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What to Know and Do about Ongoing Changes to U.S. Disability Law and Policy

Jun 04, 2025 Author: Hezzy Smith Blog Posts Making Rights Real Policy

Recent changes to U.S. federal laws and policies will likely have profound effects on the disability community, which will be pressed to find ways to weather the storm.

In recent months, sweeping changes to federal laws and policies in the United States have impacted persons with disabilities, their families, and their allies. Additional consequential changes are likely to come, threatening hard-fought disability rights gains promoting community inclusion, health care, public education, and basic human dignity.

What to Know

Already, the White House has canceled diversity programs and workplace accommodation policies for disabled federal workers, discontinued sign language interpretation in official communications, and stripped disability-related information resources from federal webpages. The White House has also sharply reduced federal agency staff responsible for critical programs for the disability community, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Education (DOE), and the Department of Veteran Affairs. In addition, funds for research into services and programs benefiting the disability community have been revoked.

Even more changes may be coming.

Drastic cuts are being proposed to federal income, food, and housing assistance programs on which millions of poor disabled and older persons rely. Workforce reductions and office closures in the Social Security Administration will contribute to backlogs and payment disruptions for the 69 million disabled and older beneficiaries. Over 4 million non-elderly disabled adults may experience food insecurity following 30% cuts to the Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP). Millions of households with persons with disabilities may be at risk of homelessness following 43% cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Section 8 program.

Among cuts to federal programs, over $715 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts loom especially large. Specifically, persons with disabilities receiving Medicaid “home and community-based services” through state programs may lose access to personal care, in-home nursing, and durable medical equipment. For hundreds of thousands, these services are critical for enabling people to avoid large-scale institutionalization. All this comes at a time when over 700,000 individuals with disabilities are on waiting lists for community-based services and service providers already squeezed by a chronic staffing crisis are being steadily bought up by private equity firms.

Students with disabilities and their families will also be affected. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal government is the second-largest funding source for K-12 public schools, delivering $15 billion each year nationwide for students with disabilities. Plans to redirect IDEA funds into block grant programs not subject to the IDEA’s legal requirements will likely cut special education services for students with disabilities in greatest need. Medicaid cuts will also jeopardize one of the largest sources of funding for K-12 public schools, covering over $7.5 billion in related services for students with disabilities each year. And staffing cuts at the DOE have already imperiled critical oversight mechanisms even if, for now, the DOE is allowing disability-related complaints at schools and colleges.

Where affected individuals can turn in the face of a systemic retrenchment in federal disability policy is unclear. For example, as part of the restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services, the administration plans to dismantle the Administration for Community Living (ACL). ACL, the administrative backbone for the national network of over 400 centers for independent living, 68 university centers of excellence, and 57 legal aid providers responsible for delivering services, promoting innovations, and upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities—all free of charge. Without continued federal funding, many of the vital supports, services, and safeguards provided by these groups may disappear.

What to Do

The disability community, comprising more than 1 in 4 Americans (not to mention their family members, supporters, and allies), must prepare itself for these possible changes. Family members, neighbors, and charities are unlikely to adequately fill gaping holes in the formal disability service sector. Nevertheless, there are certain steps that persons with disability and their allies can take to better weather the effects of the policy changes now underway.

Educate yourself.

Learn more about how federal policy shifts will affect the programs or providers you regularly use. For example, you may not know that a state-run program you rely on is also paid for by federal funds. Talk to people you know at those programs and local providers about the effects they anticipate. Also, talk to your peers to learn what steps they are taking to prepare themselves. Make a map of the programs and providers you rely on and note the ones most likely to be affected by federal policy changes.

Educate your family, friends, and other supporters.

You may be intimately aware of the interconnected programs that power your daily life, but the people around you may not be. Especially for people with disabilities who have worked hard to achieve independence, others may not realize how federal and state programs for services, food, and housing interact behind the scenes make that possible. Reach out to people you trust now to make them aware of your support needs and what you think the effects of federal policy changes could mean for you.

Schedule necessary care.

Before service systems undergo major changes, now is the time to schedule repairs to assistive devices, therapy sessions, or health care visits. Previously available products and providers may become unavailable with little notice. Schedule in advance assessments or evaluations by health care providers that you may need to keep up to date to stay eligible for services. Also, discuss with your health care provider your options for accessing medications or devices.

Gather important documents.

Go over all the paperwork you need to have in place to keep your eligibility for federally funded programs. Discuss with your service coordinator, care manager, staff, or other supporters what kinds of paperwork you may need to have in the future. Make sure to review the details of what they say and get support to understand things you may not understand. Get electronic and print copies of important documents and organize them in a way that makes sense to you. Also, re-familiarize yourself with your options for appealing potential decisions to reduce or end your services, including guides and manuals that can help you navigate these processes.

Make back-up plans.

Although many persons with disabilities are used to service disruptions and staff shortages, these challenges may become more pronounced and cause longer or severe gaps in care. Imagine scenarios where you cannot access the support you need and plan out the steps you would take. Also, consider reaching out to trusted professionals whose jobs may be at risk and asking forcontact information to use in a time of need. Share your back-up plan with people you trust.

Strengthen your network.

Reach out to people you know among your family members, neighbors, and community organizations to see if you might turn to them in the future for certain kinds of support, should you experience gaps in services you previously received. Also, consider expanding the circle of people you know and trust, such as joining a peer or self-advocacy group.

Watch for warning signs.

The absence of formal early warning systems on federal disability policy makes developing your own system even more important. Identify reliable sources of national and local news, including journalists who specialize in reporting disability issues. Join email listservs or online forums to stay up to date.

Advocate, advocate, advocate.

Getting involved in advocacy efforts by respected leaders can not only help the disability community in the longer term, but it can also help you now. For example, you can strengthen your networks by joining advocacy and awareness-raising efforts. Doing so will also help you access more up-to-date information about policy changes affecting you and your peers.

Additional Information

Below, you can find additional informational resources that you may find helpful in preparing for the effects of the ongoing changes in longstanding U.S. disability laws, policies, and programs.

The National Council on Independent Living is the technical assistance center for the national network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Click here to find the CIL closest to you.
The National Disability Rights Network is the technical assistance center for the national network of Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organizations. Click here to find the P&A organization closest to you.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities is the technical assistance center for the national network of University Centers for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs). Click here to find the UCEDD closest to you.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources is the technical assistance center for the national network of parent training and information (PTI) centers. Click here to find the PTI center closest to you.
The Americans with Disabilities Act National Network (ADANN) provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the ADA. Click here to find the regional ADANN center closest to you.