Federal Budget Cuts Threaten RI Special Olympics Programs

SMITHFIELD, RI — Special Olympics Rhode Island CEO Dennis Dejesus said Wendesday that proposed federal budget cuts are "a major setback" to the organization. On Tuesday, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos faced harsh criticism after proposing a $17.6 million cut in funding to the organization in the 2020 budget, part of a $7 billion reduction in education spending.

Dejesus called the cuts "an insensitive, unconscionable" move by the federal government, but he believes the cuts will not go through

"We've faced cuts like this before and had the funding restored," Dejesus said, adding that Rhode Island is lucky to have "four champions" in Washington, DC in the state's congressional delegation.

Congressman David Cicilline released a statement Wednesday condemning the funding cuts.

"For nearly 50 years, Special Olympics has helped to remove the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. Today, more than 4.5 million athletes compete in Special Olympics throughout the world," Cicilline wrote in a letter to members of the House Appropriations Committee. "However, many Americans with intellectual disabilities continue to face significant challenges. Many continue to face restricted access to health services, are three times more likely to face bullying, and often feel isolated socially due to their disabilities. That is why federal support of organizations like Special Olympics is so critical."

According to Dejesus, Special Olympics Rhode Island receives around $150,000 in federal funding that is used for funding unified sports teams in the state's schools. These teams create an opportunity for students of all abilities to be on a team together, which Dejesus says is about more than physical activity.

"We're transforming communities and teaching respect and inclusion," he said.

READ MORE: DeVos Slammed Over Plan To Eliminate Special Olympics Funding

If the budget cuts are approved, Dejesus said Rhode Island's current programs will not likely be affected until next spring. A lot of Rhode Island's unified programs in middle and high schools are self-funded by the schools themselves, so they would be less likely to feel the impacts of the cuts. Instead, the biggest impacts will be to elementary schools, where the organization is working to build and develop new unified programs.

Rhode Island is the only state in the U.S. with unified programs in every school that has a special education program, making it a model for the rest of the country.

The official statement from Dejesus is included below.