This document highlights the significant economic, healthcare, and educational challenges faced by people with disabilities. It details how barriers such as poverty, limited employment opportunities, inadequate healthcare access, and underfunded education systems contribute to persistent inequities.
The Brad Meyer for US Congress Campaign participated in three roundtable discussions with people with disabilities and advocates, which led to policy recommendations focused on expanding services, removing financial disincentives, and increasing support for more inclusive healthcare and improved educational opportunities.
Overall, the message is that systemic, disability-inclusive reforms are essential for improving quality of life and equity for people with disabilities and their families.
The Education Status of Students with Disabilities
One in four Americans reports having a disability. People with disabilities face significant educational disparities compared to people without disabilities. The disparities include lower high school graduation rates, higher rates of not completing high school, and lower rates of bachelor’s degree attainment.
Here are the key educational status disparities:
- Higher Education: In 2023, only 21.2% of adults with disabilities held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 38.7% of those without disabilities.
- High School Completion: Roughly 1 in 5 people with a disability have less than a high school diploma, compared to 1 in 10 for those without a disability. In 2017, the graduation rate for students with disabilities was 67%, compared to 85% for all students.
- Alternative Credentials: Students with disabilities (specifically autism or intellectual disabilities) are more likely to receive alternative credentials, such as a certificate of completion, rather than a standard diploma.
- Persistent Gap: Despite some progress, academic achievement gaps for students with special educational needs (SEN) often persist or widen compared to peers without disabilities.
- Employment Connection: Lower educational attainment directly impacts employment, with individuals with disabilities facing much higher unemployment rates.
Special Education
Approximately 15% of U.S. public school students receive special education and related services, a share that has nearly doubled in the last four decades. The increased services in special education due to the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have led to significant challenges for education, including funding shortfalls, staffing shortages, and proposed federal policy shifts. While laws like the IDEA ensure access to education, there is a substantial, persistent gap in attainment for youth with disabilities.
- Federal Funding Gap: The federal government provides only about 10% of the total per-student cost for special education, far short of the 40% promised when IDEA was enacted. This shortfall places a significant financial burden on states and local districts.
- Policy and Oversight Concerns: The Trump administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal aimed to merge most IDEA funding streams into a single “Special Education Support Grant” and to transfer enforcement to the Department of Justice, a move opposed by advocacy groups.
- Staffing Shortages and Burnout: Districts nationwide struggle to hire and retain qualified special education teachers and staff due to high workloads, extensive paperwork, and lack of support.
- Technological Integration: The use of assistive technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and speech-to-text software, is a growing trend that offers new opportunities, though implementation remains uneven due to funding and training gaps.
Overall, the education status for youth with disabilities is one of a system under strain, relying heavily on the established legal framework of IDEA but grappling with resource limitations and potential large-scale federal policy shifts.
The Solution
After reviewing the information on recent events and demographics, roundtable participants addressed the question, What federal policy changes are needed to improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities?
- Promote evidence-based programming. A big role of the federal special education program is to share best practices and assist states in implementing those locally, so that states can learn from each other.
- Fully Fund IDEA. As noted, the federal government has never fully funded IDEA. By increasing funding for special education services, all states will be able to provide early and high-quality services.
- Professional training. Federal support can help to address the staff shortages and encourage early intervention. All school principals and administrators should have some training in working with students with disabilities.
- Reduce stigma, Federal programs to promote disability awareness need to continue and be strengthened, NOT eliminated in the guise of combating DEI.
- Inclusive Education and Services: We must prioritize what works and support states in educating students in general education settings, rather than in special classrooms.
- Early Identification and education: Early childhood education works to reduce the impact of disability. Study after study supports the positive outcomes.
- Assistive Technology: Increasing federal support for devices and software to improve access to digital learning is essential to eliminate the tremendous technology gap.
- Vocational training: Often, students with disabilities are met with low expectations and shunted into sheltered workshops. Schools must focus on preparing students for integrated, competitive employment.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Enhancing training for educators to use data to monitor progress and drive instruction for ALL students.
The Return on Investment
Investing in education and mental health services for youth with disabilities yields a high return on investment (ROI), with studies indicating returns of up to 23.6 times the cost through improved long-term economic, health, and social outcomes. Specialized services reduce school dropouts by over 50% and decrease inpatient mental health costs by over 43%. Every $100 invested in behavioral health can save $190 in medical costs.
- Education and Employment (1:2 ROI): Increased investment in special education and support services, such as those under IDEA, is linked to higher graduation rates (10% higher for lower-income families) and increased future earnings (13% higher personal income).
- Mental Health Services: Implementing evidence-based mental health interventions for adolescents offers a high ROI of 23.6, with particularly high returns for treating anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior.
- System of Care (Wraparound Services): Community-based “wraparound” care for youth with behavioral health challenges has been shown to reduce school dropout rates from roughly 20% to 8.6%, creating substantial economic gains.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Programs that help youth with disabilities prepare for employment generate significant social and financial returns, increasing independence and long-term economic stability.
- Early Intervention: Early identification and intervention yield a high return on investment (ROI), with estimates ranging from $4 to $16 for every $1 invested. These programs enhance cognitive, social, and emotional development, significantly reducing long-term special education and societal costs.
The economic benefits of special education extend beyond the immediate savings. It results in a more productive workforce and reduced public expenditure on long-term disability and welfare, with a potential increase in GDP of $32 trillion.
Brad Meyer for US Congress Policy Summary
Here are recommendations from the disabilities roundtables, which call for the following:
- Increase federal funding
- Use evidence-based programming,
- Address staffing shortages in professional training,
- Provide for early intervention to address staffing shortages and improve outcomes.
These policy goals aim to create a more equitable, supportive environment across healthcare, employment, and education for people with disabilities.