Trump’s pick for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, threatens access to public education for all, however, students who have mental illness, autism, or intellectual disability, will suffer the most. Ms. DeVos’ platform to expand voucher programs and give families taxpayer dollars to attend private and religious schools will slowly but surely dismantle the current public education system.
It is high time to dispense with the fear that ratification of the CRPD will somehow lead to a disintegration of U.S. sovereignty. Ratification of the CRPD is uncontroversial and can only have positive effects for individuals with disabilities and advocates for disability rights both in the United States and the international community. It should be ratified and enforced in the United States.
Parents of autistic children face many challenges, but those of African-American decent encounter even greater obstacles. African-American children are statistically far less likely to receive an autism diagnosis. Further complicating matters are the complex racial divides in the United States today. For example, imagine attempting to teach your autistic black son how to interact with police and having absolutely no guidance.
