On February 10th, President Trump released “A Budget for America’s Future”, which entailed proposed spending for 2021. This report details how tax payer dollars will be most effectively spent to improve both critical and current needs of our country.
In this report, the areas of concentration and increased and/or continued spending for the Department of Education included increased and/or continued funding for programs creating new elementary and secondary education for Disadvantaged Block Grant, increased support for career and technical education (CTE), provides education freedom to families/students to choose their institutions, protect students and taxpayers from the student loan burden, increased spending for historically black colleges and universities, expanding pell grant opportunities, and more.
The article of interest for those of us working with or supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities was the following:
“Invests Significant Resources for Students with Disabilities. The Administration believes that all children, including children with disabilities, should have access to a high-quality education. The Budget invests nearly $13 billion in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Grants to States, an increase of $100 million compared to the 2020 enacted level. This increase would provide more resources for States to provide special education and related services for over seven million students with disabilities.”
The Budget has committed to the continued funding of grants provided by IDEA at the 2020 level of $13 billion. This funding provides the following three grants to serve children with disabilities:
- Part B Formula Grants: Free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities. (Grants to States and Preschool Grants)
- Part C Formula grants: Grants for Infants and Family program.
The detailed plan of how the additional $100 million is yet to be specified.
As an assistive technology company that serves people with intellectual disabilities, we are able to witness first-hand, the efficacy of its utilization to help those with intellectual disabilities flourish beyond their current capabilities. In turn, technology saves both time and money for our country’s teachers, care providers, DSP’s and rehab professionals.
CreateAbility is currently working with two Federal Agencies (via their small business innovative and research programs) to develop new technology that helps people with IDs and those that have survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This program is yielding positive results in the areas of creating and maintaining person-centric care plans; which ultimately has a desirable effect on the rehabilitation goals for the client.
We are in great hopes additional funds will open up new grant opportunities for our partners and other companies to further the research and development of assistive technologies as a way to support both current and upcoming government initiatives.
If you are interested in learning about how assistive technology can help the people you serve, please email us at info@createabilityinc.com or call us at 317.646.7142.
