Sweeping federal cuts threaten disability rights and services across the U.S.  Click the blue text to be taken to the full story 

A major story unfolding in 2025 concerns dramatic changes to U.S. disability policy that could affect millions of Americans, not just disabled individuals, but families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities nationwide.

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🔥 Key Developments Impacting Disability Rights

• Federal rollbacks: The White House has canceled workplace accommodations for disabled federal employees, removed sign language interpretation from official communications, and stripped disability-related resources from government websites Harvard Law School Project on Disability.

• Staffing cuts: Agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Veterans Affairs have seen sharp reductions in staff, leading to delays in disability payments, education support, and healthcare access Harvard Law School Project on Disability.

• Proposed budget slashes:

  • Medicaid: Over $715 billion in cuts could eliminate home and community-based services for hundreds of thousands, forcing many into institutional care Harvard Law School Project on Disability.
  • SNAP (food assistance): A 30% reduction could leave over 4 million disabled adults facing food insecurity Harvard Law School Project on Disability.
  • HUD Section 8 housing: A 43% cut risks homelessness for millions of households with disabled members Harvard Law School Project on Disability.

• Education impact: The federal government provides $15 billion annually for students with disabilities under IDEA. Cuts here could devastate inclusive education nationwide Harvard Law School Project on Disability.

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⚖️ Legal and Civil Rights Concerns

These changes are being described by disability advocates as a direct threat to basic human dignity, community inclusion, and civil rights.

The rollback of protections and services undermines decades of progress and places disproportionate burdens on disabled Americans, especially those who are poor, elderly, or rely on public support.

As one Harvard Law analysis puts it, “The disability community will be pressed to find ways to weather the storm” Harvard Law School Project on Disability.