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How DeVos’s Cuts Would Hurt Special-Needs Kids How DeVos’s Cuts Would Hurt Special-Needs Kids
(about 1 hour later)
Editors’ Note: After these letters were published online, it was reported that President Trump said he had overturned the proposal to cut funding for the Special Olympics.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Betsy DeVos Wants to Cut Special Olympics Funding. Here’s Why It Probably Won’t Happen” (nytimes.com, March 27):Re “Betsy DeVos Wants to Cut Special Olympics Funding. Here’s Why It Probably Won’t Happen” (nytimes.com, March 27):
As the parent of a special-needs child, I am filled with anger and disgust at the cuts being proposed for our educational system and to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s justifications for making such cuts. These cuts are being overshadowed by the justifiable outcry over the proposed elimination of federal funding for the Special Olympics.As the parent of a special-needs child, I am filled with anger and disgust at the cuts being proposed for our educational system and to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s justifications for making such cuts. These cuts are being overshadowed by the justifiable outcry over the proposed elimination of federal funding for the Special Olympics.
My son Nicholas is a loving 8-year-old developmentally delayed child. We were fortunate to have good health insurance and an amazing pediatrician who got Nicholas into early development programs when he was 2. Many families cannot afford services for special-needs children, making our son and others dependent on government assistance.My son Nicholas is a loving 8-year-old developmentally delayed child. We were fortunate to have good health insurance and an amazing pediatrician who got Nicholas into early development programs when he was 2. Many families cannot afford services for special-needs children, making our son and others dependent on government assistance.
We are thankful that Nicholas could attend a school specializing in educating children with developmental disabilities, and he continues to participate in specialized therapies to help him progress physically and teach him tasks we take for granted, such as tying our shoes or zippering a coat. This week Ms. DeVos outlined a plan that would cut tens of millions of dollars from programs designed to help my child and others like him. Yet Ms. DeVos wants to give $60 million to charter schools.We are thankful that Nicholas could attend a school specializing in educating children with developmental disabilities, and he continues to participate in specialized therapies to help him progress physically and teach him tasks we take for granted, such as tying our shoes or zippering a coat. This week Ms. DeVos outlined a plan that would cut tens of millions of dollars from programs designed to help my child and others like him. Yet Ms. DeVos wants to give $60 million to charter schools.
Ms. DeVos has relaxed or done away with dozens of regulations that have protected a free and appropriate education for special-needs children in public schools. This budget proposal will harm millions of American children who have special needs and who rely on federally funded resources to lead full and productive lives to the best of their abilities.Ms. DeVos has relaxed or done away with dozens of regulations that have protected a free and appropriate education for special-needs children in public schools. This budget proposal will harm millions of American children who have special needs and who rely on federally funded resources to lead full and productive lives to the best of their abilities.
Edward Smith Jr.Schenectady, N.Y.Edward Smith Jr.Schenectady, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Really? Cuts to the Special Olympics now? Did we appoint a cruelty czar?Really? Cuts to the Special Olympics now? Did we appoint a cruelty czar?
Larry LobertGrosse Pointe Park, Mich.Larry LobertGrosse Pointe Park, Mich.