The former Pennsylvania Governor wrote, “Most Americans do not know that the 2020 budget is still full of cuts that aim directly at many other programs that support people with disabilities.”
He added, “The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2020 budget would make cuts across multiple agencies and offices that serve Americans with disabilities, stripping them of essential resources. Of particular urgency to me and many of my colleagues are the devastating impacts that the weakening of these agencies would have on job seekers with disabilities.”
According to Mr. Ridge, the programs and services at risk of funding reduction include independent living centers, assistive-technology programs, supports for people living with brain injuries, family caregiver support services, etc.
The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is also on the chopping block. ODEP is the only non-regulatory federal agency that coordinates and promotes hiring people with disabilities.
Mr. Ridge said, “Cutting funding to these critical programs — that turn tax consumers into taxpayers — is not only unjust but also fiscally foolish. That’s especially true now, at a time when our nation is seeing historically low unemployment rates and employers need to find new sources for talent.
