July 15, 2026

Recent Federal Actions Threaten People With Disabilities

We need your help to fight back!



A series of recent federal actions have put the civil rights, education and care of people with disabilities at risk. We've put together an info sheet for advocates and legislators that provides an overview of key issues, and the true impact federal actions are having on people with disabilities.

The Arc New York is committed to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. But our advocacy is infinitely more powerful when you're a part of it.

This is a fight for the fundamental civil rights of people with disabilities.

We ALL need to raise our voices, INCLUDING YOU!

We're sharing three simple actions YOU can take today to push back on these decisions. Please take action and raise your voice!

Call to Action: Preserve Community Supports!

The Arc New York released a public statement condemning the Department of Justice opinion that challenges the Olmstead decision and the protections it affords. But speaking out in opposition is not enough!

We need to advocate with our representatives to protect community-based services, and give them a clear call to action so they know how to help.

The Arc New York is developing a Federal Advocacy Toolkit to support your efforts, including background information, talking points, and ways to engage your federal representatives. We need YOU to reach out to your U.S. senators, representatives, and their staff. Set up a meeting or call their office. When you do, be sure you're also armed with your Chapter’s local data and constituent stories!

We've collaborated with our NYDA partners to develop resources responding to the Department of Justice opinion on Olmstead, and advocating for the fundamental right of people with disabilities to live and work in their community.

More resources will be coming in the near future. Get the current tools below:

• NYDA Talking Points and Background on The Right to Community Services
• NYDA Legislative Leave-behind on The Right to Community Services

You can learn more about the DOJ opinion in our July 5 Advocacy Update.

Call to Action: Defend Educational Rights!

The Arc of the United States is mobilizing advocates nationwide to send a message to Congress that moving special education oversight outside the Department of Education is unacceptable!

Recent administrative changes to the Department of Ed moved the oversight of special education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the enforcement of civil rights in education to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

These moves separate the agencies that have historically collaborated to ensure appropriate educational services and legal protections for students with disabilities.



This move is wrong, and the danger is clear. It could mean:

• Reducing a child's education to a diagnosis, instead of recognizing their right and ability to learn.
• Separating special education from K-12 education, even though students with disabilities belong in the same classrooms and schools as their peers.
• Moving civil rights enforcement away from the education expertise families need when a student is denied access, support, or faces discrimination. 
• Hindering coordination and accessibility for families seeking assistance.

The US Department of Education has not reassured disability advocates that these protections will continue with the full force needed to ensure all children receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), as reported in this article from NPR.

These rights exist because parents who built The Arc refused to accept that their children with disabilities deserved less. We will not go back!

Read The Arc's statement on these changes here. Learn more in our June 22 Advocacy Update, and be sure to watch The Arc of the United States’ CEO Katy Neas on MS NOW.

Then TAKE ACTION! Join in The Arc's one-click campaign to quickly send a message to your representatives demanding they stand up for education rights!

Call to Action: Protect Immigrant Care Workers and the People they Support!

A recent Supreme Court decision could allow many people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to lose their legal permission to live and work in the United States. The people at risk are active and valued members of their community, including direct care workers and skilled nursing staff who support New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

If TPS holders lose work authorization, experienced employees who people with IDD and their families trust and rely on every day will be forced to leave the country. Not only will this be devastating to the people they support, it will leave providers with sudden vacancies in critical care positions they're already struggling to fill.

Congress can act now to protect these workers, support disability service providers, and help ensure that individuals with I/DD continue to receive the support they need. We need to let them know how!

We are calling on legislators to:

• Support H.R. 1689/S.4814, which would extend Haiti’s TPS designation through 2029. This bill already passed the House with bipartisan support, and is waiting for a vote in the Senate. Check the roll call vote here to see if your representatives supported the bill.
• Support H.R. 9523, the TPS Relief Act, which would restore the ability of courts to review future TPS terminations.
• Protect the direct support workforce that helps New Yorkers with disabilities receive consistent, high-quality care.

Chapters of The Arc New York participated in a rally and press conference in Manhattan calling for Congress to support these actions.

The Arc Rockland CEO Jessica Pizzutello and Self-Advocacy President Katy Sanchez spoke about the impact of the TPS decision in their community.

More than 20 staff members at The Arc Rockland have already returned to Haiti due to immigration issues, and another 22 could be forced to return as soon as next week if the TPS termination is allowed to stand. Jessica and Katy raised their voices for their staff. Now we need you to raise yours!

Please join in our one-click TPS campaign and call on your legislators today. Urge them to support H.R. 1689/S.4814 and H.R. 9523, and keep these skilled and trusted staff members in the communities where they belong!

Resources for People Affected by the TPS Decision

OPWDD shared guidance from New York’s Office for New Americans (ONA) and their community partners that provide resources and supports to help people affected by the TPS decision understand their basic rights regarding interactions with law enforcement, food and nutrition resources, health and wellness, and employment. More information is available on ONA’s website. You can share this poster with a QR code that will direct people to ONA’s website.

States Sue CMS Over Medicaid Work Requirements

New York is one of 24 states suing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) over their final rule, which defines more restrictive exemptions for work requirements. KFF published an overview of the lawsuit, including its text. You can also read our initial overview and recommendations here.

Register for The Arc Policy & Advocacy Webinar

Join The Arc of the United States Wednesday, July 29, at 2 PM to get the latest on federal policy activity and The Arc’s advocacy work, and make sure you’re up to date on the resources your chapter can use to navigate conversations with lawmakers around key policy priorities in the months ahead. Register Here Now!