Advocates Made a Difference!
This week Congress passed and the President signed an appropriations package that funds a number of federal agencies through Fiscal Year 2026, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Disability advocates made a huge difference in ensuring that Congress rejected, on a bipartisan basis, the President’s recommendations to cut or eliminate important programs for individuals with disabilities. Read the full statement.
Section 504 and Disability Civil Rights are Being Threatened
Nine states (Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, and South Dakota) are arguing that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act contains an unlawful integration mandate, a requirement that people with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate, not in unnecessary institutional settings. NDSC shared its support for a joint statement from national disability organizations urging the state to withdraw from the lawsuit, and put out a call to action for advocates in those states to reach out to their Attorney General and Governor's offices. Read NDSC’s statement. Read the joint statement.
Public Statement Acknowledging Fear and Uncertainty
NDSC issued a statement recognizing the very real fear and uncertainty many individuals with Down syndrome and their families are experiencing. NDSC stands with all people with Down syndrome and their families, regardless of ethnicity, immigration status, or national origin, and affirms that every person with Down syndrome deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and respected in their community. Read the full statement.
Statement Urging Law-Enforcement Training and De-escalation
In response to recent incidents involving individuals with Down syndrome being treated harshly during interactions with law enforcement, NDSC released a statement urging law enforcement agencies to adopt approaches grounded in understanding and de-escalation. The statement emphasizes the use of plain language, allowing extra time for responses, reducing sensory stressors, and involving trusted supports when appropriate. Read the full statement.
Congressional Committees Reject the Administration's Education Funding Proposal
NDSC expressed strong appreciation for bipartisan members of Congress who rejected the Administration’s proposal to block grant IDEA funds in the FY2026 Appropriations Bill. Congress also included language to prohibit the U.S. Department of Education from transferring any education funding to another federal agency without authorization in appropriations law. Read the full statement.
NDSC Celebrates Grant Expanding Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation
As long-standing leaders in the effort to promote the accreditation of inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities, NDSC celebrated a $1 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) and the University of Rochester. Read the full statement.
