June 2024

On May 30, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the development of the Federal Evidence Agenda on Disability Equity. This RFI builds on several administration initiatives seeking to use data to inform evidence-based policies to advance equity, including the Executive Order on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and the establishment of the Equitable Data Working Group.

Responses to the RFI will inform the work of the Disability Data Interagency Working Group (DDIWG), established by the OSTP National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Equitable Data (SED). The DDIWG is asking for input on directed questions on several topics, which include describing disparities; informing data collections and public access; and privacy, security, and civil rights. Specific questions detail the types of data collections, input into potential barriers that persons with disabilities face when completing surveys or forms, value of disaggregated data, and privacy and confidentiality considerations for the collection and reporting of disability data.

AERA has provided responses to related RFIs that OSTP has advanced on equitable data: “Equitable Data Engagement and Accountability” and “Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity.” Individual AERA members who wish to respond can do so at regulations.gov by July 15. AERA members who are interested in providing feedback on specific questions to inform AERA’s response may do so by emailing govrelations@aera.net by July 8.