CDPAP’s busy news week, school-parent conflicts are increasing, Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz opens up about his nonverbal son, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Aug. 16, 2024.
Spotlight: Artificial Intelligence
People with developmental disabilities can find it especially hard to navigate friendships, which is why I found this article, AI ‘Companions’ are Patient, Funny, Upbeat — and Making It Easy to Make a Bad Choice, so compelling.
The article, from the nonprofit The 74, does note some positives, but also cautions that “many kids are being exposed to risky behaviors from AI chatbots, including sexually charged dialogue and references to self-harm.”
The “companion” phenomenon “arises at a critical time for young people,” the site reports. “In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy found that, just three years after the pandemic, Americans were experiencing an ‘epidemic of loneliness,’ with young adults almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those over 65.”
You might also be interested in an article The Boost posted in 2023, The Latest AI News, from Existential Threat to Support System for Students with Disabilities.
New York
Opinion: We must do better for children and adults with disabilities New York State Sen. Pam Helming tackles the serious shortage of DSPs, teachers and clinicians. (Finger Lakes Times)
N.Y. advocates for people with disabilities ready a push to extend preferred source contracting In 2022, lawmakers expanded a program called “preferred source contracting” to boost employment opportunities. But the program will sunset in 2025 unless lawmakers take action. (nystateofpolitics.com)
U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams advocates for Autism CARES Act in Utica Williams is co-sponsoring the national bi-partisan bill that aims to reauthorize $2 million to aid autism research and programming. (WRVO.org)
New York CDPAP News
Yes, there was so much Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) news this week, it gets its own section. Gov. Hochul has called the Medicaid program, which the state has said has an annual price tag of more than $9 billion, “a racket.” Those who use it don’t agree.
Disability Advocates Fear New York Will Gut a Key Home Care Program Mother Jones gives the issue a national platform. (Mother Jones)
Health providers concerned about impact of New York Medicaid reform The state Health Department responded this week to questions about Request for Proposals to choose one company to oversee CDPAP. Many providers are worried those cuts will impact available care, and force elderly and disabled New Yorkers into adult-care facilities. (Spectrum Local News)
Opinion: New York’s home care crisis is already dire. We need Gov. Kathy Hochul to act “Hochul’s TikTok ‘research’ misleadingly suggests that [FIs] can manipulate eligibility.” (democractandchronicle.com)
Outside of New York
Crowdfunding initiative to help Nebraskans with disabilities The state’s version of ABLE can use funds raised by a new crowdfunding website. The funds reportedly will not impact their benefits unlike a traditional crowdfunding website. (1011now.com)
Louisiana district shows special ed inclusion gains after successful partnership Improved parent-school relations and ongoing professional development has led to greater participation for students with disabilities in general ed classes and extracurricular activities. (k12dive.com)
Education
Nearly 50% of special ed directors say school-parent conflict is increasing A yet-to-be-published survey finds these directors want more training and resources on early dispute strategies. (k12dive.com)
Highlights of New GAO Report on K-12 Schooling for Students with Disabilities Among other things, it shows significant state-to-state variation in student-to-staff ratios for students with disabilities. (Capitol Connection)
30% of LGBTQ Students Diagnosed With Disability, Twice the Rate as Kids Overall New report finds this dual identity makes victimization in school and exclusion from activities even more pervasive. (The74)
Autism
More therapy for autistic children isn’t always better A new study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that more intensive therapy for autistic children is not associated with better outcomes in development. (Bloom Blog)
Health
AMA steps up advocacy alongside patients and physicians with disabilities Its new primer is a result of a strategic plan’s effort to address social determinants of health and underlying causes of inequities. (AMA)
Census
Census Rethinking How to Count Disability Population The U.S. Census Bureau will meet with advocates Sept. 30 concerned about the potential for a severe undercount. (Disability Scoop)
Candidates
Tim Walz and His Wife, Gwen, Open Up About Son’s Non-Verbal Learning Disorder: ‘His Secret Power’ Walz’s “brilliant” 17-year-old son, Gus, has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder. (People)
