President Donald Trump made his disregard for the 1 in 5 Americans with disabilities abundantly clear during the campaign when he mocked a disabled New York Times reporter. But that disregard is no longer just hateful words. Now Trump’s administration, as well as his Republican colleagues in Congress, are pursuing policies that would put the health, education, and economic security of people with disabilities and their families at grave risk.
The GOP plan for health insurance would make dramatic cuts to Medicaid, decimating services that enable people with disabilities to live independently and work. Meanwhile, Trump and his colleagues in Congress are poised to slash Supplemental Security Income, nutrition and housing assistance, early childhood education, funding for civil legal aid, and more, all while protecting tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. Betsy Devos, recently confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education, was not even aware of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the longstanding federal law that ensures that students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.
Join the Center for American Progress for a discussion of what is at stake for people with disabilities under the new administration and Congress and where the progressive movement must go from here to effectively champion a policy agenda that ensures that people with disabilities have a fair shot. CAP will also be releasing a video showcasing the voices of people with disabilities and how they and their families would be impacted by the Trump policy agenda.
Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress
Keynote remarks:
Anastasia Somoza, disability activist and Democratic National Convention speaker
Featured panelists:
Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, The Arc of the United States
Valerie Williams, Director of Government Relations, National Association of State Directors of Special Education
Ari Ne’eman, CEO, MySupport.com
Andraea Lavant, Inclusion Senior Specialist, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital
Marta Conner, mother and advocate
Moderator:
Rebecca Vallas, Managing Director, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress