Michelle Diament of Disability Scoop reported (August 11, 2025) that a “key U.S. Senate panel rejected a Trump administration push to make major changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and defund some disability programs.”
The Trump administration’s plan calls for eliminating funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, or UCEDDs, as well as other changes. The article explains that UCEDDs, “which have existed in every state for more than 60 years, provide everything from early intervention programs and autism evaluations to training on developmental disabilities for families, self-advocates and professionals in the community.”
The article concludes with a statement from Lillie Heigl, director of policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, a national association for UCEDDs and other similar programs. “My biggest, most important thing I’m stressing with folks is that this is positive but we can’t let up,” Heigl said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
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