12/17/25 - Disability policy from three angles
Greetings
I'm trying something a bit different. I'm keeping my comments on today's linked articles very limited. I don't plan on making a habit of this. It's just that reading these three very different pieces I noticed something of a pattern of perspective and approach to disability issues. I'm curious if others are as interested as I am in the contrasts.
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This Disability Education Law Just Turned 50. Disability Advocates Want More.
Julia Métraux, Mother Jones - November 29, 2025
"Many disability advocates are concerned about the state of education for disabled kids. Continued attempts to dismantle the Department of Education by President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, as well as attempts to fire their staff, put the oversight that disabled kids’ needs are met at risk. Such oversight includes putting districts on notice for funding if they overpenalize Black disabled students, for instance. Then, there is the longstanding issue that IDEA has never been fully funded, meaning that the federal government is not funding IEPs to 40 percent."
Appreciation and worry ...
Low-Income Disabled Youth Face Significant Challenges Upon Coming of Age
Kathleen Romig, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - December 2, 2025
"There are other ways to help support SSI youth as they transition to adulthood. These ideas include providing longer-term supports, simplifying SSI work incentives, and increasing SSI’s youth redetermination age. Another approach is to improve economic security programs beyond SSI, because to thrive as adults, young adults with disabilities need accessible and affordable housing, transportation, health care (often including long-term services and supports), and enough income to afford the basics."
Analysis and problem-solving ...
Sign language services ‘intrude’ on Trump’s ability to control his image, administration says
Meg Kinnard, PBS News / Associated Press - December 12, 2025
"The Trump administration is arguing that requiring real-time American Sign Language interpretation of events like White House press briefings “would severely intrude on the President’s prerogative to control the image he presents to the public,” part of a lawsuit seeking to require the White House to provide the services."
Obstructions and excuses ...
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