Children with disabilities are getting swept up in the Trump administration's crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and its push to end the Education Department, advocates say.

So far, the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) biggest contract canceled at the Department of Education involved analyzing programs for students with disabilities, and the same DEI programs President Trump is seeking to outlaw often provide accommodations for disabled students.

DEI is also sometimes presented as DEIA, with the last letter standing for accessibility.

“The whole reason students with disabilities are able to be in the classroom and get access to an equitable education is because of DEIA efforts,” said Robyn Linscott, director of education and family policy at the Arc of the United States, an advocacy group for individuals with disabilities.

“IDEA [the Individual with Disabilities in Education Act] says that students with disabilities have the right to be in an inclusive classroom to the greatest extent possible,” Linscott added, calling it "the heart" of the landmark legislation.

The latest information given by DOGE shows one of the biggest contracts cancelled at the Education Department was with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and focused on “effectiveness of transition supports for youth with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”

AIR told The Hill their group is currently evaluating the Chart My Path for Future Success program that was created to help students with disabilities prepare for future employment and independent living after high school.

A lot of the money awarded to this contract went to training staff to implement initiatives that affect more than 1,000 students with disabilities, according to the organization. Districts have lost funding........

© The Hill