On behalf of Youth for Neurodiversity Inc., a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering neurodivergent youth through advocacy and policy, I request your urgent intervention in establishing a direct government communication channel for young voices like ours, especially given the recent layoffs, ongoing government shutdown since October 1, 2025, and highly polarized media communications.

Nearly 7.5 million students with learning differences of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and others rely on timely critical services overseen by OSEP and RSA. The layoffs affecting 121 employees at OSEP and RSA have left only a handful of staffers amid the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. Protections to youth guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), such as individualized education programs (IEPs),