Center for Disability and Education

02/17/2026

Are you in Rochester, New York? The City of Rochester is hosting a Zoom meeting on Thursday to gather input on making pedestrian areas more accessible.

Its draft ADA Transition Plan plan lays out ways the city intends to remove physical barriers and improve access to sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, and other pedestrian spaces.

02/16/2026

Colleague and friend of the Center, Cindi May, shared her thoughts with Inside Higher Ed.

Sociability is not the same as hireability. Colleges can take concrete steps to make the academic hiring process fairer for neurodivergent candidates.

02/06/2026

“Congress listened to families and advocates and refused to ‘block grant’ IDEA programs and clearly stated that no authorities exist for the department to transfer fundamental responsibilities,” said Stephanie Smith Lee, co-director of policy and advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Congress, who served as director of the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs under President George W. Bush. “While the protections in the package are much appreciated, it remains to be seen what the administration will do in response.

After months of uncertainty, federal lawmakers approved a spending package that rejects Trump administration efforts to alter IDEA and do away with some disability programs.

02/03/2026

Are you interested in learning how New York State is growing inclusive college options? Join our colleague, Carrie Shockley from The City University of New York. The link to register is in the comments below.

02/01/2026

Our colleague from The City University of New York, Carrie Shockley, will be presenting Feb 11. All are welcome.

New York State is expanding inclusive college opportunities—and NEPSEA is hosting a conversation about how it’s happening. Join us to learn how campuses and state leaders are working together to increase access and create more options for students with intellectual disability.
📅 Feb 11, 2026 | 3–4pm ET
🎤 Presented by Carrie Shockley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusion Initiatives, City University of New York

🏫 Hosted by NEPSEA
🔗 Register at https://tcollege.me/4r8PHKB

01/28/2026

We are feeling the love and support from our colleagues at University of Rochester - Warner School of Education. The work continues!

01/28/2026

📣 Your Voice Matters: OSERS Virtual Listening Session

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is hosting a virtual listening session and invites parents, students, teachers, paraprofessionals, school staff, individuals with disabilities, and disability stakeholders from across the nation to participate.

This is an opportunity to share your personal experiences with special education and vocational rehabilitation—including what’s working, what’s not, and what you want the Department to hear.

✅ OSERS leadership will be in attendance to listen
📌 This session is listening only—no discussion or responses will be provided
🗣️ Speaking opportunities are first come, first served (3 minutes max per speaker)
✉️ If you are unable to speak, you may submit remarks via email after registering

🗓️ WHEN: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
🕛 TIME: 12:00 – 3:00 PM EST
💻 WHERE: Zoom 🔗https://events.zoomgov.com/ev/AkxJmtZeb4zY7wOJ0yHZ32u0038ivsipaiUoY0dmbhDnrMx20xAB~AvSqWUoosMeZH4NElEerjEfzAjv-uMiGfywnmIe3m8nVbSVD3Q0ijvMOxw

01/26/2026

New podcast alert! 🎧 Evidence to Employment: Transition Research in Action is now live from the VCU–RRTC on Employment Among Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities. Episode 1 features Dr. Paul Wehman sharing practical insights on what supports inclusive employment for youth with disabilities. Listen now on your platform of choice: https://transition.vcurrtc.org/resources/podcast.cfm

01/26/2026

We are grateful to many at the National Down Syndrome Congress for their constant advocacy.

Congressional appropriations committees have rejected the President's proposed block-granting and elimination of IDEA programs, including parent training and information centers, personnel preparation, and technical assistance centers, thanks to the advocacy of the disability community. The appropriations bill for the US Department of Education and other agencies, approved by the House and shortly to be considered by the Senate, contains strong language about the Administration's actions to dismantle the department. As NDSC’s Policy and Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, says in this article, “The bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Education from transferring any education funding to another federal agency unless an appropriations law allows it to do so. The bill clearly states that no authorities exist for ED to transfer its fundamental responsibilities and prohibits any funds to be used for any department reorganization that decentralizes, reduces staffing levels, or alters the responsibilities of the department.” It will be important for advocates to remain vigilant and involved as Congress acts and the Department moves forward.

Read more > https://bit.ly/3NN2l2R

01/16/2026

We have exciting news. Martha Mock (PI) and Mary Judge Diegert (co-PI) have received a $1 million grant from the Department of Education to further their work in program accreditation.

“Students and their families need clear, reliable information about program quality, student learning, and employment outcomes to make informed decisions,” says Mock. “Accreditation plays a critical role in ensuring accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement across these postsecondary programs.”

This work will be done in partnership with the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council .

A $1 million federal grant to URochester and the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council advances quality, transparency, and workforce outcomes nationwide.

01/14/2026

The National Down Syndrome Congress has shared a wonderful free toolkit for State and Local Policy Advocacy. Advocating is a great way to share your story and take action. Check it out and share!

We’re excited to launch the new NDSC State & Local Policy Advocacy Toolkit 🎉 This is a helpful resource for self-advocates, families, and allies who want to create change close to home 🏡

This easy-to-use toolkit focuses on state and local issues and offers guidance on connecting with leaders, sharing your story, building relationships, and organizing in your community 🗣️🤝

It also includes examples of one-pagers, elevator speeches, social media posts, and public comments to help you get started and feel confident taking action at the state and local level ✨

Click here to view the toolkit > https://bit.ly/NDSC-State-Local-Toolkit

01/08/2026

We are looking forward to this speaker series! Be sure to register for the first session!

Join The Northeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (NEPSEA) for the first in six-part speaker series!

College-Based Transition Services in Action
January 14, 3-4pm ET
Presented by Lyndsey Nunes and Ashley Collins

Learn how Massachusetts is expanding inclusive dual enrollment through partnerships between school districts and colleges — strengthening transition pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
All states welcome.

Register at https://tcollege.me/45h3cP6