NDSC in the Media

"A budget agreement working its way through Congress rebuffs Trump administration efforts to make major changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and eliminate some disability programs...."

"Layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education will leave no more than a handful of staffers in the agency’s special education office, jeopardizing oversight of the nation’s programs for students with disabilities, advocates say...."

"With a pair of new hires and recent comments, advocates say the Trump administration appears to be actively laying the groundwork to transfer special education out of the U.S. Department of Education.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon told a group of disability advocates she met with last month that she’s committed to proceeding with plans to move special education oversight to another federal agency...."

"Access to special accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save without losing out on government benefits will soon expand dramatically and people with the accounts will be able to save more in them than ever before...."

"Dear Sophia De Lisi, As a Brandeis alumnus, I urge students, staff, faculty, and alumni to witness how educational supports for students with disabilities are teetering on the edge of a half-century setback. As someone whose family and friends have benefited for decades from academic supports for students with disabilities, the recent dismantling of the Department of Education’s core functions is alarming and demands the Brandeis community’s attention...."

"Advocates for children with disabilities — and even some Republican lawmakers — are warning that the federal government needs to preserve its special education programs as the Trump administration moves to dismantle the Education Department...."

"As the Trump administration takes sweeping steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the agency is still deciding what the future holds for special education...."

"A deal to end the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown is reversing plans to gut the U.S. Department of Education’s special education office and providing funds for other disability programs — at least temporarily...."

"The Trump administration gutted the Education Department’s Office of Special Education Programs last month. Its fate remains uncertain...."

"Though there’s still no official plan to transfer the duties out of the Education Department, advocates are voicing concerns against such a move...."

"A judge indefinitely blocked the U.S. Department of Education from laying off nearly every staffer in its special education office, but advocates say concerns about the future of the program remain...."

"The U.S. Department of Education is in talks to move oversight of special education programs to another federal agency...."

"Leaders from around the country are calling on the administration to reverse plans for sweeping layoffs at the Department of Education that may impact progress for students with disabilities...."

"A federal judge temporarily halted a U.S. Department of Education plan to gut its special education office, but advocates say that the future of services for students with disabilities remains uncertain...."

"Congress has yet to resolve its budget dispute, further extending the current government shutdown and now gutting the office that oversees special education...."

"You just activated 5 million parents who’ve outlasted every administrator who thought we’d quit...."

"As federal lawmakers stare down a deadline to fund the government, they appear poised to reject a Trump administration effort to make big changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and defund some disability programs — but it’s far from a done deal...."

"According to Disability Scoop, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is canceling millions of dollars in grants for special education teacher training, parent resource centers and more saying that they don’t align with Trump administration priorities. In fact, The USDE’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) terminated grants for 25 programs funded under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)...."

"It's tough to keep up with all the changes going on at the Federal level or understand how that might impact people with Down syndrome in our local areas. We were joined on the podcast by two experts in policy and advocacy from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). Heather Sachs is the Policy & Advocacy Co-Director for the NDSC and Jawanda Mast is the Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the NDSC. On the podcast, we discuss how the Medicaid changes at the federal level will impact those with disabilities at the state and local level. This is Part 2 of a two part series looking at Policy and Advocacy at the Federal level. For more information: National Down Syndrome Congress..."

"It's tough to keep up with all the changes going on at the Federal level or understand how that might impact people with Down syndrome in our local areas. We were joined on the podcast by two experts in education policy from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). Stephanie Smith Lee is the Policy & Advocacy Co-Director for the NDSC and Ricki Sabia is the Senior Education Policy Advisor for the NDSC. On the podcast, we'll discuss the history and current state of the IDEA as well as discuss how the federal changes may impact our loved ones with Down syndrome. This is Part 1 of a two part series looking at Policy and Advocacy at the Federal level. For more..."

"A key U.S. Senate panel rejected a Trump administration push to make major changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and defund some disability programs, but significant uncertainty remains, advocates say...."

"When my daughter, Laura, was born in 1982 with Down syndrome, there was no information available for parents – only one awful, outdated, depressing book in the library. Luckily for my family, members of DSANV, then called Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (PODS), contacted me and shared their experiences, hope, and practical tips – such as having Laura tested for a heart defect. She did have a severe heart defect and was moved to the National Children’s Hospital, where she stayed most of the next two years and had two open-heart operations...."

"Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), alongside Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, a bill designed to help workers with disabilities build financial security without risking essential federal benefits...."

"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, along with Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act. This bipartisan bill builds on Fitzpatrick’s continued work to expand economic opportunity and remove systemic barriers for Americans with disabilities...."

"Officials from Republican and Democratic administrations told Congress of concerns about moving the programs and consolidating their funding...."

"The future of the nation’s disability services is on the line, advocates say, as Congress reconvenes to consider legislation that could chop billions from Medicaid...."

"LEGAL QUESTIONS LINGER — President Donald Trump wants to move a crucial program for children with disabilities into the Department of Health and Human Services. Special education advocates and Democrats warn that his plan is illegal, Chelsea reports with POLITICO’s Mackenzie Wilkes...."

"The uncertainty surrounding the IDEA program comes as the Trump administration looks to close the Department of Education and find new homes for certain prized programs...."

"Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) to reintroduce the IDEA Full Funding Act, legislation to ensure Congress finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 50 years ago, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunities. This law was a historic step forward, but since its passage, Congress has failed to provide the funding it promised. The legislation is cosponsored by more than 30 members in the Senate and more than 60 members in the House of Representatives and is endorsed by 60 organizations...."

"Legislation would commit to fully funding special education, finally fulfilling the federal government’s unmet promise 50 years after the passage of IDEA..."

"A special education leader under George W. Bush says the dismantling of the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities. Stephanie Smith Lee talks about what's at stake for the federal law that helped people with disabilities go from institutionalization to institutions of higher education...."

"In this episode of the Extra Lucky Podcast, hosts Taryn and Jess sit with Heather Sachs and Stephanie Smith Lee from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) to discuss both their personal journeys and the critical advocacy work they are involved in...."

"President Donald Trump said he will move special education oversight to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but the plan is short on specifics and it’s unclear whether he has the authority to do so...."

"A special education leader under the George W. Bush administration says the dismantling of the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities.

Stephanie Smith Lee now serves as policy and advocacy co-director at the National Down Syndrome Congress, a nonprofit organization that helps families understand what’s at stake for a federal law that Congress established in 1975...."

"There’s a greater sense of urgency for advocacy groups on World Down Syndrome Day, which is observed today.

Advocates and families of individuals with Down syndrome say they’re very worried about the possibility of cuts in spending on Medicaid. Republicans in Congress have drafted spending guidelines that could potentially lead to reductions in federal support of Medicaid, which covers more than 79 million Americans...."

"Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), along with Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3), introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, bipartisan legislation designed to expand financial opportunities and strengthen workplace opportunities for Americans with disabilities. ABLE accounts—special savings accounts for people with disabilities—allow individuals to save money without affecting their eligibility for federal assistance programs. This bill enables employers to make tax-free contributions to these accounts, offering greater flexibility in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities while helping these workers achieve greater financial independence...."