What is Project 2025 and why it MATTERS to people with Disabilities.

It has been incredibly difficult since Trump launched another round of attacks on those who cannot defend themselves. While he claimed on the campaign trail that he had no plan, it’s clear he had one all along.
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Project 2025 will cause widespread harm, but I want to highlight how it will specifically impact individuals with disabilities and families raising children with disabilities. The damage this plan will inflict goes far beyond what many realize.

​Project 2025 is a policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative organizations to guide a future Republican administration. It aims to significantly reshape the federal government by reducing federal oversight, cutting funding, and shifting responsibilities to the states. Here's how it could impact the Department of Education, Special Education, and Medicaid, particularly for people with disabilities:

1. Department of Education

• Project 2025 calls for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education entirely.
• This would end federal oversight of education, including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) enforcement, which ensures students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
• States and local governments would take full control, potentially leading to unequal protections and funding disparities for students with disabilities.

2. Special Education (IDEA & Other Supports)

• Without federal oversight, states could cut funding for special education programs or weaken enforcement of IDEA, making it harder for families to hold schools accountable.
• This could lead to reduced access to accommodations, therapy, and individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities.
• Some conservative policymakers favor school choice and voucher programs, which may divert public school funding to private schools that are not required to follow IDEA protections.

3. Medicaid & Healthcare Services

• Project 2025 promotes drastic cuts to Medicaid, shifting more control to states and potentially reducing eligibility, coverage, and services.
• Many people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for home- and community-based services (HCBS), therapies, medical equipment, and personal care assistance.
• Cuts to Medicaid could mean longer waitlists, loss of in-home care, and institutionalization risks for people with disabilities.
• Some proposals also target the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which could remove protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

How This Harms People with Disabilities

• Loss of special education rights → More families forced into legal battles to secure appropriate services.
• Cuts to Medicaid services → Fewer supports for independent living, risking institutionalization.
• Reduced federal protections → Increased state-by-state disparities, making services harder to access.
• Privatization of services → Disability rights and accessibility protections could weaken under private systems.
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In short, Project 2025 could strip away vital protections and funding that people with disabilities rely on, making education, healthcare, and daily life significantly harder. 

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CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

​I always encourage people to reach out to their legislators at both the state and federal levels—your voice matters! Unfortunately, in my case, my pleas continue to be ignored by my elected officials, including Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, and Congressman Zach Nunn. At the state level, I have also found that State Representative Carter Nordman, State Senator Jesse Greene and Attorney General Brenna Bird (who wants to remove Section 504)  do not engage with or respond to their constituents. Still, I will be waiting on my form letter response, as usual.

If you want to make your voice heard, you can find and contact your federal and state representatives here:
      🔹 Find Your U.S. Senators
      🔹 Find Your U.S. House Representative
      🔹 Find Your Iowa State Legislators
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Advocacy takes persistence, but silence only enables inaction. Keep reaching out! 

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SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVELY OPPOSING PROJECT 2025

The organizations below can provide you with valuable information and opportunities to advocate against the proposed changes in Project 2025. They offer resources, action alerts, and platforms to amplify the voices of individuals concerned about the potential negative impacts on the disability community.

The following organizations are actively opposing the Project 2025 proposals and are advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Here are some key resources and advocacy groups:

1. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - The ACLU is committed to defending civil rights and liberties, including those of people with disabilities. They have analyzed Project 2025 and its potential threats to civil rights. Their insights can be found here:
aclu.org

2. Center for American Progress (CAP) - The CAP has published analyses detailing how Project 2025 could harm disabled individuals by removing essential civil rights protections and limiting access to necessary services. Their report is available at:
americanprogress.org

3. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) - The DREDF focuses on advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. They have discussed the implications of Project 2025 on Medicaid and the importance of this program for community living. Read their perspective here:
dredf.org

4. American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) - The AAPD has provided overviews of how Project 2025's policy proposals could impact the disability community and other marginalized groups. Their analysis can be found at:
aapd.com

5. National Health Law Program (NHeLP) - NHeLP protects and advances health rights of low-income and underserved individuals. They have expressed concerns about Project 2025's potential threats to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Learn more here:
healthlaw.org

6. National Education Association (NEA) - The NEA has highlighted how Project 2025 could devastate public education, including special education services vital for students with disabilities. Their insights are available at:
nea.org

7. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - This coalition has discussed the broader threats Project 2025 poses to democracy and civil rights, which encompass the rights of people with disabilities. Read their perspective here:
civilrights.org