Federal grant delays threaten disability research and services

Grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research have been postponed by several months, leaving researchers uncertain about funding.

The delays are causing anxiety among disability scholars nationwide, who fear for their jobs and the continuity of programs that support people with disabilities.

Robert Gould, a professor at University of Illinois Chicago and director of the Great Lakes ADA Center, warned that the slowdown could undo decades of work that helps individuals navigate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Great Lakes ADA Center, part of a national network that offers services such as a hotline for disability‑related assistance, may see its operations curtailed if the funding gap persists.