A look at SSI’s cruel marriage penalty, an airline does practice runs for people with autism, and more developmental disability news for the week ending June 14, 2024.

New York

Historic $50M Donation Establishes Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute at University of Rochester Medical Center (Democrat & Chronicle)

Layoffs averted: How Yonkers found cash to keep 239 school staffers hired with federal aid The layoffs had been sure to hit special education. (lohud.com)

Outside of New York

People with autism now eligible for medical marijuana in Conn. (NBC Connecticut)

Questions surround Tennessee’s plan for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities This is an unconscionable mess: The state announced it was decommissioning community homes where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have lived for years to make way for foster kids, pitting one group against another. But disability advocates are telling people they do not have to leave. (Tennessee Lookout)

Education

Supreme Court rejects dad’s appeal to record school meetings about autistic son’s needs The father wanted to record a meeting to discuss whether extra support was needed for his autistic high school son. (USA Today)

Autism

Clinical Standards For Controversial ABA Therapy Gets Major Update (Disability Scoop)

Opinion

There are two very telling and moving pieces this week, both written by writers who have children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My son has autism. Schools misunderstand him. I fear police will, too. “He is a Black and Mexican child who presents as a typical teen and is met with impatience and aggression from those who do not know him.” (USA Today)

True inclusion is still a dream for people with disabilities “The ad in the paper for this chorus said, ‘No audition. Anyone can sing with us!’ Apparently, it really meant, ‘Except you.'” (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

SSI

These disabled people tried to play by the rules. It cost them their federal benefits A very deep dive into SSI’s cruel marriage penalty. (NPR)

Travel

How flights to nowhere can help ‘lessen the anxiety’ for travelers with autism Breeze Airlines, in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, has started giving boarding demonstrations for people with developmental disabilities. (USA Today)

Marriott Agrees To Better Accommodate Guests With Disabilities One of the world’s largest hotel chains is making changes after federal prosecutors said that people with disabilities faced numerous barriers reserving rooms. (Disability Scoop)