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The U.S. Department of Education is investing funding for eight state programs aimed at supporting students with both hearing and vision loss. This could affect some of the nation’s most vulnerable students.
The program is considered essential in these states, but it costs just over $1 million a year in federal money. Nevertheless, they were caught up in attacks on the Trump administration’s diversity, equity and inclusion, with education spokespersons citing concerns about “schizophrenia” and “equity” when acknowledging the decision to withhold funds.
Funds, which were expected to continue until September 2028, will halt at the end of the month, according to a letter from the education department to local officials obtained by Propublica. The government gave the program seven days and asked staff to reconsider the decision.
The program is part of a national network of organizations in all states and provides training and resources to support deaf and blind students. These students often face important communication challenges and require professional services and schooling. (Education Week first reported that the department had cancelled grants related to special education.)
Nationally, there are approximately 10,000 children and young adults, ranging from infants to age 21. These are more than 1,000 in eight deaf states, according to the National Center for Deafness. The programme targeted by the education sector is located in Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington and New England, and is provided by a consortium of Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.
“How low can you go?” said Maurice Bellot, co-chair of the National Federation of Deaf People, advocating laws to support deaf children and young adults. “How can I do this to my child?”
In Oregon, the 2023 Deaf Program grant application included a statement on its commitment to addressing “inequality, racism, bias” and alienation of disability groups. It also attached a strategic plan for Portland Public Schools, where Oregon’s Deaf Project is headquartered. The Educational letter said these initiatives were “conflict with the policies and priorities of the institution.”
The director of the Wisconsin Technical Assistance Project for the Deaf and Deaf received a similar letter from the Education Department. The letter noted that Wisconsin Public Leadership, which oversees the project, has a policy that ensures women, minorities and veterans with disabilities are included in the employment process.
The education department was also concerned about other words in the application, said Adrian Krentz, who works with the state’s harsh, blind adults. He said he spoke with state officials about the cancellation of the grant.
“It appears the administration has experienced past grants and they were told that two words were flagging: one was a transition and one was a privilege,” Krentz said. “Movement – A transition from childhood to adulthood. As parents wrote passionate reviews of staff, privileges emerged. Propublica obtained a copy of the grant application and confirmed that those words were included.
In a statement, Savannah Newhouse, the Education Bureau’s news agency, told Propoblica: “The administration does not allow taxpayer dollars to put out the doors of autopilots.” We evaluate all federal grants to ensure that they are in line with the administration’s policy of prioritizing the merits, equity and excellence of education.”
Newhouse said the Department of Education has renewed more than 500 special education grants funding services under the Disabled Education Act. She said the agency decided not to renew under 35.
“Many of these use obvious racial preferences or perpetuate divisive concepts and stereotypes. Students should not be exposed,” she said, adding that the funds will be directed towards other programs.
The department began funding state-level programs to help deaf students more than 40 years ago in response to the rubella epidemic of the late 1960s. Although the population is small, it is one of the most complicated to serve. Educators rely on deaf programs for support and training.
The harsh programs help educators learn the most effective ways to teach reading and connect families with state and local resources. The program also tallies the number of students across the country affected by deaf and blindness.
Disabled advocates said they struggle to promote inclusion in people in communities with disabilities and to reconcile the way in which they are now under attack for language inclusion.
Furthermore, under Joe Biden, who was president when the grant application was submitted, there was a need for a language about diversity and inclusive efforts. The department at the time stated that “deaf children have complex needs and the federal special education fund will be used to provide the most diverse group of learners.”
“We were required by the Biden administration to write a statement of equity,” said Lisa McConachie of the Oregon Deaf Brand Project, which serves 114 students in the state.
She said the Trump administration’s DEI view is different from how inclusion is considered by disability supporters. “Our passion and our mission is about advocacy for inclusion for children with disabilities,” she said. “Special education students are often marginalized in schools. Special education students are often excluded.”
Lanya Elsa, who lives in Washington and serves as two sons by the state’s harsh blinding program, said the organization has been providing strategies for her son’s educators over the years and helping her connect with other families. She is also a former director of the Idaho program.
Elsa said that while the loss of funds may seem small, “the vulnerable students have nothing else. That’s devastating.”
The Education Department on Friday notified Wisconsin that funding its jarring blinding program and another federal grant to recruit special education teachers has been suspended. Officials there will be appeals, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Leadership.
Approximately 170 harsh students in Wisconsin are being provided by the grant. The grant funds statewide support technology tools, coaching, family support and professional training. And recruiting special education teachers began to address a serious shortage.
“Undoubtedly, losing these funds will have a direct impact on our ability to serve some of our most vulnerable children,” the Wisconsin public leadership oversight said fundamentally in a written statement. “Losing these dollars at this point in the year is devastating for the kids who need them the most support.”
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In Oregon, the impact is immediately felt. McConachie learned about services that will help around 20 families sign up for parental retreats next month, swapping medical devices, sharing resources, and helping students as they age.
“To bring those families together is a lifeline for them,” she said. “These families are vulnerable, and so are our children.”
If you don’t have the funds, the weekend will be cancelled. “The impact cannot be revoked,” she said. “Confusion will be harmful for years to come.”
