In Joint Finance Committee meetings last week, lawmakers voted in favor of a pay increase for state workers and contracted disability support professionals. With an increase in revenue, the committee was also able to allot more resources for special education students in kindergarten to third grade.
A lawsuit filed by two state civil rights groups demands more funding provided to schools with large numbers of low-income students, students with disabilities receiving special education services and English language learners. The groups state that schools currently cannot hire specialists to help these populations.
Bank of America is partnering with Special Olympics Delaware to launch the “Better Money Habits” pilot program to help empower individuals with disabilities. Special Olympics Delaware will train volunteers to teach lesson plans on financial topics such as the importance of money and how to save effectively.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated the approval process for medication designed to address the core symptoms of autism. A small clinical trial found lowered irritability, hyperactivity and anxiety, along with improvements in communication among patients. The pharmaceutical company is running additional clinical trials.
With an increasing number of flight injuries and confrontations regarding emotional support animals, two bills have been proposed to tighten rules so that only service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act can fly uncaged in cabins.
