Story perspectives

NJ School Expands Fitness Program Amid Oregon Funding Cuts

9/14/2025

Center

Disability Programs Enhanced

Rock Brook School in Hillsborough, NJ, has expanded its summer program to include a fitness initiative with Impact Training for students with disabilities, enhancing physical health and confidence.
Parents observe improvements in their children's fitness and discipline.
In Oregon, families worry about losing federal funding for programs aiding children with disabilities, including the Oregon DeafBlind Project.
The Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) faces funding cuts, impacting over 4,000 families.
Oregon lawmakers are pushing to restore this funding.

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Asha Advocates Inclusion

Asha Shukla, a senior with Down Syndrome, and Aurelia Bergstrom, a freshman with a neurogenetic disorder, were not selected for the Madison West High School swim team, prompting concerns from families and the swim community.
Parents claim the school district did not provide necessary accommodations during tryouts, potentially violating disability protections.
Asha's father, Raj Shukla, called for increased awareness of the challenges faced by marginalized students with disabilities.
The swim community expressed support for Asha at a recent school board meeting, emphasizing inclusion and teamwork.
While there is hope for Asha and Aurelia's reinstatement, concerns remain for other students without similar support.

History

Historical Context

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 marked a pivotal moment in disability rights, mandating public schools to provide free education to children with disabilities. This legislation followed earlier milestones, such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibited discrimination in federally funded programs. Today, funding cuts threaten initiatives like the Oregon DeafBlind Project, underscoring ongoing challenges in achieving true inclusion.

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Disability Programs Enhanced

Rock Brook School in Hillsborough, NJ, has expanded its summer program to include a fitness initiative with Impact Training for students with disabilities, enhancing physical health and confidence.
Parents observe improvements in their children's fitness and discipline.
In Oregon, families worry about losing federal funding for programs aiding children with disabilities, including the Oregon DeafBlind Project.
The Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) faces funding cuts, impacting over 4,000 families.
Oregon lawmakers are pushing to restore this funding.

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