Three months into the Trump administration, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has significantly affected the United States federal government and individuals dependent on government services. This includes people with disabilities who have faced challenges due to cuts in education programs, disruptions at the Social Security Administration (SSA), closure of digital services programs focused on accessibility, and mandatory return-to-office policies for federal workers.
Ariana Aboulafia from CDT highlights these issues in an op-ed first published in Tech Policy Press on May 12, 2025. Despite Elon Musk's announcement about stepping back from his role at DOGE, there is no sign that the agency will halt its actions. "There’s no indication that the agency will stop its crusade, regardless of the costs to everyday people," she writes.
Aboulafia leads a project in the US focusing on how technology impacts people with disabilities. She notes that DOGE's approach reflects an underlying ableist rhetoric. The department's use of technology, such as AI tools and algorithmic systems without proper oversight, has already harmed disabled individuals and is expected to continue doing so.
"I currently lead one of the only projects in the US that focuses on how technology...impacts people with disabilities," she states. Her perspective suggests that violations of data privacy and unchecked use of AI by DOGE pose ongoing risks to this community.
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