accessibility – Page 14 – Stepping Stones Center

October 5, 2026· Inclusive Education

Proposed CDC Survey Overhaul Threatens to Severely Undercount Americans with Developmental Disabilities, Advocates Warn

A sweeping proposed overhaul of a crucial federal health survey is drawing sharp criticism from disability advocates, researchers, and public health experts who warn that the changes could lead to a drastic and dangerous undercount of Americans living with developmental disabilities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently spearheading major structural and…

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October 5, 2026· Assistive Technology

Nashville Children’s Hospital Pioneers On-Site 3D-Printed Wheelchairs to Expand Pediatric Mobility Access

At the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville, the newest piece of mobility equipment is a 3D-printed wheelchair—built layer by layer by a gaming and technology specialist who had never set out to design a wheelchair at all. That detail matters. It is a small sign of a much bigger shift happening in pediatric…

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October 5, 2026· Inclusive Education

Proposed Changes to Key Federal Health Survey Threaten Major Undercount of Americans with Developmental Disabilities, Advocates Warn

A proposed federal overhaul of a critical nationwide health survey is drawing sharp criticism from advocacy groups and researchers who warn that the changes could trigger a drastic undercount of Americans living with developmental disabilities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently pursuing major modifications to the 2028 version of the National…

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October 4, 2026· Assistive Technology

McMaster University Students Launch $20 Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Startup to Combat Global Barriers to Care

Three McMaster University students have stepped forward to challenge one of the most persistent and costly hurdles in modern healthcare, aiming to disrupt an industry where high prices have long kept essential devices out of reach for millions of people. Driven by personal experiences watching family members struggle with the financial burden of hearing loss…

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October 2, 2026· Assistive Technology

England Removes Time Restrictions on Free Bus Passes for Disabled Travelers in Landmark Nationwide Policy Shift

Starting April 1, disabled people across England will be able to travel by bus for free at any time of day, marking a monumental shift in national transportation policy. Previously, free bus passes were strictly restricted to off-peak hours on weekdays, specifically valid only between 09:30 and 23:00. These legacy limitations created profound barriers for…

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October 2, 2026· Inclusive Education

The Invisible Struggle: Why Autistic Girls Are Being Overlooked and Paying the Ultimate Price

Ruby Hobbs-Leffler experienced the world with an intensity that her sharp intellect and extensive vocabulary could never quite capture. Life was a relentless barrage of glaring lights, deafening sounds, and intolerable textures and tastes. Emotions surfaced with a force she could not control: inconsolable cries during infancy, disruptive classroom meltdowns throughout childhood, and intense rages…

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October 2, 2026· Inclusive Education

FEMA to Reinstate Disaster Training Focused on People with Disabilities Following GAO Report

The nation’s top emergency response agency has announced it will bring back specialized training focused on meeting the needs of people with disabilities during disasters, reversing a suspension that has lasted for more than a year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency removed the training from its active curriculum in response to various executive orders, according…

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October 1, 2026· Inclusive Education

Disability Service Providers Face Unprecedented Closures and Cuts Amid Deepening Staffing Crisis and Medicaid Cuts

Disability service providers across the United States are finding themselves forced into an impossible corner, actively turning away new referrals, scaling back vital programs, and struggling to maintain daily operations. With massive funding cuts looming large on the horizon and a relentless labor shortage gripping the nation, leaders within the sector report that they see…

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September 30, 2026· Assistive Technology

Empowering Advocacy: The 2026 Assistive Technology and Disability Awareness Calendar Moves Beyond Static Lists

As the global community looks ahead to 2026, the Assistive Technology (AT) sector continues to center its mission on what matters most: access, inclusion, and sustained innovation. Yet, industry stakeholders increasingly recognize that behind the complex software algorithms, mobility devices, and digital interfaces lies a deeply human narrative. This human side of technology encompasses the…

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September 30, 2026· Inclusive Education

Community Roots to Classrooms: How an Illinois Program Turns Volunteer Parents into Paid Paraprofessionals

CHICAGO — For years, Maria Johnson slipped quietly into Chicago Public Schools classrooms as a volunteer parent, serving as an extra set of hands to help students sound out their reading, guide them through assignments, and offer a comforting presence in hallways where resources were often stretched thin. She cannot recall the exact year she…

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