Disability Scoop

Special Ed Enrollment Tops 8 Million Nationwide New data shows that the number of U.S. children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act jumped significantly.

New data shows that the number of U.S. children eligible for services under the Individuals with #Disabilities Education Act jumped significantly. #SpecialEducation

The Hidden Marriage Penalty Affecting Americans With Disabilities In a society that celebrates marriage equality, one group says it remains invisible to lawmakers — those with disabilities.

In a society that celebrates marriage equality, one group says it remains invisible to lawmakers — those with #disabilities.

NBC Taps Announcer With Cerebral Palsy To Lead Major League Baseball Coverage A sportscaster with cerebral palsy will be the voice of play-by-play coverage for Major League Baseball games airing in primetime on NBC and Peacock.

A sportscaster with #CerebralPalsy will be the voice of play-by-play coverage for Major League Baseball games airing in primetime on #NBC and #Peacock. #disabilities #MLB

Troubled By RFK Jr.'s Overhaul Of Federal Autism Panel, Experts Launch Their Own After U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remade a key federal autism panel, some of the nation's most influential researchers and advocates are creating a competing one.

After U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remade a key federal #autism panel, some of the nation's most influential researchers and advocates are creating a competing one. #disabilities

New Ad Agency Staffed By Neurodiverse Talent A team of neurodiverse individuals is launching what they're billing as a first-of-its-kind advertising agency.

A team of #neurodiverse individuals is launching what they're billing as a first-of-its-kind advertising agency. #disabilities #autism

'SNL' Slammed For 'Mocking A Disability' A leading Tourette syndrome charity is speaking out against a "Saturday Night Live" sketch arguing that "mocking a disability is never acceptable."

A leading Tourette syndrome charity is speaking out against a "Saturday Night Live" sketch arguing that "mocking a disability is never acceptable." #SNL #disabilities #Tourettes

This State Official Drove 148,000 Miles To Help Families With Loved Ones With Disabilities Serving as an ombudsman focused on the needs of those with IDD, Paul Aronsohn had a unique window bridging the gap between families, state officials and providers. What he found was heartbreaking.

Serving as an ombudsman focused on the needs of those with IDD, Paul Aronsohn had a unique window bridging the gap between families, state officials and providers. What he found was heartbreaking. #disabilities

Special Education In Limbo As Ed Department Sheds More Responsibilities As the U.S. Department of Education accelerates efforts to dismantle the agency, the implications for students with disabilities remain murky.

As the U.S. Department of Education accelerates efforts to dismantle the agency, the implications for students with #disabilities remain murky. #SpecialEducation #EducationDepartment

Charter Growth Leaving Traditional Public Schools With More Students In Special Ed As charter schools proliferate, a new report finds that a higher share of students with costly special education needs remain enrolled in traditional public schools.

As charter schools proliferate, a new report finds that a higher share of students with costly #SpecialEducation needs remain enrolled in traditional public schools. #disabilities

Couple Creates Long-Term Housing For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities After searching the country for a support complex where their daughter could live, the couple found that many were "either too supportive or not supportive enough" and decided to create their own.

After searching the country for a support complex where their daughter with #DownSyndrome could live, a couple found that many were "either too supportive or not supportive enough" and decided to create their own. #disabilities #housing

Trump Surgeon General Pick Says 'We Should Not Leave Any Stones Unturned' On Autism President Donald Trump's nominee to be the nation's top doctor said she's not ready to rule out anything — including vaccines — in determining what's behind rising autism rates.

President Donald Trump's nominee to be the nation's top doctor said she's not ready to rule out anything — including #vaccines — in determining what's behind rising #autism rates. #disabilities

Uber Expands Options For Riders With IDD Uber is rolling out new features aimed at making it easier for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to get from one place to another more independently.

#Uber is rolling out new features aimed at making it easier for people with intellectual and developmental #disabilities to get from one place to another more independently.

Respite Care Program Extended Under New Federal Law A program supporting respite care for families of those with disabilities and other needs is being renewed just months after backers worried it was in jeopardy.

A program supporting #respite care for families of those with #disabilities and other needs is being renewed just months after backers worried it was in jeopardy.

The $320 Million Plan For An Accessible Theme Park, Ice Hockey Arena And More The project described as an "ultra-accessible sports-themed amusement park" is designed to help families who have children with disabilities, connecting them with resources and fun experiences.

The project described as an "ultra-accessible sports-themed amusement park" is designed to help families who have children with #disabilities, connecting them with resources and fun experiences.

School Grapples With Blending High-Needs Students And Mainstream Classrooms An effort to include students with profound medical or behavioral needs in mainstream classes at their neighborhood schools rather than in specialized ones is proving easier said than done.

An effort to include students with profound medical or behavioral needs in mainstream classes at their neighborhood schools rather than in specialized ones is proving easier said than done. #disabilities #SpecialEducation

Private Equity Increasingly Taking Over Autism Therapy Centers Private equity firms are rapidly acquiring autism therapy centers across the nation, raising questions about the impact on kids in need of services.

Private equity firms are rapidly acquiring #autism therapy centers across the nation, raising questions about the impact on kids in need of services. #disabilities

Ed Department Dismissed 90% Of Civil Rights Complaints Alarming Disability Advocates The Education Department dismissed nearly every discrimination complaint — likely including many based on disability — all while spending millions to fire staff charged with investigating such cases.

The #EducationDepartment dismissed nearly every #discrimination complaint — likely including many based on disability — all while spending millions to fire staff charged with investigating such cases. #disabilities #CivilRights

High Schooler Makes Braille Keyboards For Under $10. Here's How When Umang Sharma saw an ad for a $7,000 Braille keyboard, he knew there had to be a better way. Now his nonprofit has grants from Google and Microsoft to distribute a much more affordable version.

When Umang Sharma saw an ad for a $7,000 #Braille keyboard, he knew there had to be a better way. Now his nonprofit has grants from #Google and #Microsoft to distribute a much more affordable version. #disabilities #accessibility

Kennedy's Push To Find Cause Of Autism Divides Republicans In Congress Some GOP lawmakers say HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s interest in autism is counterproductive and could cause long-term mistrust in public health, but others say any attention is good attention...

Some GOP lawmakers say HHS Secretary Robert F. #Kennedy Jr.'s interest in #autism is counterproductive and could cause long-term mistrust in public health, but others say any attention is good attention. #disabilities #RFK

'Peppa Pig' Introduces Disability Storyline A popular children's television show is revealing that a key character has a disability.

A popular children's television show is revealing that a key character has a disability. #disabilities #PeppaPig

Autism Study Of Drug Touted By Trump Administration Retracted Months after Trump administration officials hyped a drug as a possible treatment for autism symptoms, one of the largest studies examining its effectiveness in this population has been retracted.

Months after Trump administration officials hyped a drug as a possible treatment for #autism symptoms, one of the largest studies examining its effectiveness in this population has been retracted. #disabilities

School Unlocks Learning For Kids With Profound Disabilities Using the latest adaptive technology and other critical supports, a 150-student private school allows students who are nonverbal to communicate and thrive.

Using the latest adaptive technology and other critical supports, a 150-student private school allows students who are #nonverbal to communicate and thrive. #disabilities #SpecialEducation

Why Medicaid Patients Nationwide Struggle To Find Doctors When people on Medicaid look for a doctor, the search often starts with a long list of names that makes health care seem within reach. But for many patients, that list turns into a string of dead ends...

When people on #Medicaid look for a doctor, the search often starts with a long list of names that makes health care seem within reach. But for many patients, that list turns into a string of dead ends. #disabilities

Disability History Museum Set To Open A one-of-a-kind museum chronicling disability history is reopening after a five-year hiatus in a new, bigger space that's hundreds of miles away from its previous home.

A one-of-a-kind museum chronicling disability history is reopening after a five-year hiatus in a new, bigger space that's hundreds of miles away from its previous home. #disabilities

Disability Focused Proms To Be Held Across Globe More than 100,000 people with disabilities are expected at special proms planned at sites around the world all timed to coincide with Valentine's Day.

More than 100,000 people with #disabilities are expected at special proms planned at sites around the world all timed to coincide with Valentine's Day.

It's The 'Gold Standard' In Autism Care. Why Are States Reining It In? States facing budget shortfalls have begun cutting Medicaid reimbursements for services. In some cases, they're targeting therapies that many families of people with autism say are essential.

States facing budget shortfalls have begun cutting #Medicaid reimbursements for services. In some cases, they're targeting therapies that many families of people with #autism say are essential. #disabilities

He Spent 35 Years As A School Janitor. Lawsuit Says He Was Paid Less Than His Coworkers For more than three decades, Paul Rooney, who has intellectual disability, showed up to sweep floors, clean bathrooms and tidy classrooms. But his family now charges he was being taken advantage of.

For more than three decades, Paul Rooney, who has intellectual disability, showed up to sweep floors, clean bathrooms and tidy classrooms. But his family now charges he was being taken advantage of. #disabilities #discrimination

Altering IDEA Poses 'Substantial Risk' To Students With Disabilities, Advocates Warn Federal lawmakers are considering taking up legislation that would amend IDEA, a move that advocates fear could open the door to broader changes amid an already tumultuous time for special education.

Federal lawmakers are considering taking up legislation that would amend #IDEA, a move that advocates fear could open the door to broader changes amid an already tumultuous time for #SpecialEducation. #disabilities

Autism Just As Common In Girls And Boys, Study Finds It's long been thought that autism is far more prevalent in boys than girls. But findings from a new study looking at data across more than three decades suggest that may not be the case.

It's long been thought that #autism is far more prevalent in boys than girls. But findings from a new study looking at data across more than three decades suggest that may not be the case. #disabilities

High School Diploma Cost Student With Intellectual Disability Future Access, Family Says Makena Simonsen graduated with a 3.87 GPA, but reads, writes and does math at an elementary grade level. Now, her family is suing, arguing the school district gave her a "meaningless" diploma.

Makena Simonsen graduated with a 3.87 GPA, but reads, writes and does math at an elementary grade level. Now, her family is suing, arguing the district gave her a "meaningless" diploma. #disabilities #SpecialEducation