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Dear friend,
In a month meant for tricks and treats, we’re focused on the threats toward our community and many others. It’s all a lot less scary when we do it together, build community, and support one another in the ways we can. Read about what we’ve been up to this month!
Right now, the U.S. government is shut down. The government shutdown affects many important things in the U.S. It affects things like government programs, and workers in government offices. It can be hard to understand what is happening. That is why we made this plain language explainer! We talk about what a shutdown is. We also talk about what things in the US changed or will change from the shutdown. If you need help during the shutdown, we also talk about resources and places that can help.
On October 10, the Trump administration laid off more than 400 people at the Department of Education. Many of the people who were laid off worked in the Office of Special Education Programs, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Office for Civil Rights, and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. That means the Trump administration laid off almost everyone who made sure disabled students got the services and supports they need. This is not okay. ASAN will keep fighting for funding for these important programs. Tell Congress to stop these layoffs and protect education for disabled students. You can learn how to contact your elected officials here. You can also use this tool from the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) to send a message to Congress.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 Gala! Coming together to honor our community and celebrate all we’ve done is one of our favorite parts of the year. From our panelists to our awardees to everyone who grabbed tickets, our gala — and all of our work — is only possible thanks to your support. In case you missed it, you can still check out both panels and the award ceremony here! We’ve also added one more video from an awardee you won’t want to miss.
This month we were excited to share a blog post from ACI alum Lucas John. Lucas John is a college student and self-advocate who enjoys writing and wants to make the world a better place for those who have misunderstood disabilities. He has spoken at the Rethink Autism Conference and is everyday paving ways for students like him. You can read “A Typing Communicator, Communicating in College” here.
As we move through this month, we recognize and honor the holidays, celebrations, and important events that hold meaning for our community and beyond.
- Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
- Birth of the Báb
- Diwali
- Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
- Jain New Year
- Samhain
- Shemini Atzeret
- Simchat Torah
- Sukkot
- Yom Kippur
This month has been incredibly difficult. We have seen attacks on all of our communities, and as November looms many disabled people are worried about what comes next. The most powerful this we can do is support one another — find community, support local mutual aid, share what we have and ask for what we need. Our strength comes from our community, and we know every fight is a little easier with you.
With warm wishes,
The Team at ASAN
- ASAN signed onto a letter in opposition to requiring states to hand over sensitive data from their unemployment systems to the federal government.
- As a part of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), we signed this letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opposing work requirements for Medicaid.
- We joined a letter from The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) about our priorities around education for disabled children and youth.
- As a part of CCD, we joined comments to the Department of Education (ED) recommending that the ED rescind its proposal to remove the Significant Disproportionality data collection under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- ASAN joined over 800 national, state, and local organizations from all 50 states in a statement urging the Administration to reverse sweeping layoffs at the ED.
- As a part of CCD, we joined comments on the ED request for information (RFI) on redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
- We joined a letter to the ED about the sweeping layoffs.
- ASAN signed onto comments from the National Coalition on Accessible Voting in opposition to America First Legal's petition requiring additional documentation to vote.
- We signed onto another letter opposing the cuts to ED.
- ASAN signed onto a letter from Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) opposing anti-trans bills the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed to Congress.
- We signed onto a letter from FamiliesUSA in support of S.J.Res.82, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval on the repeal of the Richardson Waiver.
- ASAN signed onto a letter from the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) endorsing the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act.
- We signed onto comments from the National Employment Law Project about the no-tax-on-tips Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- ASAN endorsed the House Resolution for Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day 2025.
- We signed onto a letter from the National Women's Law Center to Colleges and Universities regarding the Compact from the Administration from the Education Task Force.
- ASAN signed onto a letter to Chairman Cassidy and Ranking Member Sanders requesting an oversight hearing on the ED Reduction in Force (RIF).
- We endorsed Representative Neguse's SSA Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2025.
- ASAN signed onto The National Housing Alliance's comment on Office of Science and Technology Policy Request for Information (RI) on Regulatory Reform on AI.
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