Re: “Federal funding cuts planned for WA deafblind program” (Sept. 13, Schooling Lab):
The cruelty of the present presidential administration is aware of no bounds. I used to be heartbroken to learn that the Trump administration, within the identify of opposing range, fairness and inclusion packages, has stripped $200,000 in federal funding from a Washington program that gives invaluable help to youngsters with profound visible and listening to impairments.
These are little children and their households in vital want of specialised companies and experience, with out which these youngsters won’t ever obtain the potential of “fairness” within the workforce and “inclusion” within the broader neighborhood. There seems to be solely gratitude from the households receiving these companies and no reported complaints concerning the employees and knowledgeable help supplied.
But, the federal authorities is reducing funding as a result of the Washington State Faculty for the Blind has a coverage of recruiting “culturally, racially and ethnically numerous managers and leaders,” which is “in battle with company (U.S. Division of Schooling) coverage and priorities, and so just isn’t in the very best curiosity of the Federal Authorities.”
Is that this not outrageous? When is sufficient sufficient?
Thomas Heller, MD, MPH, Seattle
