There is uncertainty as Congress works to craft a budget for the government’s next fiscal year that begins in October. (think stock)
A $1.2 trillion deal to fund the federal government includes more money for special education and disability employment, but many other programs that benefit people with disabilities were not so lucky.
The funding package signed by President Joe Biden late last month comes about halfway through the federal fiscal year, after Congress spent months relying on a series of stopgap measures to keep government programs running. The measure funds the government until September.
Notably, the spending plan includes $14.2 billion in funding for state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an increase of $20 million over last year. And vocational rehabilitation will receive a $304 million increase, bringing the program to $4.25 billion.
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At the same time, however, home and community-based support services, state developmental disabilities councils, protective and advocacy agencies, and many other programs that people with disabilities depend on will see increased funding. level, which disability advocates say is essentially a cut when inflation is high. factored.
The budget fails to take into account the realities faced by people with developmental disabilities and their families, according to Kim Musheno, vice president of public policy at the Autism Society of America. He noted that the Administration for Community Living, which oversees many efforts to support people with disabilities across the lifespan, will see a decline. And funding remains unchanged for the Autism CARES Act and the Lifespan Respite Care Act, she said.
“Given the tremendous needs of the community, we are disappointed that Congress funds at the level most of the programs that support people with disabilities,” Musheno said. “I wish more members of Congress could walk a day (or a month) in the shoes of people with developmental disabilities and their families.”
Even the increase for special education comes with an asterisk, according to Denise Marshall, executive director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, or COPAA, a nonprofit that advocates for the rights of students with disabilities and their families.
“We appreciate the increase as a step in the right direction during intense budget negotiations; however, it is still not a victory for students,” Marshall said.
He called the additional $20 million for IDEA a “symbolic” increase that will not have a significant impact on the program and said his group is pushing for Congress to meet its commitment to fund 40% of the cost of special education.
Still, many disability advocates said they are relieved to see lawmakers close out the appropriations process even if it is just in time for Congress to begin deliberating federal funding for the next fiscal year, which will begin in October. .
“The takeaway from this budget is primarily that it could have been much worse than it is,” said Zoe Gross, advocacy director for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
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