President Trump has recently signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. More than 1,300 employees have been laid off, including about half of the staff at the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR is crucial in protecting the rights of parents whose children are on an IEP or 504 plan. The layoffs could significantly affect OCR’s attorneys’ ability to investigate complaints from parents about discrimination based on disability, among other issues.
The U.S. Department of Education states that stuttering is considered a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973 if it significantly limits one or more of their major life activities. Similarly, students may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the category of Speech or Language Impairment if their stutter substantially impacts their ability to access the general education curriculum. The layoffs at the OCR could make it more challenging for stuttering students and their families to take action against schools if their required services (such as speech therapy or mental health support) are not provided, their accommodations are not met, or if guidance counselors discourage them from pursuing certain careers due to their communication differences.
But this issue isn’t limited to school-aged children. President Trump has also made efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs in both the private and public sectors. This will undoubtedly affect the protection workers have against discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
Stuttering adults are no strangers to workplace discrimination. Boyle and Cheyne (2024) conducted a study using the KempQuality of Life Scale and the adapted Major Experiences of Discrimination Scale with 303 stuttering adults. They found that 56% had experienced at least one episode of major discrimination at work.
If implemented effectively, DEIA programs could give stuttering adults the opportunity to be considered for jobs they might otherwise be overlooked for. While no court has ruled that DEIA programs are illegal, companies, schools, and institutions are facing increasing pressure to withdraw from these important programs that promote equal opportunity in the workforce.
It’s important now more than ever for schools, companies, and institutions to dig their heels in and protect the rights of all marginalized groups. This will ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.
References
American Civil Liberties Union. (2020, September 22). Trump’s executive orders rolling back DEI and accessibility efforts, explained. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/trumps-executive-orders-rolling-back-dei-and-accessibility-efforts-explained
U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). OCR fact sheet: Stuttering. U.S. Department of Education.https://www.ed.gov/media/document/ocr-factsheet-stuttering-108825.pdf
Boyle, M., & Cheyne, H. (2024). Stuttering and discrimination in the workplace: A study of major experiences. Journal of Speech and Language, 67(2), 123-135.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094730X24000159
Understood. (2022, March 30). Department of Education closes IEPs. Understood.https://www.understood.org/en/articles/department-of-education-closes-ieps
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Hello! My name is Joe. I am 27 years old. I live in Colorado with my wife and cat. I love traveling, sports, and spending time with family. I am also a speech-language pathologist for the local public school district. I hope you enjoy my page!
