National Journal: I’m Not Broken
I’m hardly the only person with autism who has ended up pursuing a career in Washington; people with autism are, after all, everywhere in the world. Yet despite our presence in D.C., the political conversation surrounding autism is often maddeningly disconnected from our lives. — Eric Garcia (Dec. 4)
Disability Scoop: FBI Reports Rise In Disability-Related Hate Crimes
New federal data indicates that the number of reported hate crimes targeting people with disabilities has ticked up. There were 95 hate crime offenses related to disability bias last year, according to recently released statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The 2014 numbers are up slightly compared to the previous year when the FBI recorded 92 offenses targeting people with disabilities. — Michelle Diamont (Dec. 15)
The Atlantic: The Bloated Rhetoric of No Child Left Behind’s Demise; The Signage of the Every Student Succeeds Act
But in reality, schools may not see much on-the-ground change. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia already have waivers from No Child Left Behind’s “most troublesome and restrictive requirements”—flexibility granted several years ago by the Obama administration in exchange for states’ commitment to “setting their own higher, more honest standards for student success.” This means that most of the country’s students have already been learning under a system that… looks a lot like the system envisioned in Every Student Succeeds. — Alia Wong (Dec. 9)
National Council on Disability: Statement on the 40th Anniversary of IDEA
As a civil rights law IDEA has rightfully, and by design, facilitated unprecedented access to education for more than six million children who otherwise might not receive the support programs and services they need to live, learn and earn alongside their non-disabled peers in the United States of America. As public policy, by contrast, the regulation, delivery and implementation of education services to disabled students leaves much to be desired. — National Council on Disability (Nov. 29)
Administration on Community Living: Bob Williams to Join ACL as Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities and Director, Independent Living Administration
At the time Jamie Kendall passed away unexpectedly, ACL was within weeks of announcing her selection to serve as deputy commissioner for the Administration on Disabilities and director of the Independent Living Administration… One of the best ways we can honor Jamie’s memory is to continue her work, and ACL is fortunate to have found another exceptionally qualified senior leader to help us do that. Bob Williams will join ACL in January to serve in the dual roles. — Administration on Community Living (Dec. 15)
The Hill: OpEd by Robert Bernstein, “Republicans are Gunning for Mental Health Scapegoat”
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) says mental health legislation is the appropriate response to the nation’s gun violence problem… Without question, there are problems in the nation’s system of mental healthcare, but mental health reform will not solve the problem of gun violence in America. It is time to stop using mental health as political tactic... — Robert Bernstein, president and executive director, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (Dec. 2)
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