolidate funding and give states more control over where dollars go. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Congress moves to reject Trump plan to slash Education Department funding (High Ed Dive)
Bipartisan K-12 budget proposal would stall gutting of Education Department (K-12 Dive)
Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12 (K-12 Dive)
Higher Ed Prepares for New Era of Accessibility Looming federal regulations update the ADA to make web content and mobile apps more accessible, but universities are scrambling to comply by the April deadline. (Inside Higher Ed)
No Link Between Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Autism, a Study Finds The review looked at more than three dozen studies (NYT)
California wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy linked to autism risk in children The new research focused on exposure to PM 2.5, tiny particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream. (NBC News)
What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong? Several recent studies have identified apparent groups within the catch-all term of autism that are also underpinned by patterns of genes and brain activity. (New Scientist)
STUDY: Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Autism, and the Role of Leucovorin There is still a lack of scientific evidence establishing that the drug is a safe and effective treatment for autism. (The New England Journal of Medicine)
Defending the Disabled A look at the possibilities and challenges of helping those with cognitive impairments stay out of prison and get the resources they need to live productive lives. (NPR)
People With Disabilities Are More Likely Than Those Without to Have Court Experience (Pew)
The Danger ICE Poses to the Disabled Community Law enforcement across the board has a violent record when it comes to the treatment of people who are disabled. (Nonprofit Quarterly)
‘Disability erasure’: New film tells untold story of disabled victims of Holocaust
How a Staten Island, NY, boxing gym is helping those with disabilities build confidence (SI Live)
Project 2025 author and top Trump official: Special education protections and funding will remain (Chalkbeat)
Disability rights advocates in New York lay out priorities, call on lawmakers to stop ‘stalling’ (WXXI NPR)
To cut Medicaid budget, governor says Idaho could remove disability, dental services (Idaho Capital Sun)
‘We don’t need more to worry about’: Arizona’s disability community faces funding shortfall (ABC12.com)
Federal judge blocks USDA from cutting off SNAP funding in Minnesota (MPR News)
New disability support hub opens at Maryland Mall to help families access resources instantly (WMAR2 News)
$150 million wrongful death lawsuit filed after child with autism ‘secluded’ at Virginia Beach elementary school (13 News Now)
Absolutely Colorado: Black license plates generate $12M for Coloradans with disabilities (KRDO)
California leads suit to preserve U.S. Department of Ed (The Center Square)
Schools Brace for Mid-Year Cuts as ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Changes Begin (Education Week)
Study: Switching to Charter School Improves Performance for Special Ed Students (The 74).
How States Can Support Family Caregivers Under Medicaid’s Community Engagement Requirements (AARP)
STUDY: Payment Rates for Medicaid Home Care Ahead of the 2025 Reconciliation Law (KFF)
Taking a fresh look at definition of autism (The Harvard Gazette)
Barbie debuts autistic doll with sensory-sensitive, stimming features (USA Today)
Project 2025 author and top Trump official: Special education protections and funding will remain
Chalkbeat interviews Lindsey Burke, a Department of Education official and author of the education chapter of the conservative blueprint Project 2025. Some key takeaways:
Disability rights advocates in New York lay out priorities, call on lawmakers to stop ‘stalling’ (WXXI NPR)
To cut Medicaid budget, governor says Idaho could remove disability, dental services (Idaho Capital Sun)
‘We don’t need more to worry about’: Arizona’s disability community faces funding shortfall A budget hole last year led to a bitter fight over how to keep DDD running. This year, the looming shortfall isn’t getting much attention. (ABC12.com)
Developmental disability advocates in Nebraska fear proposed changes The proposed limits would affect the Aged and Adult and Children with Disabilities Waiver. (Nebraska Public Media)
Federal judge blocks USDA from cutting off SNAP funding in Minnesota (MPR News)
New disability support hub opens at Maryland Mall to help families access resources instantly (WMAR2 News)
Vigil scheduled to honor people who died in New Hampshire’s disability care system (New Hampshire Bulletin)
$150 million wrongful death lawsuit filed after child with autism ‘secluded’ at Virginia Beach elementary school (13 News Now)
Absolutely Colorado: Black license plates generate $12M for Coloradans with disabilities (KRDO)
States Decline To Drop Lawsuit Threatening Disability Rights Protections The lawsuit generated significant backlash last year because it initially sought to completely invalidate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibiting health care providers from making treatment decisions based on biases about disabilities. Now, it’s focused on “gender dysphoria.” (Disability Scoop)
California leads suit to preserve U.S. Department of Ed An amended complaint to a lawsuit filed in March 2025 targets the transfer of department functions to other federal agencies. (The Center Square)
Schools Brace for Mid-Year Cuts as ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Changes Begin (Education Week)
Study: Switching to Charter School Improves Performance for Special Ed Students The findings from the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice study match a similar study in Boston. There are caveats, and a reminder that in 2024 the Center for Learner Equity found that Charter Schools Are Failing Students with Disabilities (The 74).
New partnership to strengthen postsecondary accreditation for students with intellectual disability Univ. of Rochester’s Warner School of Education & Human Development has been awarded a $1 million grant from the US Department of Ed. (Univ. of Rochester News)
How States Can Support Family Caregivers Under Medicaid’s Community Engagement Requirements AARP look at how states can ensure continuity of Medicaid coverage for family caregivers as new work requirements are being implemented. (AARP)
STUDY: Payment Rates for Medicaid Home Care Ahead of the 2025 Reconciliation Law All responding states reported workforce shortages in 2025, with the most common shortages being among direct support professionals (48 states). (KFF)
And, speaking of …
STUDY: NCI State of the Workforce: 2024: National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities The study was released in early January. (NCI IDD)
Disability Voting News Check out the Accessible Voting Booth blog, which just came out with the latest news from the past month. (Accessible Voting Booth)
New book explores how the 2021 winter storm endangered Texans with disabilities (Texas Standard)
Taking a fresh look at definition of autism (The Harvard Gazette)
Barbie debuts autistic doll with sensory-sensitive, stimming features (USA Today)
How realistic is Mattel’s new autistic Barbie? (The Conversation)
Adaptive clothing for people with disabilities (Enable: The Disability Podcast) An interview with Hanan Tantush, a UK-based fashion designer who makes adaptive clothing. (Syracuse.com)
Pablo Juárez named president-elect of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (VUMC News)
Trump’s ‘beautiful’ new law means states have big decisions this year on Medicaid, SNAP and taxes (AP)
Five Key Disability Stories to Watch in 2026 (Disabled Journalists Association)
Disability Justice Organizers Are Creating the Liberatory Future We All Deserve Disability justice advocates and organizers from across the U.S. explain what’s at stake for disabled people under Trump. (truthout)
New York school board investigates wooden ‘timeout’ box allegations They allegedly were built and used to seclude children with disabilities. (The Guardian)
New York State launches Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia (lohud)
Why are Connecticut’s new slots for autism services empty? (CT Public)
Florida deputies stop woman in alleged plan to kill herself, disabled great-granddaughter Just a heartbreaker of a story. (CBS 12)
Georgia agency proposes changes to waiting list for services for people with disabilities Program aimed at helping individuals with I/DD gain access to home care may get a refresh in 2026. (Georgia Recorder)
New state law expands insurance coverage for Iowans with autism (KCCI)
New Hampshire state senators to file legislation addressing abuse and neglect in disability care system (Valley News)
Taxpayers foot skyrocketing salaries for N.J. group home execs rolling in dough (nj.com)
Keith’s Law in Ohio to help people with disabilities communicate with first responders (New Day Cleveland)
Disability organization finds Tennessee failures in housing, access to healthcare (Times News)
High school diploma cost Washington special ed student future access, family says (Seattle Times)
What Medicaid changes in Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ mean for family caregivers’ health coverage (CNBC)
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change (NPR)
Ed Department Pushing Ahead With Plan To Offload Special Education Secretary of Education Linda McMahon told disability advocates in December she’s committed to proceeding with plans to move oversight to another federal agency. (Disability Scoop)
Head Start centers told to avoid ‘disability,’ ‘women’ and more in funding requests (NPR)
Tracking the Supreme Court’s impact on K-12 schools (K-12 Dive)
Case Studies
PPS is sending special education students rock climbing to remedy learning loss (Pittsburgh NPR)
Transformational Magic: NYC’s iHOPE School Unlocks Learning for Profoundly Disabled Kids (The 74)
Tests for Autism? Companies Are Selling Them, but Research Is Still Scant (New York Times)
In utero COVID exposure linked to brain changes, developmental delays, anxiety, and depression (Univ. of Minnesota)
Brain organoids are helping researchers, but their use also creates unease Research on conditions like autism and schizophrenia increasingly relies on clusters of human cells called brain organoids. (NPR)
Disability Rights Lawyers Threatened With Budget Cuts, Reassignments Most work for the Dept. of Justice or disability rights agencies that Congress set up in every state decades ago. Trump proposed cutting the system’s federal funding from $148 million to $69 million for fiscal year 2026. (KFF Health News)
When Is it Okay to Kill the Disabled? The U.S. Supreme Court is in the process of determining how states can decide who is intellectually disabled enough to be exempt from receiving the death penalty. (The Progressive)
Mayo Clinic smartwatch system helps parents shorten and defuse children’s severe tantrums early (Mayo Clinic)
I Learned to Walk Because of IDEA. Millions of Children Still Depend on It (Time Magazine)
Raising Children With Disabilities Is Hard Work. Why Did Idaho Abandon Parents Like Me? (Rewire)