Special ed forecasts, a study shows equal pay for disabled workers actually creates jobs, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Nov. 22, 2024.
New York
NYS officials talk FY 2026 Budget State spending on Medicaid could grow by $23 million this year and reach $35 billion by 2026, passing its statutory cap by $2.2 billion that year. (Rochesterfirst.com)
New York families, therapists say new Early Intervention Program hub is causing service problems (CBSnews.com)
First “Child With Autism” street sign placed in Schenectady (News10.com)
Supportive housing opens in Bronx for adults with developmental disabilities (Bxtimes.com)
Outside of New York
Newark Public Schools taps Planned Parenthood to teach sex ed, health care to students with disabilities (Chalkbeat.org)
Justice Dept. Sues Pa. Over Discriminatory Code Requirements that Restrict Community-Based Housing for People with Disabilities The issue is expensive automatic sprinkler systems that similar resident housing is not required to have. (Justice Dept. press release)
N.H. school districts face major special ed funding shortfall The state’s special ed aid fund – which assists school districts with unexpected costs – doesn’t have enough money to make up the difference. (Newhampshirebulletin.com)
Maryland disability advocates say new state policies will burden caregivers with paperwork Families who oversee self-directed care say new rules were rushed through without adequate public input. (Marylandmatters.org)
Recent graduates with intellectual disabilities find employment at South Carolina hotel Around 30% of the staff have an intellectual disability. Workers make between $13 and $18 per hour including tips — far above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. (CBSnews.com).
Education
What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for New York Schools Regardless of whether the Dept. of Education closes, Trump can seek to limit federal aid to schools — something he repeatedly tried to do during his first term. The proposed federal cuts are coming just as New York begins to reevaluate Foundation Aid, the formula used to distribute most state funding to public schools. (NYFocus.com)
NYC special ed staffing shortage leaves students in limbo, teachers union charges A complex hiring process and low pay (a starting salary “just shy of $30,000) make it difficult to recruit and retain staff. (Chalkbeat.org)
Commission on Civil Rights probes special educator shortage (K12dive)
How Trump’s Policies Could Affect Special Ed (Education Week)
Special ed staffing shortages put students’ futures at risk. How to solve that is tricky. (Chalkbeat.org)
Medicaid
What to know about Dr. Oz, the TV physician Trump tapped to run Medicaid and Medicare (Washington Post)
How Trump’s second term could change Medicaid While Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, many of its recommendations overlap with the Republican Party’s adopted platform, which suggested deep cuts to the $800 billion program. (Pluribusnews.com)
Disability Advocates Sound Alarm Over Possible Medicaid Cuts (Disability Scoop)
Money
A cutting board costs me $75 – it might cost you $10. What to know about the ‘disability tax’ (TheGuardian.com)
Vocational
Study: Equal Pay for Disabled Workers Creates, Not Costs, Jobs The study found that in two states that banned the subminimum wage, employment rates for adults with I/DD either increased or didn’t change when employers had to pay them an equal wage. (Motherjones.com)
Autism
Experts offer tips for navigating Thanksgiving with children on the autism spectrum (news3lv.com)
Products
Entertainment
She got seizures at 17 months old. So her dad wrote a musical about epilepsy and empathy (Los Angeles Times)
