disabilities – Page 7 – Stepping Stones Center

October 9, 2026· Special Education

New Trump Accounts Offer Savings Opportunity, but Experts Warn of Risks for Children with Disabilities

Families across the United States are navigating a new financial landscape following the July debut of Trump Accounts, a government-backed initiative designed to bolster long-term savings for children. While the program promises a significant boost for many households—including an automatic $1,000 infusion from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for children born between 2025 and…

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October 7, 2026· Special Education

‘Mason’s Law’: New Missouri Legislation Aims to Protect Drivers with Disabilities During Police Stops

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop can be a source of anxiety for any driver, but for those with autism or other communication disabilities, the experience can quickly escalate into a life-altering crisis. For Megan Brown, the fear of what might have happened during a November afternoon last year remains a vivid, haunting…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

From a Terrifying Traffic Stop to State Legislation: How ‘Mason’s Law’ Aims to Protect Drivers with Autism and Disabilities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop nearly turned fatal on an autumn afternoon not far from a Northland apartment complex. A police officer with a drawn weapon shouted orders for a young man to exit his vehicle, creating a high-stakes encounter fueled by a misunderstanding of neurological differences. Today, that terrifying incident has…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

How A Cop Drawing His Gun Led To Safeguards For Drivers With Disabilities

Ten months after that terrifying afternoon, Megan Brown still wells with tears when she reflects on the tragedy that might have unfolded. Her son, Mason Ott of Kansas City, North — who was 21 at the time and diagnosed with autism — found himself at the center of a tense police encounter just days before…

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October 7, 2026· Special Education

"Mason’s Law": Missouri Initiative Aims to Bridge the Gap Between Law Enforcement and Drivers with Disabilities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop is a high-stress event for any driver, but for Mason Ott, it nearly turned into a life-altering tragedy. Ten months after a frightening confrontation with a Kansas City police officer, his mother, Megan Brown, still finds herself overwhelmed with emotion when reflecting on how close she came…

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October 7, 2026· Special Education

‘Mason’s Law’: New Missouri Legislation Aims to Bridge the Gap Between Law Enforcement and Drivers with Disabilities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop is a high-stress event for any driver, but for those with autism or other communication-related disabilities, the experience can quickly devolve into a life-altering crisis. For Megan Brown, a mother from Lawrence, this abstract fear became a terrifying reality on an autumn afternoon last year. The incident,…

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October 7, 2026· Learning Disabilities

How a Frightening Traffic Stop Inspired Missouri’s ‘Mason’s Law’ to Protect Drivers with Autism and Disabilities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop nearly turned fatal on the Monday before Thanksgiving last year, when a Kansas City police officer pointed a firearm at a young driver and ordered him out of his vehicle at gunpoint. Ten months later, Megan Brown still wells with tears when she thinks of the tragedy…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

How A Cop Drawing His Gun Led To Safeguards For Drivers With Disabilities

Ten months after that terrifying afternoon just before Thanksgiving, Megan Brown still feels tears welling in her eyes when she reflects on the absolute tragedy that could have easily unfolded. Her son, Mason Ott of Kansas City, North — who was 21 years old at the time and diagnosed with autism — was simply driving…

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October 7, 2026· Special Education

‘Mason’s Law’: New Missouri Statute Aims to Protect Drivers with Disabilities During Traffic Stops

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop can be a source of anxiety for any motorist, but for Mason Ott, a 21-year-old with autism, it transformed into a harrowing, life-altering confrontation. The incident, which occurred on an autumn afternoon shortly before Thanksgiving last year, serves as the catalyst for a significant legislative change in…

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October 6, 2026· Learning Disabilities

Decatur Couple Expands Advocacy for Adults with Disabilities by Launching ‘Everyday Sunshine University’

DECATUR, Ala. — For families navigating the transition of a child with developmental disabilities from the structured safety of the public school system into adulthood, the road ahead often drops off into a steep cliff of uncertainty. In Decatur, Alabama, local entrepreneurs and advocates Jeff and Andrea Sharp are working to build a bridge across…

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