News & Updates

Make a Plan to Vote: Arizona’s 2026 General Election

September 10, 2026

Make a Plan to Vote: Arizona’s 2026 General Election

Arizona’s General Election is Nov. 3, and the deadline to register to vote is approaching. Whether you plan to vote early, by mail or in…

August 27, 2026

Arizona’s ESA Ballot Measures Are Off the November Ballot: Where Things Stand

Arizona voters will not decide two proposed changes to the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program this November. Proposition 212 and Proposition 145, two ESA-related…

August 27, 2026

When Every Minute Matters: What Arizona Families Should Know About Autism and Missing Person Alerts

When an autistic loved one wanders, knowing what to do can make a critical difference. Arizona already has a statewide SAFE Alert for qualifying missing…

August 25, 2026

When Inclusion Gets Hard, We Cannot Walk Away From It

Recent federal actions are raising important questions about the future of disability rights and community inclusion. Encircle Families Executive Director Christopher Tiffany looks at what…

August 18, 2026

When Pediatric Care Ends: Rethinking Healthcare for Adults with Disabilities

Leaving pediatric care can expose a new set of challenges for young adults with autism and I/DD. A new Arizona-based white paper examines the healthcare…

man helping young child put on red converse high tops

August 17, 2026

Arizona Audit Puts Parents as Paid Caregivers Program in the Spotlight

A new state audit raises concerns about AZ's implementation and oversight of the Parents as Paid Caregivers program. Here's what the findings mean for families…

Young woman with Down syndrome working in a supermarket scanning product codes

August 13, 2026

What Happens When States End Subminimum Wage for Workers With Disabilities?

For decades, federal law has allowed some employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage. As more states move away from this…

July 27, 2026

National Disability Independence Day: Celebrating Progress, Opportunity and Inclusion

Every year on July 26, National Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. This landmark civil rights…

July 20, 2026

Federal Disability Enforcement Continues to Shift: What Families Should Know

Recent federal actions have prompted questions about how disability laws may be interpreted and enforced. Here's what families need to know. Over the past several…

July 14, 2026

ACTION ALERT: Sign the Petition to Keep IDEA Oversight at the U.S. Department of Education

A national coalition of disability organizations has launched a petition asking the Administration and members of Congress to keep the Office of Special Education and…

July 13, 2026

Education Department Shares New Details About Special Education Transition: What Families Should Know

The federal government has released new details about its plan to move special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services. Learn what…

July 7, 2026

What Families Should Know About a National Petition Related to Special Education Oversight

Recent discussions about the future of federal oversight for special education have prompted disability organizations, parent centers, educators, and advocates across the country to share…