Following this years presidential election, I believe that it is necessary to open the conversation about the future of accessibility in environmental and web spaces.
As of now, I'm no voice for the people, no pundit or "expert" in politics or legislation. I am simply a tech designer who specializes in accessibility, with a criminology degree, and an agent for equalizing the playing field for marginalized communities, as I believe that's where true innovation and creativity lies. I will attempt to impartially educate my readers on this topic as my core principles lie with accessibility for each individual regardless of background, race, skin color, belief system, gender, age, and orientation, or place of origin.
Disability affects everyone in every group. Accessibility, ultimately, is for us all to greatly benefit from in positive ways. However, it would be irresponsible and remiss for me to ignore the greater happenings and implications that affect people with disabilities on a larger scale. Especially, after the U.S. election this year.
Being that we are accessibility-focused on this platform, I'll go over the parts that affect students, workers, and seniors with disabilities and special needs.
Prior to the elections, there was much discourse and dismay surrounding the Republican based Project 2025 plans spread about the media. It threatened to end Social Security Disability benefits, Medicaid, and dismantle the Department of Education, which all allow people with disabilities to have autonomy in their healthcare, education, and independence. Project 2025 also challenged the EEOC's consent decrees, which are used to investigate anti-discrimination claims within corporations.
The Department of Education
The Congress created the Department of Education in 1980, and this helped create laws that protect education and funding for students with diverse learning needs, although Special Educational laws predate the Department of Education. The Department of Education regulates major laws such as the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), Title 1 funding (for low income areas), and Special Needs education laws. So, these laws are separate from the Department of Education. If the Department of Education is eliminated, the laws enacted under the Department of Education including IDEA, Title 1 funding, special education funding, and Civil Rights laws, will remain in place. In order for these specific laws to be null, funding will have to be completely withdrawn from these programs. Congress (or likely the states) will need to ensure that funds are appropriated for these programs to continue if the Department of Education is eliminated.
Educational funding for special needs programs have typically gained bipartisan support, meaning that both political sides agree in the importance of quality education for students who need the specialized support. Because of this, It's highly unlikely that these special programs will experience a reduction in funding.
However, the absence of the Department of Education to measure and enforce fundamental education laws will absolutely present challenges such as possibly worsening the teacher deficit, lack of general oversight from federal government, on top of its existing hardships that have always plagued public education schools.
If the department is eliminated, experts have stated that the department funding will be reallocated to other areas in the federal government. Currently, states only receive about 10% of federal funding for education, the remaining 90% is funded from state taxes. The federal funding for special needs programs will be reduced and left to the responsibility of the parent, school, or state to subsidize. Without this 10% from federal funding, there will be a noticeable reduction in funding for special programs, not a complete elimination.
Social Security Benefits
Social Security Disability benefits are not being threatened by any sanctions at the moment, despite some claims being disseminated via social media. The bill to expand benefits was shot down, but existing social security benefits are expected to remain in place for seniors, and people with disabilities who are working. Please look into the possibility of reduced payments in the near future, due to the evasion of addressing this issue, and fewer working people in the economy to contribute less social security taxes. https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/13/politics/benefits-trump-social-security-plan/index.html
EEOC
Back to the EEOC concerns - as some readers may know, the ADA is under the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department at this current moment. Matt Geatz is projected to become the Attorney General of the Justice Department. There is expectation that there may be serious restructuring to the Justice Department ordered by Gaetz, but he still has to be voted in and vetted by Congress.
ADA
At this time, there is no word on the future of the Civil Rights Division or the ADA specifically. However, the aim of the president-elect party is to shift towards privatization of agencies- meaning allowing states to determine their own agencies and funding for support of them- and this probably means less federal funding for disability focused initiatives and less enforcement against discrimination on a federal level. Currently, many states already have their own disability rights laws and accessibility laws. Some argue that the states and federal government were sparsely protecting individual disability rights prior to the election, and now it's worrisome that the responsibility of evaluating things like civil rights are left up to individual states to "do the right thing".
What does this mean for Accessibility?
Regarding accessibility, some larger companies have built their entire business model on accessibility- so have I. Accessibility has and will always be a long term investment. There may be setbacks in some regards, however, some states like Vermont regularly allot funds to accessibility focused websites and technology. I do not foresee a drastic change in progress within the public or private sector, but many adjustments to the federal system have yet to be determined.
As for me, I invest, create, and most importantly educate about the power of equity. Although helping people is at the forefront of my career decision, the fact is that accessibility has profoundly improved the lives of us all, regardless of abilities. No change in political power will stop the advocation and grass roots efforts for equity.
In conclusion
Marginalized communities have faced persistent barriers throughout history, and now more than ever. Collaboration, unity, trust, and mutual education are essential to safeguarding the progress we've made and the progress we will continue to make as a country. This year, American Airlines received one of the largest penalties in history—a $50 million fine—for failing to provide accessible airline services. It’s important to acknowledge how far we’ve come since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and to remain steadfast in our refusal to go backward.
While society may experience instability from political leadership, understanding history and human rights equips us with the crucial tools to protect our rights against future challenges. The rights of people with disabilities have been contested before, and they will likely be challenged again. Showing up to the polls for the 2026 midterm election is a critical way to exercise your inalienable rights as a citizen and defend the protections that impact your children, loved ones, community, and yourself. https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
All sources have been cross-verified by the head content strategist at Accessibility Fundamentals Academy. However, always exercise due diligence in researching topics for yourself, do not rely on AI for your news source. Always do your own research, education is power. Our eBook details historical declarations and conventions, modern regulations used to win many disability lawsuits, and landmark victories that has set precedence for a future that is still, despite temporary uncertainty, equitable. https://accessibilityfundamentalsacademy.com/b/HghCj
I apologize in advance if this blog leaves more questions than answers. If I missed anything, it is by accident, and I will revise if notified. As we await the government's changes in the coming months, I will update you all. Thanks for reading!
"Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions have always been impossible."
- Doris Lessing
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/us/politics/gaetz-attorney-general-justice-department-fbi.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CvqCHcW3KM
https://dredf.org/blog-post/project-2025-and-the-disability-community/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/13/politics/benefits-trump-social-security-plan/index.html