ABLE NH

10/20/2025

We’re grateful that Senator Hassan lifted up what we all know: cuts to special education are catastrophic. Three ABLE NH members were at today’s conversation — but she needs to hear from all of us. And so do our other NH representatives.

Every student deserves the right support to learn and thrive. These cuts put that promise at risk.

🟢 Join our Rapid Response Campaign and make your voice heard: Protect Special Education

https://fastdemocracy.com/campaigns/0R35OdJaN/Take-Action--Protect-Special-Education-Rights/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNjcuJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEMWtmaXVNdnZUUnJQZFlRAR6GbNVGx22LortiQxZH9EAP7Y7B4W2ZQBdG0Lo6bLTVvYq4T7d05TsuhQ12RA_aem_lz6xN-f65AoCa4UqLp6ywg

Ensuring that every child gets a great public education is critical for future success – which is why the Administration’s cuts to special education supports are catastrophic. I was grateful to hear from New Hampshire families and leaders working to support students with disabilities today.

10/20/2025

🎃 No Tricks, Just Rights! 🕸️

🦇 On October 27th, 3:30-4:30 PM, we're gathering at the NH State House lawn in Concord for a Halloween rally to defend special education and vocational rehabilitation.

Bring your costumes, your voice, and your stories.
Together we'll lift up the Great Pumpkin of Inclusion and demand our leaders stop the cuts and fund our future.

👉 RSVP + take action here:
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/
j1cPjpxQ0exORjeXCXv_Cg

10/18/2025

Advocacy in Action!

The new all-accessible Monkey Around Playground opened on Oct. 17 in Concord, providing a space for children of all abilities to play and enjoy.

10/16/2025

Take Action: Protect Special Education Right!
Use the Fast Democracy link: https://fastdemocracy.com/campaigns/0R35OdJaN/Take-Action--Protect-Special-Education-Rights

📣 Call to Action: Protect Special Education Rights Our community needs to act now. The federal office that makes sure students with disabilities get the services they are promised, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), has lost almost all of its staff. Without staff, the law still exists on paper, but no one is left to enforce it.

This is not a small issue.
OSERS makes sure schools follow the law, provides support to parents, trains teachers, and runs programs like Vocational Rehabilitation that help young people with disabilities find jobs and build futures. If this office is hollowed out, who will stand up for our rights? Can we trust New Hampshire to step up? Our courts have already said that NH underfunds special education and must do better. But the legislature has dragged its feet.

Some NH lawmakers openly say children with disabilities should not get what they need if it "costs too much." At an Epsom School Board meeting in September, Rep. Dan McGuire said:"If you have a kid who is incapable of learning to read...should you be spending $200K a year trying to make them read?" This shows us clearly: without federal enforcement, can we trust NH to protect all students?

‼️ What's at stake
IDEA, the special education law, still exists but with no one to enforce it, it's an empty promise.
Families will be left alone to fight for their kids.
Teachers will be asked to do more with fewer resources.
Students will lose chances to learn, grow, and work toward independence.

Our demands
-Restore staff to OSERS immediately. Students need real enforcement of IDEA, not empty words.
-Make sure Congress defends disability rights. No more cuts.
-Hold NH accountable. The state must meet court orders and fully fund special education.

🚨 What you can do right now
Send a message: Use the FastDemocracy link to contact Senators Hassan and Shaheen, and Representatives Pappas and Goodlander. Tell them to fight to restore staff at OSERS and protect IDEA.

🗣️Spread the word: Share this action in your schools, groups, and networks.

10/16/2025

The Advocate NH Conference is TOMORROW! Join us at the UNH Memorial Union Building in the Granite State Room for a full day of fun programming and exciting presentations on a variety of advocacy topics! Doors open at 8:30 AM. Walk-ins are welcome!

Due to scheduling conflicts, we have had to make adjustments to our conference agenda. Please see the second slide for the updated event schedule. Parking details can be found on the third slide, and a map of the UNH campus and MUB floor plan can be found on slides 4 and 5, respectively.

10/15/2025

10/15/2025

ABLE NH Transportation Equity Lunch & Learn Series- ABLE NH’s Transportation Equity Task Force will host its monthly Lunch & Learn on October 24th, 12:00-1:00 PM.

If you have ever wondered about the process for arranging Medicaid rides to appointments or requesting friends and family reimbursement, you will want to take this rare opportunity to meet the folks at your Medicaid provider who oversee programs that get you there. We will welcome featured speakers Catrina Rantala, Provider Relations Manager from DHHS, representatives from WellSense, NH Healthy Families, AmeriHealth Caritas, and NH Adult Dental Medicaid, and representatives from MTM and CTS, the organizations that process trip requests.

Our presentation will be followed by a time for Q&A and attendees will receive a one-pager on the most important things to know when requesting a ride or reimbursement.

Participants may join on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84389460204 or by using Meeting ID 843 8946 0204.

For those who need one, a calendar invite can be copied from the ABLE NH Community Calendar at https://ablenh.org/events/

10/15/2025

Register online at: ablenh.org/nf-november25/ You must register to receive the Zoom link and calendar invitation to this event.

Join ABLE NH and New Futures for an upcoming virtual training on Monday, November 3. This session will train advocates on how to engage with legislators in challenging advocacy situations, This is a FREE event for people with disabilities, caregivers, and allies.

Please reach out to Creighton (creighton@ablenh.org) with any questions or comments related to this event.

10/14/2025

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has been dismantled in a wave of RIF cuts. What it means for IEP rights & how to protect your child’s education.