Re: “Federal funding cuts planned for WA deafblind program” (Sept. 13, Education Lab):
The cruelty of the current presidential administration knows no bounds. I was heartbroken to read that the Trump administration, in the name of opposing diversity, equity and inclusion programs, has stripped $200,000 in federal funding from a Washington program that provides invaluable support to children with profound visual and hearing impairments.
These are little kids and their families in critical need of specialized services and expertise, without which these children will never achieve the possibility of “equity” in the workforce and “inclusion” in the broader community. There appears to be only gratitude from the families receiving these services and no reported complaints regarding the staff and expert assistance provided.
Yet, the federal government is cutting funding because the Washington State School for the Blind has a policy of recruiting “culturally, racially and ethnically diverse managers and leaders,” which is “in conflict with agency (U.S. Department of Education) policy and priorities, and so is not in the best interest of the Federal Government.”
Is this not outrageous? When is enough enough?
Thomas Heller, MD, MPH, Seattle
