Federal Budget Proposal Includes Funding for Autism Research, IDEA; Proposed Cuts Overall are Severe

February 18, 2011
By Jeff Sell

President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 federal budget provides less painful cuts than expected to the funding of programs and initiatives designed to help individuals living with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. These proposals include increased funding for autism research, workers with disabilities and the education of children with disabilities, but cuts in several important health programs.

The Autism Society was pleased to see that the President’s proposal includes funding for research through the National Institute of Health (NIH), so that families can better understand the etiology of the autism epidemic and, more importantly in many respects, provide appropriate treatments for our loved ones and affected families. The President’s proposal also includes “a $200 million increase for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).”

However, the cuts are severe. Reflecting the dire federal budget situation, the President proposed an $8 million reduction for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, from $662 million in FY 2010 to $654 million in FY 2012, along with proposed reductions for several other critical public health programs. Overall, it appears the Administration’s budget proposes a $685 million cut to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration and a $574 million cut to CDC.

Click here to read a summary of the disabilities budget.

The President’s budget includes several State Grants to “provide a high quality education and help offset state and local education costs for children with disabilities.” Among other recommendations, the President’s budget plan proposes funding to encourage workforce innovation to make jobs accessible to people with disabilities and suggests appropriating “$24 million to the Department of Labor for the Disability Employment Initiative, which awards grants to build the capacity of One-Stop Career Centers to serve individuals with disabilities.” There is an attempt to continue advancing initiatives that will support the employment of individuals affected by autism and easing the effect of the budget crisis facing our nation. For this, the Autism Society is grateful; however, much work remains.