RFK Jr. Claimed Autism ‘Destroys’ Lives. Autistic People Disagree
I’m Raul Krauthausen the founder of SOZIALHELD*INNEN, an NPO and consultancy from Germany, focussing on Disability Mainstreaming. With this newsletter, I share hand-picked links from around the world.
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Thank you,
Raul
Hand-picked news about inclusion, accessibilty and innovation
RFK Jr. Claimed Autism ‘Destroys’ Lives. Autistic People Disagree. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
People in the community called the remarks dehumanizing and warned they could perpetuate harmful stigma.
Scots with disabilities & health conditions urged to apply for £5,740 (ablemagazine.co.uk)
Scots with disabilities and health conditions are being urged to check if they’re eligible for financial support worth up to £5,740 a year. The advice comes from the UK’s largest community of unpai…
How did we get from Human Rights Watch to fear of AI? (sirrobinmillar.substack.com)
… Where will it end?
(1) Paralympic Legends: Amanda McGrory on Sharon Hedrick's Historic Nomination - YouTube (youtube.com)
Join us as we sit down with Amanda McGrory, the Olympic/Paralympic Archivist and Curator, to discuss the historic hall of fame nomination of wheelchair athle...
More than two dozen students with hearing loss shared popcorn and stories at a Fargo movie day hosted by the Area Special Education Cooperative.
Doctors for America Denounces Mass Layoffs at the CDC (doctorsforamerica.org)
Doctors for America strongly denounces the mass layoffs across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies and the extreme detriment that these layoffs will have on public health.
History Repeats? Faced With Medicaid Cuts, States Reduced Support For Older Adults And Disabled People | Health Affairs (healthaffairs.org)
Cutting federal Medicaid spending would have such negative consequences on older adults and people with disabilities because reductions in Federal reimbursements to states would leave states with tough choices: use more state dollars to pay for Medicaid (hard to do if the use of provider taxes is eliminated or severely cut), or cut Medicaid spending.
Texas ‘Mask Blocs’ Struggle to Fill COVID-19 Health Gaps as Federal and State Attacks Ramp Up – Deceleration (deceleration.news)
Volunteer- and anarchist-led groups are working overtime to keep their communities safe from COVID-19 even as Texas lawmakers debate a ban on masks and a warming planet promises more pandemics on the way.
Hundreds gather for first-ever Deaf Eucharistic Congress | Catholic News Agency (catholicnewsagency.com)
Held at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, April 4–6, the congress brought together more than 200 Catholics.
The State Department is changing its mind about human rights : NPR (npr.org)
The agency's annual human rights reports are being purged of references to prison conditions, political corruption and other abuses.
'Out Of My Mind' Duo Hopes Movie Helps To Normalize Disability (deadline.com)
Out of My Mind director Amber Sealey hopes to show people can talk to those with disabilities, even if that person will respond in a different way.
How American Sign Language Connects People | Duke Today (today.duke.edu)
White House puts up 'Lab Leak’ page on COVID origins : Shots - Health News : NPR (npr.org)
The new page emphatically promotes a theory that many scientists question. Meanwhile, basic information about COVID testing and vaccines has disappeared.
Deportation Fears Add to Mental Health Problems Confronting Colorado Resort Town Workers - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
The Latino communities who make up significant proportions of year-round populations in Colorado’s mountain towns already experience heightened mental health concerns. Now, deportation fears are increasing their stress.
MN lawmakers weigh funding to address rural cancer care disparity | KAXE (kaxe.org)
FDA making plans to end its routine food safety inspections, sources say - CBS News (cbsnews.com)
Food safety inspections would be left to state and local authorities under the plan being developed by the FDA.
CDC report: Autism rate rises to 1 in 31 children; authors attribute increase to better understanding, more screening | AAP News | American Academy of Pediatrics (publications.aap.org)
The rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder continues to increase, which researchers attribute to better understanding of the disorder and increased screening.
Covid Worsened Shortages of Doctors and Nurses. Five Years On, Rural Hospitals Still Struggle. - California Healthline (californiahealthline.org)
The U.S. faces a crucial shortage of medical providers, especially in rural areas. The problem has been building for a while, experts say, but the pandemic accelerated it by pushing many doctors over the edge into early retirement or other fields.
'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore' Release Date Set By Kino Lorber (deadline.com)
Doc 'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore' has been acquired by Kino Lorber for release in June.
Data released by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shows four pediatric influenza-related deaths this season, with two of them happening in the past week.
Activists pile coffins outside State Department to protest PEPFAR cuts (19thnews.org)
Cuts to PEPFAR, the country’s emergency plan for HIV and AIDS relief, have resulted in an estimated 40,000 deaths overseas, analysis shows.
Measles cases in 25 US jurisdictions rise to 800 in 2025, CDC says | Reuters (reuters.com)
Measles cases rose to a total of 800 patients so far in 2025 as of Thursday in 25 U.S. jurisdictions, including Texas and New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday, up from 712 cases reported as of April 10.
Congress must save the Administration for Community Living | STAT (statnews.com)
ACL is a lean agency that supports older and disabled Americans through coordination and collaboration. It is the definition of efficiency.
What it is like to live with Parkinson's Disease (bbc.com)
Three people diagnosed with the condition have shared what it feels like to live a day in their shoes.
AI double-checking Allina doctors on cancer screenings (startribune.com)
Minneapolis health system contracts with California company to ensure accuracy, overcome bias in first-gen AI tools.
Finding COVID-conscious Community – Rooted in Rights (rootedinrights.org)
DISCLAIMER: This post is neither sponsored nor an ad. There are many reasons why some folks never went “back to normal” in the years following 2020. Some of us are immunocompromised, have Long COVI…
Congress must save the Administration for Community Living | STAT (statnews.com)
ACL is a lean agency that supports older and disabled Americans through coordination and collaboration. It is the definition of efficiency.
What it is like to live with Parkinson's Disease (bbc.com)
Three people diagnosed with the condition have shared what it feels like to live a day in their shoes.
A "Profound Autism" Category Is Segregation—Not Progress (thinkingautismguide.com)
RFK Jr. went full "useless eaters" on autistics—& Profound Autism parents are thrilled. Here's why "profound autism" is harmful, not helpful.
Measles cases in 25 US jurisdictions rise to 800 in 2025, CDC says | Reuters (reuters.com)
Measles cases rose to a total of 800 patients so far in 2025 as of Thursday in 25 U.S. jurisdictions, including Texas and New Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday, up from 712 cases reported as of April 10.
Deaf voter in Burnaby, B.C., highlights inaccessibility for voting in person | CBC News (cbc.ca)
A deaf voter who recently moved to Burnaby, B.C., says Elections Canada should do more to accommodate those who need interpreters to cast their vote in person.
SAVE Our Right to Mask. Stop Mask Bans. - Action Network (actionnetwork.org)
Masking = Love and Community Care. Mask Bans won’t stop crime. Instead, mask bans will greatly harm our country’s infection control against contagious diseases! Mask Bans are disability injustice, discrimination and violation of human rights. We need a law to SAVE OUR RIGHT TO MASK! Write to U.S. officials to ask them to prohibit mask banning and provide mitigation tools instead. #StopMaskBans
Treatment leaders ask Minnesota to boost Medicaid reimbursement (minnpost.com)
Bills before the Minnesota Legislature seek increases in Medicaid reimbursements for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Building Access Workshop – Orange - People with Disability Australia (pwd.org.au)
Free Building Access Workshop and Networking People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is excited to offer a free full-day workshop for domestic and family violence (DFV) services across Illawarra and Shoalhaven to improve accessibility and inclusion for women and children with disability. The training is delivered by a team of women with disability, bringing lived experience
Countries finalize historic pandemic agreement after three years of negotiations | UN News (news.un.org)
In the early hours of Wednesday morning in Geneva, countries finalized a draft global agreement aimed at improving how the world prepares for and responds to pandemics, marking a historic step that will be submitted to the World Health Assembly in May for adoption.
Service dogs help children with autism, research proves - Canine Companions (canine.org)
New research from the University of Arizona proves that service dogs can be life-changing for children with autism. Read more.
APPLY by April 16: Reporting on Workplace Mental Health Journalism Fellowship - National Press Foundation | NPF (nationalpress.org)
This National Press Foundation fellowship will train journalists on mental health issues, treatments and advances at work, May 21-22, 2025 in D.C.
Parents frustrated about cuts at Arizona State School for Deaf and Blind (kold.com)
Several parents with students at the Arizona State for the Deaf and Blind told 13 News about their concerns over programs ending due to budget cuts.
MN addiction, mental health providers scramble amid federal cuts (startribune.com)
School-based substance abuse services and other programs are being cut after $27.5 million was rescinded. Providers hope a court battle will restore the grants.
Three firms of solicitors working with disabled people on possible benefit cuts legal cases – Disability News Service (disabilitynewsservice.com)
At least three legal firms are examining ways in which they could support disabled people and their organisations to challenge some of the government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits in the c…
Marijuana hospital visits linked to dementia diagnosis within 5 years, study finds | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
A large analysis found those who visit an emergency room due to marijuana have up to a 72% higher risk of dementia within five years than the general population.
ADHD is big on TikTok. You can find community, but also misleading advice : NPR (npr.org)
TikTok has become the go-to source on ADHD for teens and young adults. But a new study finds that a lot of the information is misleading and can make people's symptoms worse.
On Autism, It’s the Secretary’s Word vs. the CDC’s - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
Tensions between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his employees at the Department of Health and Human Services are mounting, as he made a series of claims about autism this week — contradicting his agency’s findings. Plus, President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order to lower drug prices as his administration explores tariffs that could raise them. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Plus, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews two University of California-San Francisco researchers about an upcoming Supreme Court case that could have major ramifications for preventive care.
Become a Volunteer Puppy Raiser - Canine Companions (canine.org)
Volunteer puppy raisers provide puppies a safe home and healthy diet, take them to obedience classes and provide socialization opportunities.
At ArtsEmerson, a new show offers satire with a mission | WBUR News (wbur.org)
Disability-led theater company FlawBored's "It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure" follows a nondisabled influencer who pretends to be blind and receives backlash. Theater critic Jacquinn Sinclair calls the show a "sharp offering."
UToledo Updates Academic Portfolio Through Prioritization Process | UToledo News (news.utoledo.edu)
UToledo will suspend admissions to several academic programs in compliance with Senate Bill 1 and the provost's review of recommendations from a Program Reallocation and Investment Committee.
Cancer death rates declining, new report says, but diagnosis rates are on the rise for women | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
A new report on cancer in the US shows a steady decline in overall deaths from 2001 through 2022. The rate of diagnoses among men fell from 2001 through 2013 and then stabilized through 2021 but these incidence rates among women increased slightly every year between 2003 and 2021.
HIV medications were supposed to be exempt from U.S. aid cuts. In Zambia, for example, those on the ground say otherwise.
Republicans are targeting a pillar of Obamacare. Millions of their own voters may pay a price | CNN Politics (edition.cnn.com)
As the pressure grows on Congressional Republicans to identify cuts in Medicaid, they are crashing into a familiar problem: The changes that could save the most money would impose heavy costs on many of their own voters.
RFK Jr.'s comments on autism spark outrage among researchers : NPR (npr.org)
HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy's comments on autism have sparked outrage. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Colin Killick, director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, for his reaction.
Supreme Court could help preserve Obamacare’s no-cost preventive care task force | CNN Politics (edition.cnn.com)
The Supreme Court on Monday signaled it may uphold a task force that recommends which preventive health care services Obamacare requires to be covered at no-cost, with several conservative justices voicing skepticism about a challenge that is based on how members of the panel are appointed.
NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship - AAPD (aapd.com)
Thanks to a generous contribution from NBCUniversal, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud to announce the recipients for the 2023 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship. Applications for 2024 will open soon.
Potential Medicaid cuts put Minnesota health leaders on edge | MPR News (mprnews.org)
Republicans in Washington are working on slashing the federal budget to help pay for a slate of tax breaks. State lawmakers know it could mean a health care funding hole, but they don’t know how much they’ll have to backfill.
Your rights at TSA in a wheelchair: Making airport security easier - The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com)
Wooden canes and passenger support specialists are available to help travelers with limited mobility.
Workers who track data on car crashes, drownings, traumatic brain injury, falls in the elderly, and other perils lost their jobs. Advocates worry life-saving work will stop.
NIH moving to ban grants to universities with DEI programs, Israeli boycotts | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
The National Institutes of Health says it will pull medical research funding from universities with diversity and inclusion programs and any boycotts of Israeli companies, according to a policy note issued Monday.
Liliana Valvano Talk CSI Psychology Colloquium Spring 2025 - YouTube (youtube.com)
The tech giving people power to deal with disability (bbc.com)
About a billion people in the world are disabled in some way, but technology is helping them contribute more in the workplace and enjoy better lives.
Amazon.com: Disability in Comic Books and Graphic Narratives (amazon.com)
Disability in Comic Books and Graphic Narratives invites readers to consider both canonical and alternative graphic representations of disability. Some chapters focus on comic superheroes, from lesser-known protagonists like Cyborg and Helen Killer to classics such as Batgirl and Batman; many more explore the amazing range of graphic narratives revolving around disability, covering famous names such as Alison Bechdel and Chris Ware, as well as less familiar artists like Keiko Tobe and Georgia Webber. The volume also offers a broad spectrum of represented disabilities: amputation, autism, blindness, deafness, depression, Huntington's, multiple sclerosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, speech impairment, and spinal injury. A number of the essays collected here show how comics continue to implicate themselves in the objectification and marginalization of persons with disabilities, perpetuating stale stereotypes and stigmas. At the same time, others stress how this medium simultaneously offers unique potential for transforming our understanding of disability in truly profound ways.
Reframing The Myth - Illustrating So Much More Than Impairment (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
Anyone who reads my column here in the Huff knows I regularly sing the praises of the Disability Arts Scene. I feel it is a place where art surpasses any constraints of impairment and explodes any stereotypes of disability with creativity and output that challenges the mainstream art world to achieve anywhere near it's standard.
CDC report: Autism rate rises to 1 in 31 children; authors attribute increase to better understanding, more screening (publications.aap.org)
The rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder continues to increase, which researchers attribute to better understanding of the disorder and increased screening.
Why women experience Alzheimer’s disease differently from men (nature.com)
Nature - Sex and gender research could lead to better, more equitable treatments — if it is allowed to continue without political interference.
Trump Admin Cuts Halt Medical Research, Deaf Ed Training (insidehighered.com)
The federal government says it has cut or frozen billions of dollars’ worth of grants and contracts to high-profile universities, ending potentially lifesaving studies and critically needed training, according to the researchers.
Call for Nominations for the 2025 Corinne Kirchner Research Award (afb.org)
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) established the Corinne Kirchner Research Award in 2007 to honor the organization's longtime staff member, Corinne Kirchner, Ph.D. Dr. Kirchner’s groundbreaking research set the benchmark against which much of the subsequent research in the field has been compared. Her tireless pursuit of excellence in research led AFB and the blindness field at large to a higher level of expectation concerning the investigation of demographic data, analysis of outcomes in program and service delivery, and scientific examination of socio-ecological trends in the population of people who are blind or have low vision.
New dashboard created to track federal funding cuts impacting Minnesota (wdio.com)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a new online dashboard to track disruptions and cancelations of federal funds and their impact on services available to Minnesotans.
Steve Asbell (steveasbell.com)
I've been drawing since childhood, spending far more time with my colored pencils than with other kids. I've been writing, blogging and illustrating professionally since 2009 and have even become a published garden author, but never had the courage to pursue children's book writing and illustration until my son was born. Parenthood can do crazy things to your confidence and priorities.
Ithaca College to lay off sign language professors (607newsnow.com)
Professors in the deaf studies program at Ithaca College will be laid off after the upcoming fall semester.
They Took Sledgehammers to Sidewalks – Here’s Why (youtube.com)
Curb cuts—those small ramps at the edge of sidewalks—are now a standard part of city design, but they didn’t exist until disability rights advocates demanded them. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, students with disabilities at the University of California, Berkeley began organizing for better access to public spaces. They pushed for changes to the built environment and, in some cases, took to the streets—using sledgehammers to create their own curb cuts or chaining themselves to buses. They chanted "access is a civil right!" at sit-ins and brought attention to an issue that had been long overlooked, making our shared spaces more accessible for all. Today, curb cuts not only support people with disabilities but also benefit parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, cyclists, and delivery workers—proving that inclusive design helps everyone.
Actor Michelle Trachtenberg died of diabetes complications, medical examiner says (washingtonpost.com)
Michelle Trachtenberg, who starred in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” died of diabetes complications at age 39, the medical examiner said.
Subtitling Your Life (newyorker.com)
Hearing aids and cochlear implants have been getting better for years, but a new type of device—eyeglasses that display real-time speech transcription on their lenses—are a game-changing breakthrough.
A Closed and Common Orbit (bookshop.org)
Embark on an exciting, adventurous, and dangerous journey through the galaxy with the motley crew of the spaceship Wayfarer in this fun and heart-warming space opera—the sequel to the acclaimed The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
Where are you going? Where have you been?: Accessibility Self-Assessment in Your Organization (youtube.com)
Self-assessment of programming, facilities, and services is a critical step for any organization seeking to be more accessible. Identifying the accessibility needs of your organization can sometimes feel like a daunting task, and it can be difficult to know where to start. As such, Open Door Arts has developed a comprehensive self-assessment tool for cultural institutions at all levels of the accessibility journey. Partners from cultural institutions and ADA experts collaborated on creating the tool with disability voices centered in the work. Join us and representatives from Open Door Arts to gain insights on how your organization can use this assessment as a guide for future initiatives and learn perspectives from organizations that have used the tool themselves.
“Wake Up and Smell the C*VID: An evening without Eric Bogosian”: new play takes aim at NYC mask ban and more (thecanary.co)
“Wake Up and Smell the C*VID: An evening without Eric Bogosian”: new play takes aim at NYC mask ban and more from Canary on 31 March 2025
Gov. Hochul is pushing a last-minute mask ban in state budget talks (gothamist.com)
The governor has expressed support for restrictions in protest settings, while many protesters say they need to conceal their identities to avoid retribution.
Disability Arts Festival (alysstephens.org)
UAB Center for the Arts will host a Disability Arts Festival from March to May 2025. In partnership with local and state organizations serving the disability community, the festival will feature exhibitions, performances, artist talks, panel discussions, and other programs with the following goals:
The Remote Access Archive (trailer) (youtube.com)
This video provides an introduction to the Remote Access Archive, a project of the Critical Design Lab.
Participatory grantmaking & spiderman - lessons from the disability justice fund (trustforlondon.org.uk)
We tackle poverty and inequality in London
Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World (bookshop.org)
A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World
Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice (passemuraille.ca)
A Joe Jack & John Production Co-Presented by Theatre Passe Muraille & Théâtre français de Toronto
Sent to school that uses electric shocks, Mass. woman runs for office to protect others (masslive.com)
A Massachusetts woman found out DCF was sending a child to her old school, known for using electric shock devices. Now, she's running to join the school committee to protect others.
In first post-presidency speech, Biden calls to treat disabled people with dignity (motherjones.com)
“Fewer than 100 days into this new administration, they have done so much damage and destruction.”
Arts and Culture Accessibility Resource Center (artsaccessresources.org)
This free, comprehensive, fully electronic tool was created specifically to help arts and cultural organizations understand and improve their accessibility. The Self-Assessment is disability centered and balances best practice with compliance. It is filled with resources to learn throughout the process and gives you the tools you need to grow. First, you'll assess your organization's accessibility in 5 key areas: Organizational Approach, Space, Access Services, Communication and Programming. Next, you'll be provided with a customized report filled with clear data and numeric scores to help you understand your strengths and areas for improvement. Finally, you'll receive step-by-step guidance and templates to create your own Accessibility Plan that transforms learning into action. Below, you can access the Self-Assessment as well as other resources to help you through the process!
COVID-19 Memorials - Naming the Lost Memorials (ntlm.org)
A five-year public art project honoring those who died from COVID-19
Reimagining Disability in Gaza (chisenhale.org.uk)
Deadline for proposals: Friday 2 May, 5pm GMT
All This Safety Is Killing Us (penguinrandomhouse.com)
A multi-discipline, multimedia guide to abolition through the lens of healthcare and medicine – featuring writings and artwork from 10+ incarcerated and post-detention activists
Exposure to pollution linked to increased risk of pediatric thyroid cancer (disabilityinsider.com)
A new study led by researchers at Yale University suggests that early-life exposure to two widespread environmental pollutants— small particle air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night—could increase the risk of pediatric thyroid cancer.
Celebrating 5 Years of Mi-Spend (criplife.co.uk)
Over the past five years, Mi-Spend has been transforming how people with learning disabilities, autism, and dementia access and manage their everyday spending.
Tag, you’re it (yatil.net)
When I started blogging two decades ago it was just to share thoughts and interesting posts. I had websites before, but being able to react very immediately to things was intriguing.
It's Hard to Wait for Someone You Love: What to Do? (urevolution.com)
Struggling to wait for someone who isn’t ready? Learn how to wait with self-respect, spot red flags, and decide if the relationship is truly worth it.
Children with Autism: What We Know (kit.org)
Explore five key lessons we have learned about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for children and youth with autism.
Tips for booking wheelchair accessible accommodation (havewheelchairwilltravel.net)
Over the years we've seen the best & some of the worst accommodation so we're sharing tips for booking wheelchair accessible accommodation.
Empowering Independence: The Importance of Control Options in Products for People with Disabilities (davebanesaccess.medium.com)
Without the right tools, even the most routine daily tasks can be challenging for individuals living with physical disabilities. Assistive technologies, such as those developed by HomeBrace, offer access and independence, allowing users to control their mobility, communication, and environment.
My Son Has a Rare Syndrome. So I Turned to the Internet. (nytimes.com)
Social media became a place of both solace and torment. How much was mine to share?
Insomnia and sleep medication use connected to disability in older people (disabilityinsider.com)
Insomnia is a significant health and quality of life concern for older adults, with up to half of all adults over the age of 65 experiencing insomnia symptoms. In a new study, researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development and at Taipei Medical University analyzed five years of data from older adults in the United States. They found higher levels of both insomnia symptoms and sleep medication use were associated with higher risk of disability a year later.
When Natural Disasters Hit, People With Disabilities Feel Them ‘First and Worst’ (nytimes.com)
Having a plan in case you need to evacuate or lose power is essential. Here’s how to make one.
Pensioner with severe learning disabilities could face eviction over care costs dispute (theguardian.com)
Hugh Kirsch’s case one of wave of evictions of vulnerable residents caused by crisis in adult social care funding
How to Adopt Multidisciplinary Approaches for Disability Support (disabilityhorizons.com)
Learn how multidisciplinary teams – including doctors, therapists, educators, and social workers – can work together to give better support to disabled people. Discover practical tools, real-life examples, and expert insights.
‘The whole policy is wrong’: rebellion among Labour MPs grows over £5bn benefits cut (theguardian.com)
Dozens of MPs are angry at their party, despite frantic efforts by whips and government ministers to assuage them
I’ve seen the future RFK Jr. says isn’t possible (9zv0r.r.a.d.sendibm1.com)
My career in special education started in 2001 as a behavior therapist for young children on the autism spectrum. I was fresh out of college with a BA in Psychology, saving up for grad school, when I joined the Verdugo Hills Autism Project. My job was to provide in-home and school-based therapy. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had a knack for teaching—and more importantly, that I loved it.
Leading Autism Organizations Release Joint Statement on Upholding Scientific Integrity and Supporting the Autism Community (autisticadvocacy.org)
As national organizations dedicated to advancing the well-being of Autistic individuals, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, The Arc of the United States, Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network, Autistic People of Color Fund, and partners across the disability and public health sectors stand united in our call for science-based decision-making and increased investment in the research, programs and services the Autism community needs to live fully.
RFK Jr.'s Obsession With Autism Is A 'Dangerous' Form Of Ableism. Here's Why. (huffpost.com)
News that autistic people can't pay taxes is news to autistic people who paid taxes Tuesday.
‘I’d named my autistic son in my will – I didn’t realise that would only cause problems’ (theguardian.com)
In this extract from her book, Rhiannon Gogh, whose son is autistic, says parents often aren’t aware specialist planning is needed if you leave money to a vulnerable dependant
How to Prioritize Backlog Video Content for EAA Compliance (3playmedia.com)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has set a deadline of 2030 for audiovisual media services to ensure their backlog video content is compliant. This means that any existing video content that doesn’t meet accessibility standards must be updated or replaced by the deadline.
Experts Offer Ideas to Ensure AI Is Disability-Inclusive (educatingalllearners.org)
A report from the Center for Democracy and Technology provides suggestions for government in building an inclusive artificial intelligence ecosystem, to help ensure its tools serve people equitably.
Can We Ask a Disabled Woman to Leave Our Pickleball Group? (nytimes.com)
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on whether to exclude a player who can’t keep up.
$40 Million Cut Threatens SCI Recovery Research (newmobility.com)
After Congress passed the funding bill for the 2025 federal budget, Matthew Rodreick’s voice was tinged with anger and fear as he expressed his concern about the future of spinal cord injury research funding.
Inclusion Self-Assessment for Teachers (theinclusiveclass.com)
This brief self-assessment is designed to help educators reflect on their inclusive practices and mindset in the classroom. Rate yourself honestly on each question using the scale provided. This assessment is for personal growth and reflection purposes.
10 Years Later… and Still Talking Inclusion! (theinclusiveclass.com)
An education blog with strategies, tips and information for teachers about teaching students with disabilities in the inclusive classroom.
How to Build a Social Support Network with a Disability (urevolution.com)
Learn how to build a strong social support network when you have a disability. Get real-life tips on finding connection, advocacy, and community.
Tech Risks: Why Backdoor Attacks are a Growing Concern for Disabled Users (disabilityhorizons.com)
Backdoor attacks pose real risks to disabled people relying on assistive tech. Learn how to spot vulnerabilities and protect against cybersecurity threats.
How Disabled People Can Make Money on YouTube and TikTok Using CapCut’s Accessible Tools (disabilityhorizons.com)
Through digital platforms such as CapCut, disabled creators gain access to new opportunities in creative careers because these platforms have removed creative career barriers. The built-in accessible features, such as voice commands and simple interfaces, along with cloud tools, allow users to create content regardless of equipment needs or time constraints. Digital tools provide flexibility that enables remote work opportunities for people who have health problems combined with mobility considerations.
RFK Jr. Claimed Autism ‘Destroys’ Lives. Autistic People Disagree. (nytimes.com)
People in the community called the remarks dehumanizing and warned they could perpetuate harmful stigma.
Video Autism advocate on RFK Jr.’s promised autism study (abcnews.go.com)
Colin Killick, executive director of the Autism Self Advocacy Network, joins ABC News Live to discuss how HHS Secretary RFK Jr.’s comments about autistic people impact the community.
‘I’m still sick. I’m still disabled. But I’m proud of my body’: Frances Ryan’s manifesto for disabled women (theguardian.com)
Women with disabilities are the biggest minority group in the world, but are still shut out of society. In an extract from her new book, the writer reveals how that is changing – and what more needs to be done
Blue Badge Access Awards (bluebadgeaccessawards.com)
The Blue Badge Access Awards 2024/25, set the Gold Standard for Access in the wider hospitality sector, is on the hunt for the very best in accessibility for the disabled guest, and aims to reward hotels, restaurants, leisure and tourism venues and people that are getting ‘accessibility with style’ right.
ALS drug effectively treats Alzheimer's disease in new animal study (sciencedaily.com)
Experimental drug NU-9 -- a small molecule compound approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical trials for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- improves neuron health in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
RFK Jr.: 'Autism Epidemic' Will be Solved Within Months (mediaite.com)
At a televised Trump cabinet meeting, Kennedy said he was working tirelessly to tackle the issue – one he has controversially commented on for decades.
Oregon businesses accuse Tennessee lawyers of filing thousands of fake ADA complaints | Courthouse News Service (courthousenews.com)
Oregon business owners say the law firms paid disabled people $200 to visit small businesses and file false ADA complaints.
RFK Jr.’s Autism Investigation Offers Americans ‘False Hope’ (thebulwark.com)
Plus: Failing at the ballot box is the fastest way to a promotion.
Federal Court of Appeal Affirms Accessibility Measures in Air Travel - Lerners (lerners.ca)
In 2016, Timothy Rose was unable to board an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Cleveland because the aircraft could not accommodate his power wheelchair.
RFK Jr.'s comments on autism spark backlash from researchers, families - CBS New York (cbsnews.com)
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is putting the spotlight on autism, but many researchers and people in the autism community wholeheartedly disagree with what he has to say. CBS News New York's Lisa Rozner reports.
American Airlines Faces Backlash for Mishandling Wheelchair of Paralyzed Passenger, Igniting Calls for Stricter Airline Accessibility Standards - Travel And Tour World (travelandtourworld.com)
Hundreds of Michigan families’ civil rights cases impacted by federal cuts - Chalkbeat (chalkbeat.org)
Under President Trump, the U.S. Department of Education shuttered the office that handled Michigan’s civil rights cases. These parents haven’t heard updates on their cases since.
Charlottesville looking for input on accessibility plan | News | cbs19news.com (cbs19news.com)
KGW News - YouTube (youtube.com)
KGW is the NBC TV affiliate in Portland, Oregon, delivering the latest news, weather, traffic and sports for Oregon and SW Washington on TV, online at kgw.com and on mobile via the free KGW News app: on.kgw.com/app Check our channel every Friday for a new Oregon adventure from Grant's Getaways. Every Saturday look for a new in-depth political discussion on Straight Talk with Laural Porter. And every day you can get headlines on demand with the Top Stories from our newscasts!
Charlottesville looking for input on accessibility plan | News | cbs19news.com (cbs19news.com)
Insomnia and sleep medication use connected to disability in older adults | Penn State University (psu.edu)
For adults over the age of 65, higher levels of both insomnia symptoms and sleep medication use were associated with higher risk of disability a year later, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health and the Taipei Medical University Program in Global Health and Health Security.
KGW News - YouTube (youtube.com)
KGW is the NBC TV affiliate in Portland, Oregon, delivering the latest news, weather, traffic and sports for Oregon and SW Washington on TV, online at kgw.com and on mobile via the free KGW News app: on.kgw.com/app Check our channel every Friday for a new Oregon adventure from Grant's Getaways. Every Saturday look for a new in-depth political discussion on Straight Talk with Laural Porter. And every day you can get headlines on demand with the Top Stories from our newscasts!
Pending Report on Veterans' Access to Parks Censored to Comply with Trump's Anti-Diversity Orders | Military.com (military.com)
Mentions of race, gender and, in some cases, disabilities have been scrubbed from an upcoming report from a federal task force aimed at improving veterans' access to parks and other outdoor recreation.
Hobbs vows to veto all bills until disability funding crisis resolved (azmirror.com)
Arizona disability funding crisis intensifies as Hobbs vows to veto all bills until legislature passes funding for developmental disabilities
Your access to this site has been limited by the site owner (thebusinessjournal.com)
We have something in common with Gov. Gavin Newsom and his views on reimagining the California workforce. Like the governor, we believe California needs a workforce transformation that drives economic prosperity and access to good-paying
12 News - YouTube (youtube.com)
12News (KPNX-TV, NBC) is a leading local news outlet in Arizona. For more than 70 years, we've helped seek and solve for people around the state. Here at 12News, we're dedicated to journalism and dedicated to you. News tip? Email us at connect@12news.com.
With Her New Book, ‘Unfit Parent,’ Jessica Slice Upends Assumptions About Disability and Motherhood | Vogue (vogue.com)
“Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World” is out now from Penguin Random House.
Accessibility Review: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT (wdwinfo.com)
A wheelchair user shares her first impressions of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, during a recent visit to EPCOT at Walt Disney World.
Surf Therapy Is the Latest Trend in Active, Accessible Adventure (travelandleisure.com)
Adaptive sports programs for kids with special needs—and their families—are going mainstream.
Group calls for inclusive mobility accessibility for PWDs | ABS-CBN News (abs-cbn.com)
Move as One, a coalition advocating for sustainable and inclusive transport in the Philippines, has called for a more proactive approach to mobility accessibility.
Struggling to Find Accessible Housing for Daughters with Special Needs, Says Former CJI DY Chandrachud - Law Trend (lawtrend.in)
Former Chief Justice of India, Dr. DY Chandrachud, has spoken candidly about his family’s ongoing struggle to find a residence in Delhi that accommodates the
New campaign to raise awareness of EU rules for websites (rte.ie)
Digital Business Ireland, the country's largest representative body for digital and online businesses, has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of new EU accessibility rules for websites, apps, and digital sources.
Chipping Norton has 'UK's first' wheelchair height crazy golf (bbc.com)
The attraction, at Fairytale Farm in Chipping Norton, is a blend of crazy golf and snooker, with cues instead of putters.
Accessible Easter egg hunt thrills children with sight loss (ctvnews.ca)
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind partnered with the Calgary Police Service Youth Foundation and CPS Tactical Unit for an egg hunt for children with sight loss.
Which areas lead the way in accessible lodging in Spain (traveldailynews.com)
One of the key findings of a new study by Mabrian on accessible lodging in Spain highlights the need to improve the visibility and analysis of accessible tourisma through open data.
Jobs fears as Access to Work disability scheme owes businesses thousands (bbc.com)
One firm says it is owed £186,000 by the Access to Work scheme and is worried it may have to close.
Rotorua Lakes Council adopts first accessibility policy | RNZ News (rnz.co.nz)
It applies to a range of council work, from new projects and renewals of public buildings and footpaths, to its events, employment, services and communication.
Left Out at the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Purple Fest: When Accessibility Failed the Deaf Community - The Wire (thewire.in)
While events around the world routinely provide captions, accessible seating, and inclusive communication strategies in addition to sign language interpretation, many spaces in India continue to overlook these needs.
Paul Challinor: Why I Created Deaf Careers – A New Job Site by and for the Deaf Community (BSL) | The Limping Chicken (limpingchicken.com)
As a Deaf person, I know first-hand how frustrating the job search can be. So many job sites aren’t built with us in mind – no BSL, no visual-friendly layouts, and no clue about accessibility. It o…
When Design Excludes: The Need for Accessible Tech Education (thenewsminute.com)
When a routine software update rolled out for a leading banking app last year, a person with visual impairment found himself suddenly locked out of his finances
Paralympic cycling star living in hotel after no-fault eviction (bbc.com)
Megan Giglia says she now suffers from "severe headaches from the stress of it all".
Oman Unveils Comprehensive Digital Accessibility Guide To Champion Inclusive Technology (travelandtourworld.com)
Visual impairment: Goggles help Eastleigh Mayor raise awareness (bbc.com)
The Mayor and Mayoress go shopping wearing goggles that replicate the effect of a visual impairment.
Digital accessibility guide launched - Times of Oman (timesofoman.com)
The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion
Digital accessibility guide launched - Times of Oman (timesofoman.com)
The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion
Prioritising Accessibility Of Differently-Abled People As A Right - CodeBlue (codeblue.galencentre.org)
Following a rights-based approach will ensure effective participation of disabled persons in India’s economy.
Visual impairment: Goggles help Eastleigh Mayor raise awareness (bbc.com)
The Mayor and Mayoress go shopping wearing goggles that replicate the effect of a visual impairment.
Tackling Tokyo by Wheelchair - Anthony (from The World is Accessible) gives us his take! (mailchi.mp)
From Startup winner to global success: Wheel the World’s accessible travel revolution continues - WiT (webintravel.com)
Revenue has tripled since winning Global Startup Pitch two years ago – improving access to travel for more than 20,000 people Wheel the World, the award-winning online travel marketplace making the world accessible to people with disabilities, is empowering tourism offices, destination marketing or
Europe or the US: Where’s the action going to be for accessibility? (mailchi.mp)
This webinar is part of our series "The Human Experience of Black People with Disabilities and Their Rights Under the ADA," which reports on our research
(24) Beyond Awareness: Autism and the Disability Economy as a Blueprint for Inclusive Innovation | LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
Every April, Autism Awareness Month arrives with familiar rhythms, blue lights, symbolic ribbons, heartfelt campaigns asking us to “see” autism. But what if awareness was never meant to be the end? What if it was simply a threshold, an invitation to think more expansively about how we build systems,
The Developer - Opinion - Rooftop parks can address a lack of green space, but only if they are inclusive and accessible (thedeveloper.live)
A study of two rooftop green spaces in London reveals problems of perception and physical and visual accessibility. Christine Murray reports
Universal Design Homes: What Builders Should Know During Fair Housing Month | realtor.com® (realtor.com)
April marks Fair Housing Month, a time to recommit to the principles of equity and inclusion in the housing industry. For builders, this isn’t just about Universal Design for Builders: Fair Housing Month focus on accessible homes. Explore trends, compliance, & the value of inclusive design.
Lack of awareness keeps communities from accessibility - KLC Journal (klcjournal.com)
Speakers shared a desire to see leadership on accessibility that is more collaborative and willing to explore new ideas.
WebAIM Million results show that shopping sites have worst accessibility – Bogdan on Digital Accessibility (A11y) (cerovac.com)
WebAIM published results (opens in new window) of their seventh automated accessibility evaluation of the home pages for the top one million web sites across the globe. Automatic accessibility testing is perfect for such large scale testing, but we need to understand that automatic tools only cover parts of relevant Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) … Continue reading "WebAIM Million results show that shopping sites have worst accessibility"
Travel and tourism websites failing to cater for disabled users, report finds - Travel Tomorrow (traveltomorrow.com)
A new 2025 report released by WebAIM, a non-profit focused on internet accessibility, has revealed how accessible different websites and sectors are, for the seventh year
Why and how academic medicine must champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility - The Lancet (thelancet.com)
US President Donald Trump has launched a series of Executive Actions1 to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts; defund scientific research; and freeze federal funds and programmes, posing substantial threats to the nation's health. Key actions undermining diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and health equity include removing vital health data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;2 enforcing an anti-scientific strict binary definition of gender and sex;1 banning any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility activities within federal agencies and encouraging such bans in the private sector, including in higher education;1 targeting federally funded grants using words such as women, Black, or disability3 and even terminating many grants early;4 slashing US Agency for International Development funding to hinder global health and development;5 and executing widespread raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
UK financial sector falling short of digital inclusion and accessibility standards | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)
A new report warns that several UK financial sub-sectors are falling short of regulatory standards for digital accessibility and inclusion - a concern that extends to recruitment and workforce inclusion strategies.
A Decade of Learning: Building a Dynamic Workforce through Neurodiversity - Microsoft Accessibility Blog (blogs.microsoft.com)
Exploring a decade of Microsoft's April is World Autism Month, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of Microsoft’s Neurodiversity Program
Building a Future of Inclusive Digital Spaces for Everyone Everywhere - TechBullion (techbullion.com)
Modern web development is undergoing a transformation, with accessibility taking center stage in the architectural landscape. Murali Ajit Varma’s research emphasizes this shift, highlighting key strategies for scalable implementation. His work highlights the importance of integrating accessibility at every level of web system design to reduce technical debt and enhance user engagement. The Pillars of […]
Why a smart home renovation includes universal design principles - Peninsula News Review (peninsulanewsreview.com)
Yesterday's homes don't always suit the accessibility needs of today's families. The right reno can help
What Disabled People Have to Give Up in the Name of Accessibility – Access Aces (accessaces.com)
So many companies ask people with disabilities to give up some of the basic human rights that most people take for granted. As a blind person, I feel I should still have the right to keep my perso…
Image Alt Text Guide: How To Write and Add Image Alt Text (2025) - Shopify UK (shopify.com)
Whether through a short phrase or long description, alt text conveys the context of an image when users can’t see the image themselves.
EN 301 549 vs. WCAG: A Comparison of Accessibility Standards | UsableNet, Inc. (blog.usablenet.com)
Understand the key differences between EN 301 549 and WCAG standards to ensure digital accessibility compliance for your business.
From Usability to Inclusivity: Why UX Needs a Bigger Mission | LBBOnline (lbbonline.com)
Little Black Book, LBB’s Zara Naseer makes the case for why businesses should care about inclusive and accessible UX design
AI for the Win: How PwDs are benefiting from AI Tools (bestcolleges.indiatoday.in)
AI is breaking digital barriers and redefining accessibility, empowering persons with disabilities to thrive and lead in an inclusive digital world.
Comment: How to tackle the travel sector’s accessibility problem - In Depth (travelweekly.co.uk)
Travel Weekly is the market-leading UK-travel multimedia brand with an unrivalled print, digital and events portfolio.
What does accessibility mean for someone with hypopara? (hypoparathyroidismnews.com)
After attending a concert, columnist Heather Novak reflects on what accessibility looks like for her as a mobility aid user with hypopara.
Testing Methods: Prerecorded Audio-only and Video-only - Dennis Deacon (dennisdeacon.com)
Note: The creation of this content was human-based, with the assistance on artificial intelligence. Explanation of the success criteria WCAG 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) is a Level A conformance level Success Criterion. For prerecorded audio-only or video-only content, providing an alternative (e.g., a transcript for audio-only, or an audio description/text alternative for video-only content)…
What does accessibility mean for someone with hypopara? (hypoparathyroidismnews.com)
After attending a concert, columnist Heather Novak reflects on what accessibility looks like for her as a mobility aid user with hypopara.
Is a truly accessible web possible? The challenge of teaching accessibility - Centro di Ateneo per i Diritti Umani (unipd-centrodirittiumani.it)
Recent analyses show that, despite clear regulations, the state of accessibility both in Italy and abroad remains discouraging. According to an international report, The WebAim Million (WebAim, 2025), an analysis...
Ask an Accessibility Question | Learning Design & Technology (learningdesign.as.virginia.edu)
Putting the "Tee" in Accessibility - Amplitude (livingwithamplitude.com)
The snow has finally melted away from the fairways and greens of The Loop at Chaska, and adaptive golfers are teeing up for the second season at this unique nine-hole course. […]
April 2025 Update from WID (mailchi.mp)
Fostering An Accessibility Culture — Smashing Magazine (smashingmagazine.com)
While there’s no definitive playbook for building an accessibility culture, Dani shares lessons from his experience in shaping it through habits rather than mandates.
"Accessibility can still mean luxury" - kbbreview (kbbreview.com)
Garry Kirkbright, senior designer at More Ability, explains how accessible bathrooms can still be on-trend and stylish...
Automated WCAG Testing Is Grrreat! — Adrian Roselli (adrianroselli.com)
I’m a big fan of using automation in WCAG testing. I use bookmarklets, dev tools, browser features & reporting, and a pile of third-party products from assorted vendors. These save me time and effort, letting me focus on more tricky cases. But… Unfortunately, the marketing machines of some vendors seem…
Students with disabilities honor supportive faculty and staff | Binghamton News (binghamton.edu)
28 Binghamton University faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions toward opening the doors of access to higher education at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Recognition Reception on April 7.
Misunderstanding accommodations hurts disabled students — The Kenyon Collegian (kenyoncollegian.com)
Accusations of accommodation abuse are becoming increasingly common on campus. As someone who has been through the housing accommodations process and has their own issues with it, I would like to provide clarification and some redirection on how to consider the issue. While it is possible that some may abuse it in this way, people […]
USG passes bill requesting better pedestrian safety and accessibility on campus – BG Falcon Media (bgfalconmedia.com)
On Monday, March 31, USG passed a bill formally requesting the improvement of pedestrian safety and accessibility on campus to create a more safe and inclusive environment. The bill states that pedestrian safety is becoming more of a concern as foot traffic increases and current infrastructure does not address pedestrian needs. Places with high vehicle...
April series looks at digital accessibility and inclusive design | Hub (hub.jhu.edu)
Events invite the JHU community to explore accessibility in AI, website tools, and cross-campus collaboration through hands-on learning and expert-led discussions
MU plans to roll out new digital accessibility tools to meet federal requirements | Higher Education | columbiamissourian.com (columbiamissourian.com)
Director of accessibility and ADA coordinator says new technology will be in place months ahead of the April 2026 deadline.
How I’m Teaching My Students to Report When Sources Are Afraid to Talk - Columbia Journalism Review (cjr.org)
Even scientists are getting harder to reach.
UCLA’s neglect of elevator maintenance limits campus accessibility - Daily Bruin (dailybruin.com)
Erin Su and 14 other students found themselves trapped in one of the Westwood Chateau elevators. They called dispatch, only to be told it would take an hour for someone to come help the students.
Accessibility and belonging: Jadon Lau’s journey | Binghamton News (binghamton.edu)
Jadon Lau, a senior at Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs, exemplifies resilience, determination and a commitment to fostering inclusivity both within and beyond the classroom.
DEI and the First Amendment | The First Amendment Encyclopedia (firstamendment.mtsu.edu)
Policies and programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion or diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (for convenience referred to as “DEI,” although proponents encourage the use of the words themselves wherever possible) have been a mainstay of American life in both the public and private sectors for several decades. They have been defended as an effective […]
Physical textbook sales decline on campus as digital thrives – Long Beach Current (lbcurrent.com)
Baldwin Wallace students confront campus accessibility (spectrumnews1.com)
Students spent a short time in a wheelchair to gain a lifelong understanding.
City gives $30,000 boost to accessibility makeover at conservation area to let those with disabilities enjoy nature - Capital Current (capitalcurrent.ca)
The Baxter Conservation Area is getting an accessibility makeover spurred on by a grant from the City of Ottawa.
The GAA and Age Friendly Ireland – the national organisation delivering the government vision of an Age Friendly Ireland – have today announced a new partnership to enhance the GAA experience for older members and supporters. In collaboration with Age Friendly Programme Managers, the GAA will invite a number of
VIA SEEKS DISABILITY COMMUNITY ADVISORS FOR COMMITTEE - VIA Metropolitan Transit (viainfo.net)
Herne Bay Station's £6M Transformation: Discover the New Accessibility Features! | Rail News (railtechnologymagazine.com)
A £6 million project aimed at enhancing the accessibility of Herne Bay station has successfully concluded with the addition of t
We want your input! 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan survey - Region of Durham (durham.ca)
District to install hearing loops at public buildings, make accessibility upgrades - The Squamish Reporter (squamishreporter.com)
The District of Squamish is installing hearing loops at public buildings to make it easier for people with hearing aids and cochlear implants to access services.
Call for Art by Artists with Disabilities for the 2025 Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster (content.govdelivery.com)
William O’Brien State Park Day Use Area reopens May 1 with slate of new accessibility improvements : Apr 11, 2025 | News release | Minnesota DNR (dnr.state.mn.us)
Sensory Accessibility Programs : Lush Cosmetics Partners (trendhunter.com)
Lush Cosmetics Partners - Lush Cosmetics partners with KultureCity, a leading non-profit dedicated to sensory accessibility and inclusion, to introduce a pilot program aimed...
Forever Edinburgh launches new accessibility guide for the city - ETAG | Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (etag.org.uk)
Forever Edinburgh have just launched a new Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide, created with Euan’s Guide. The guide is designed to help disabled visitors and residents enjoy everything the city has to offer. The guide highlights attractions, accommodation, experiences, eateries and transport that provide facilities, products and services for people’s differing accessibility requirements. It also provides […]
2024-25 Inclusive Community Grants Expansion Recipients | Ontario Newsroom (news.ontario.ca)
403 Forbidden (discoverweyburn.com)
The City of Weyburn Accessibility Committee is launching a survey early next week, a crucial part of the development of a community Accessibility Plan. In early February, Weyburn City Council approved the development and implementation of an accessibility plan. This is part of the provincial standard set in the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, requiring public sector bodies to create accessibility plans by December 3, 2025.. As part of the plan's development, the city is inviting residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in a short public survey launching on Monday. Abby Kradovill is the safety coordinator for the City of Weyburn. She highlights their vision for ‘a community for all’, saying accessibility is a key part of that goal. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dwe-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1635342687823-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1635342687823]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “These plans aim to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility, ensuring that all members of the community can fully participate in daily activities, work, and play.” Kradovill explains the survey will directly influence what is included in the completed accessibility plan. She says it will address a variety of barriers that may be experienced by different people in the community. “We're taking a comprehensive approach by addressing a combination of barriers. So physical, informational, systemic, and attitudinal, we recognize that accessibility is more than just ramps and elevators. It's also how people interact with our spaces, our services, and communications.
‘Big Deal’: Hopes For Change As City Adopts First Accessibility Policy | Scoop News (scoop.co.nz)
About 25% of Rotorua’s population, roughly 20,000 people, have disabilities.
William O'Brien State Park to unveil accessibility improvements (twincities.com)
The park’s Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area and Riverway Campground have been closed since March 2024.
Margaritaville Properties Boost Accessibility with New Autism Certification | TravelAge West (travelagewest.com)
[Interview] How Samsung Embeds Accessibility and User-Centered Values Into Its Home Appliances – Samsung Global Newsroom (news.samsung.com)
Guided by its vision of “AI for All,” Samsung Electronics continues to develop home appliances that are intuitive and convenient for a wide range of home
Accessibility consultant launches new app to help people with a disability travel with confidence (newsletter.co.uk)
TravelEase app helps users find and book verified accessible accommodation with confidence.
Ubisoft’s Colorblind Simulation Tool, Chroma, Now Available For Public Use (news.ubisoft.com)
The open-source tool allows developers to simulate a colorblind person’s experience while gaming.
Thomas Franks opens its doors to accessibility - Hospitality & Catering News (hospitalityandcateringnews.com)
Thomas Franks is set to welcome a cross section of industry leaders in accessibility to The aha Forum taking place at one of their client venues, Urban Farmer Project, Shoe Lane, City of London on 11 June. The event enables delegates to collaborate within sessions on topics already influenced by them as well as […]
CK Accessibility Awards accepting nominations (cknewstoday.ca)
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2025 Chatham-Kent Accessibility Advisory Committee Awards is April 30.
VCET appoints 'Accessibility Advisory Committee' (traveldailymedia.com)
Victorian Convention and Event Trust (VCET) have appointed four individuals living with disabilities to its Accessibility Advisory committee.
To justify Medicaid cuts, the Trump administration says that "able-bodied young men" have become lazy because they can go to a doctor.
Video: Boeing Showcases Cabin Accessibility Innovations | Aviation Week Network (aviationweek.com)
Boeing outlines its new approach to accessibility to improve passenger experience and showcases a new cabin solution for wheelchair users.
Detroit Metro Airport introduces autonomous wheelchairs (clickondetroit.com)
Travelers at Detroit Metro Airport will have access to autonomous wheelchairs as part of a new pilot program to improve accessibility.
P&G Brands Recognized for Packaging That’s Accessible and Sustainable | P&G (us.pg.com)
Learn about our brands’ inclusive products and packaging that also help consumers live more sustainably.
Site Not Available (wmur.com)
No matter how often you're on your smartphone, there may be features you've missed.
Tamkeen, Invita partner to enhance accessibility through sign language app Nasmaakum (bna.bh)
Bahrain News Agency (BNA) is the principal contributory of major national news in the Kingdom of Bahrain by virtue of its honest and objective reporting. BNA is the official conveyor of Bahrain’s news and events and the main source of the Kingdom’s news locally and abroad.
Meals on Wheels, centers for independent living, and other critical programs for seniors and disabled people across the US are now at risk, as US Department of Health and Human Services leaders dismantle the small agency that coordinates federal policy on aging and disability.
Parents in Wheelchairs Go Viral for Sharing How They Manage 5 Kids (Exclusive) (people.com)
Stephanie Woodward tells PEOPLE that even before she and her husband, Ryan, got married, they knew they wanted children. But they were in for a big surprise.
Test your skills: HTML accessibility - Learn web development | MDN (developer.mozilla.org)
The aim of this skill test is to assess whether you've understood our HTML: A good basis for accessibility article.
How Accessible is The Darkest Files? | GameGrin (gamegrin.com)
Accessibility has been improving as of late, so you might be wondering how it is in the latest titles.
Ubisoft's free colour blindness tool is a gift for game developers | Creative Bloq (creativebloq.com)
Open-source Chroma can help make games more accessible.
Switch 2 Looks Like a Major Leap Forward for Nintendo's Accessibility Design - IGN (ign.com)
In our newest column, we look at how the Switch 2 marks a major improvement for how Nintendo is approaching accessibility in its game and hardware design.
Robert Wickens will set new milestone at Long Beach 7 years after being paralyzed | FOX Sports (foxsports.com)
Seven years after being paralyzed in an INDYCAR race, Robert Wickens will set a new milestone when he competes this weekend in Long Beach.
abc.net.au/news/2025-04-09/deafblind-disability-inclusion-education/105077854 (abc.net.au)
The mother of a boy who is Deafblind is frustrated after being told her son will not have the one-on-one assistance he needs to understand lessons in his preferred setting.
IKEA Launches New Line of Accessible Home Products in BÄSINGEN Collection (thespruce.com)
IKEA launches their accessible home collection, BÄSINGEN. It features six products, primarily for use in the bathroom, for people with various abilities.
The Web’s Biggest Accessibility Crisis (And How WordPress Users Can Fix It) | Cybernews (cybernews.com)
Creator and star of You're My Hero portrays the comical side of living with a disability | CBC Radio (cbc.ca)
Sean Towgood says he created the Canadian comedy series You’re My Hero with the intention to show the audience a more complete picture of people living with disabilities. He spoke to Brent Bambury, host of CBC Radio’s Day 6 about the journey to Season 2.
Armstrong Museum open house showcases accessibility app - LimaOhio.com (limaohio.com)
Experimental drug shown to slow multiple sclerosis disability - UPI.com (upi.com)
An experimental drug can help patients with advanced multiple sclerosis delay the progressive disability that comes with their disorder, a new clinical trial suggests.
Can you take a walker on a plane? | Expert Guidelines (rollz.com)
Are you planning to fly with a walker or wheelchair? Discover tips on transporting mobility aids, and ensuring a stress-free journey.
The Power of Inclusive Leadership: Why Disabled Leaders Are Essential in Faith Communities - Disability Belongs (respectability.org)
When leadership is truly inclusive, faith communities become more compassionate, equitable, and reflective of the diverse people they serve.
Accessible Celebrations - Disability Belongs (respectability.org)
As we begin the spring season, we recognize several important religious observances happening across different faiths.
EICC Launches the Impact Network (euansguide.com)
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has launched the Impact Network—an initiative connecting event organisers with local partners to deliver long-term, community-focused benefits aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Picking a team from bars to beam and hoping for 10s: Fantasy leagues in gymnastics are a thing | The Independent (independent.co.uk)
Interest in gymnastics traditionally peaks with the Olympic cycle, but the sport is popular all year round on the “gymternet,” an online global community for devoted fans
Disability groups consider ‘step back’ from government (bbc.com)
A number of disability-led organisations say they are considering “stepping back” from engaging with the government over benefit cuts
Carey Cox Talks Breaking Barriers in Disability Representation (castingnetworks.com)
From Broadway to Hulu, Carey Cox shares her story of determination and highlights the importance of disability representation in the industry.
Persons with disabilities ignored in election debates and housing plans - Disability Insider (disabilityinsider.com)
PWDA is urging all parties and candidates to immediately address the critical shortage of accessible housing after this week’s leader’s and housing policy debates failed to even acknowledge persons with disabilities.
India's SC calls for reassessment of AIIMS candidate with disabilities - Disability Insider (disabilityinsider.com)
India’s Supreme Court has ordered a fresh assessment of a candidate with disabilities, who qualified the MBBS entrance exam, by a newly constituted board at AIIMS Delhi.
Big Ocean, the world’s first deaf K-pop band, on the stigma, the songs and a second album | K-pop | The Guardian (theguardian.com)
A year after their debut, PJ, Chanyeon and Jiseok talk about the tough times, their global fanbase and what keeps them going
Ministers scramble to avoid Labour rebellion on disability benefit cuts | Politics | The Guardian (theguardian.com)
Backbenchers may be allowed to abstain, a major climbdown from previous votes when rebels were suspended from the party
Disability Advocates Alarmed by HHS Removal of Gender Dysphoria Protections | Truthout (truthout.org)
The move reduces protections for transgender people who face discrimination in health care, education and housing.
Texas v. Becerra Threatens to Undo Protections for Disabled People in Order to Target Trans Kids | Teen Vogue (teenvogue.com)
Texas v. Becerra, an ongoing court fight led by Republicans, challenges the constitutionality of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protects people from discrimination based on disability.
Statement - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Unfit to Serve as HHS Secretary (doctorsforamerica.org)
STATEMENT RELEASE: Doctors for America Calls for the Resignation or Removal of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. DFA General -
Tell Congress NO CUTS to Medicaid! (votervoice.net)
Congress is currently going through a budget reconciliation process and is proposing measures that will lead to massive cuts to Medicaid, threatening the health and well-being of millions of people, including children, seniors, and individuals with...
Beyond Ivy League, RFK Jr.’s NIH Slashed Science Funding Across States That Backed Trump - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
A KFF Health News analysis underscores how the terminations have spared no part of the country, politically or geographically. Of the organizations that had grants cut in the first month, about 40% are in states President Donald Trump won in November.
Support, Not Erasure: What Autistic People and Families Really Need (spectrumlife.org)
Autistic advocate and mom Karen Krejcha shares what the autism community truly needs: support across the spectrum, not harmful rhetoric or erasure.
RFK Jr. Is Wrong About Autism: My Son Is Not an Epidemic (variety.com)
Variety's awards editor responds to RFK's autism speech: "My son is not an epidemic."
CDC report finds autism rates rise in 2022 - Disability Insider (disabilityinsider.com)
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health contributed to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report examining autism among children who turned 4 and 8 years old in 2022. The CDC report, which includes data from 16 study sites across the U.S. including Maryland, found an overall prevalence of autism of 1 in 31 (3.2%) among 8-year-olds in 2022.
For independent living centers, CDPAP is about care, not money (timesunion.com)
The network of disability-led organizations served as far more than "fiscal intermediaries," and the service they provided is in jeopardy.
National Center on Disability and Journalism Awards Ceremony | ASU Cronkite School (cronkite.asu.edu)
The Cronkite School will recognize journalists working in digital, print, audio and broadcast media who have amplified coverage devoted exclusively to disability conditions.
Beyond Ivy League, RFK Jr.’s NIH Slashed Science Funding Across States That Backed Trump - California Healthline (californiahealthline.org)
A KFF Health News analysis underscores how the terminations have spared no part of the country, politically or geographically. Of the organizations that had grants cut in the first month, about 40% are in states President Donald Trump won in November.
RFK Jr. visits Texas after second child dies from measles-related illness | AP News (apnews.com)
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has traveled to the epicenter of Texas' measles outbreak after a second school-aged child who was not vaccinated died from a measles-related illness. The death was confirmed Sunday by a spokesman for UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, and the Texas State Department of State Health Services. The state health department said the child died Thursday of “what the child’s doctors described as measles pulmonary failure.” The first measles death in the U.S. in a decade was in an unvaccinated school-age child in February in Lubbock. An adult in New Mexico who was unvaccinated became the second death in March. Kennedy says in a social media post Sunday that he is in Gaines County, Texas, to comfort the children's families.
Trump’s Health Fraud Focus at Odds With Past Pardons - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Bipartisan Congressional Members & Celebrities to Champion Down Syndrome Research in DC | Global Down Syndrome Foundation (globaldownsyndrome.org)
Representatives Robert Aderholt and Diana DeGette to Receive GLOBAL’s Highest Honor, Celebrity TV Journalists Chuck Todd & Autria Godfrey to Emcee DENVER, CO ( April 3, 2025) – Today, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) announced Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Diana D
Parents say federal cuts have slowed civil rights investigations : NPR (npr.org)
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination in schools. It recently lost more than 40% of its staff.
Exclusive: US consumer safety agency to stop collecting swaths of data after CDC cuts | Reuters (reuters.com)
The U.S. consumer product safety agency will stop collecting data on injuries from incidents like car accidents and adverse drug effects due to staff cuts at the CDC, according to an agency email seen by Reuters and a source familiar with the situation.
As depression becomes more common in the US, treatment rates vary, CDC reports show | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
Depression is becoming more common among adults and adolescents in the United States, but most are not getting therapy to help, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CT scans contribute to U.S. cancer burden : Shots - Health News : NPR (npr.org)
They can be life-saving but radiation from the scans also contributes to cancer risk. The authors of a new study estimate overuse of CT scans is increasing the U.S. cancer burden.
NYC agency meant to help vulnerable adults rejected 95% of people referred for aid - Gothamist (gothamist.com)
Officials from the city’s Adult Protective Services program disclosed the rejection rate at a City Council hearing inspired by Gothamist’s reporting.
Disability Rights Florida Blog - Disability Rights Florida (disabilityrightsflorida.org)
Resources and insight direct from DRF staff and others in the community. Click here to read our latest entries!
Real Talk About Sex and Consent: What Every Teen Needs to Know | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Navigating sex and sexuality is complicated for teens — and it's even tougher with so many conflicting cultural messages. Worse, many teens aren't comfortable talking to someone in their life about relationships, consent, an sexual activity, so they could be missing out on lessons that are critical for their well
Maybe He Just Likes You | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
When Mila wears a fuzzy green sweater to school one day, and suddenly, several boys insist on hugging her, even when she doesn't want to. Before long, there are smirks, comments about her body, and more unwanted touching that leaves Mila feeling confused, frustrated, and a little scared. But when she talks to her frien
Speak | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Melinda called the cops on an end-of-summer party right before the start of her freshman year at high school, and now everyone hates her. And since no one will listen, she doesn't talk — at all. But in her art class, she finds the courage to start expressing what really happened at that party: she was raped by An
Girl Made of Stars | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Mara has always had an especially close relationship with her twin brother Owen, the only person who helped her stop withdrawing after a traumatic experience. Then Hannah, her best friend — and Owen's girlfriend — accuses Owen of rape, and Mara's world is turned upside down. Mara refuses to dismiss Hannah's
Bella Ramsey Opens Up About Their “Freeing” Autism Diagnosis | Them (them.us)
Ramsey told ‘British Vogue’ that they were inspired to pursue a diagnosis after a a parent to an autistic child assumed that Ramsey was also autistic.
The Way I Used To Be | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Eden has always been the good girl, but when her brother's best friend rapes her, her world is turned upside down. She knows she should tell someone what happened, but she doesn't know how, so she buries it instead... along with the person she used to be. The new Eden doesn't know how to manage the trauma she's suffere
US FDA suspends food safety quality checks after staff cuts | Reuters (reuters.com)
The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for its food testing laboratories as a result of staff cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.
Sexual assault prevention division gutted amid HHS layoffs : NPR (npr.org)
The CDC teams that supported local sexual assault prevention groups were 'wiped out' in RFK Jr.'s overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Sexual Trauma Workbook for Teen Girls: A Guide to Recovery from Sexual Assault and Abuse | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Girls who have survived sexual abuse or trauma may feel like they can never recover — but it is possible to find your voice, move past your trauma, and discover your inner strength and resilience. In this book from the Instant Help Solutions series, girls will read stories from other teen survivors and learn prov
Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
It's important for kids to understand that bodies have boundaries, and that everyone has a right to their own personal space. Jayneen Sanders, an experienced early years educator, provides simple and familiar scenarios — from giving a hug to pushing to get to the front of a line — to illustrate how "bo
Consent (for Kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of YOU | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
It's easier than you think to explain concepts of consent and bodily autonomy to kids! In this funny, colorful, and insightful book from Rachel Brian, co-creator of the "Tea Consent" viral video, kids will learn about what boundaries are, how to set them, and what to do if someone else makes them feel uncomfo
States Push Medicaid Work Rules, but Few Programs Help Enrollees Find Jobs - California Healthline (californiahealthline.org)
Republicans are pushing to implement requirements that Medicaid recipients work in order to obtain or retain coverage. Some states try to help enrollees find jobs. But states lack the data to show whether they’re effective.
The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability (yahoo.com)
Public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act have helped shape health policy and keep the government accountable – but recent staff cuts may...
Deep South Today to Expand and Enhance Regional Health Journalism - Deep South Today (deepsouthtoday.org)
Deep South Today, a nonprofit network of local newsrooms that includes Mississippi Today and Verite News, today announced the addition of a new health
Autism Is Part of Us - Starkloff Disability Institute (starkloff.org)
A Response to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Dehumanizing Remarks We echo Colin Killick, executive director of the Autism Self Advocacy Network, autistic people, and the wider disability community in rejecting the premise of RFK Jr.’s remarks about autistic people. Watch the video for Colin's comments on ABC News: HHS
An ALS researcher at Harvard Medical School lost his funding after the Trump administration’s funding freeze | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
A laureate professor working on early diagnosis of ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is one of several Harvard University researchers who have received stop-work orders after the Trump administration froze more than $2.2 billion in funding over the university’s refusal to bow to policy demands.
RFK Jr. Promises To Uncover Cause Of ‘Autism Epidemic’ By September (disabilityscoop.com)
The nation's top health official is promising to determine by this fall why autism rates have surged in recent decades.
Wheelchair User Tests Apple Watch's Accessibility Features (youtube.com)
Steve Wickwar, a manual wheelchair user and C6 quad checks out the accessibility of Apple Watch features like fitness monitoring, health tracking and home automation.
6 Free Ways to Practice Sign Language Online (getpocket.com)
You don’t need to spend any money to start learning American Sign Language (ASL) with these resources.
Independent Living Day 2025 – Info Session (youtube.com)
What’s planned for the European Independent Living Day 2025? Take part, and share your ideas!
What did the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities say about the European Union? (youtube.com)
ENIL and Validity summary of 15 CRPD Committee concerns and recommendations to the European Union (EU) - 18 March 2025
ENIL & Validity React to CRPD Committee's Conclusions on the EU (enil.eu)
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL and the Validity Foundation welcome the adoption of the concluding observations on the combined second and third periodic reports of the European Union by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee). In the concluding observations, adopted on 18 March, the CRPD Committee highlighted its concerns and formulated recommendations in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the European Union.
Registration for "Bound To The Script" online workshops (docs.google.com)
Join us for Bound To The Script, a powerful three-part online workshop series unpacking how disability is portrayed in the media—where we challenge the clichés, expose the impact of "inspirational" storytelling, and explore how to create authentic narratives that reflect real lives of young disabled people.
Lived Experience Leads the Way at Massachusetts DeafBlind Awareness Day (mass.gov)
DeafBlind Awareness Day returned to the Massachusetts State House for the first time since 2019, hosted in the Great Hall of Flags by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) in partnership with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH), legislators, advocates, and community members. The event celebrated the resilience, advocacy, and visibility of the DeafBlind community across the Commonwealth.
Fate of Black Maternal Health Programs Is Unclear Amid Federal Cuts (californiahealthline.org)
In California, Black women are at least three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Santa Clara County initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities work but depend on federal dollars — money that might not flow amid budget cuts and a push to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Judge rips state's plan for psychiatric bed crisis: 'This is about people.' (thebaltimorebanner.com)
An Anne Arundel County judge has ripped the Maryland Department of Health for its presentation of what he described as a woefully inadequate plan to address the state’s psychiatric bed crisis.
AccessFest (accessnow.com)
AccessFest is Toronto’s bold new festival celebrating accessibility, community, and culture. Join us at David Pecaut Square on May 31.
Disabilities Beat: Court sets new deadlines, changes for CDPAP transition (wxxinews.org)
Last week, parties to a federal lawsuit against New York State's Department of Health filed and a judge approved a preliminary injunction which will create new protections for consumers and their personal assistants who are transitioning to a new company running the state's home care program.
30 stations maintenant universellement accessibles dans le métro (stm.info)
Les travaux, au coût de 7 M$, ont permis : de procéder à l’installation de deux cabines d’ascenseurs; d’ajouter les équipements nécessaires à leur exploitation; de réaménager les espaces en station et de déplacer un commerce; d'ajuster les tourniquets en fonction de la nouvelle configuration; d’installer ces deux ascenseurs. Une majorité des travaux d’accessibilité universelle avaient déjà été réalisés entre 2019 et 2021 lorsque la STM avait procédé à la réfection de la membrane d’étanchéité de la station.
“Auracast is Here!” Now What? (hearingtracker.com)
Audiologist and hearing advocate Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD, says that although Auracast holds great promise for the future, it will take some time and several provisions before hearing aid users and others benefit from it. Until then, telecoils and loop systems represent an exceptional and practical solution.
Anti-Ableism Guide (ableismguide.com)
This Anti-Ableism Guide will help you understand what ableism looks like in specific settings and learn how to implement Accessibility from a policy and applied context.
The face of British disability is increasingly young and female. It's time to hear from them (theguardian.com)
My book about disabled women grew in relevance as I wrote it, exposing the heartlessness of proposed harsh benefit cuts, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
What Is a Typical Child? Rethinking Labels & Ableism (urevolution.com)
Is there such a thing as a typical child? This essay challenges labels like "normal" and "average" and explores ableism in everyday language.
Mobile App Accessibility: Why Most Apps Are Failing Disabled People (criplife.co.uk)
The State of Mobile App Accessibility (SOMAA) report exposes the digital barriers in top apps across industries, revealing how accessibility gaps cost brands revenue, reputation, and users — and what leaders can do about it.
EAA: Only 11% of organisations confident they will meet June deadline (abilitynet.org.uk)
Most organisations who responded to our EAA survey do not feel confident they will meet the June deadline for compliance.
KYLA HARRIS (kylaharris.com)
Kyla requires 24 hour care with everything from making artwork to having a wee; struggling with a care shortage during the pandemic, she asks filmmaker friend Lou to swap cameras for catheters and learn how to assist her in a reality tv challenge. The pair give a refreshingly personal perspective of the global care crisis, the necessity of friendship and what it means to truly care for each other.
Learn essential digital skills for free in Dundee (abilitynet.org.uk)
Attend in-person information sessions aimed at people over 65, and speak to advisors about your digital questions, in Dundee.
Day In the Life: Judge Tiiara N.A. Patton (newmobility.com)
From the time she was in first grade, Judge Tiiara Patton always envisioned a career in law. A smart, talkative youngster who loved to watch Matlock with her family, Patton viewed being a lawyer as her way to escape poverty and create a better life for herself. What she did not envision was becoming a T3 paraplegic at the age of 14 from an accidental shooting. But that did not deter her from pursuing her career path.
CripAdvisor (etsy.com)
Shop The funny side of disability and everything else.. by CripAdvisor located in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Top shop for gifts. Buyers bought gifts from this shop and gave them 5-star reviews!
Upgraded Airplane Wheelchair-Seating Solution Unveiled (newmobility.com)
The new seating system from Collins Aerospace would let power wheelchair users fly in their chairs and enjoy the same amenities as other passengers.
Jessy Yates Talks PULSE and Authentic Representation with Disability Belongs™’ Entertainment and Media Fellow and Actor Aaron Potter (respectability.org)
Yates acknowledged that her character “doesn’t get the luxury of messing up the way her peers do” and spoke about the role of medical ableism, which has “life and death consequences.”
PTSD Thoughts and Suppressed Childhood Trauma (urevolution.com)
A personal story of PTSD, obsessive thoughts, and childhood trauma—how repressed memories can resurface and shape the present.
GROHE celebrates the pure joy of water at Milan Design Week 2025 (enkimagazine.com)
GROHE took to the historic Garden Senato over Milan Design Week 2025 to celebrate the 'Pure Joy of Water' with an immersive installation of water-delivering artefacts.
Finding What Matters in Donkey Hodie’s “Hee-Hee Hider Seekers:” A Conversation with Consultant Sam Krauss (respectability.org)
A new character introduced on "Donkey Hodie" named Jeff Mouse is an intrepid explorer and avid nature lover who was born with congenital muscular dystrophy.
Bound To The Script: Workshops Rewriting the Narrative on Disability in the Media (enil.eu)
Join us for “Bound To The Script”, a powerful three-part online workshop series unpacking how disability is portrayed in the media. A space where we challenge the clichés, expose the impact of “inspirational” storytelling, and explore how to create authentic narratives that reflect real disabled lives. We are opening the conversation for all interested media workers, students, influencers and disabled people to press Alt, Shift, or Delete, and rewrite the narrative!
ENIL Youth Network General Assembly 2025 (enil.eu)
The GA will be held online, using Zoom, and international sign language interpretation and live captioning will be provided, if requested. The Youth GA is open to all full and associated members of the ENIL Youth Network, however only full members are allowed to vote.
Accessibility Takes Center Stage at 2025 Passenger Experience Conference (wheelchairtravel.org)
Disabled passengers became the focus at a conference attended by airline executives and the world's leading design firms.
The ENIL Youth Network is looking for new Board members! (enil.eu)
ENIL Youth Network is looking for new Board members, to continue the important work of young disabled people within the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL. Below you will find the call with information about how to join, as well as some reasons on why you should join!
Does OSINT Have An Access Problem? Meet The Disabled Journalists Rewriting Digital Investigations (journoresources.org.uk)
It's a game-changing tool for journalists — but is it taking a toll?
Scientists identify brain circuit behind social challenges in autism (disabilityinsider.com)
UNIGE scientists identified a brain circuit where lies the origin the social difficulties experienced by people with autism. From birth, human survival depends on the ability to engage with others. This ability, which is essential for development, seems to be impaired very early on in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who show limited interest … Continue reading "Scientists identify brain circuit behind social challenges in autism"
The Truth About Work Requirements: How They Harm People with Disabilities (respectability.org)
Work requirements create barriers, not opportunities. Instead of promoting employment, they deepen poverty and exclusion for disabled individuals.
THE TIME HAS COME… MEET MY “PERSON” 💕 (quirkyquad.com)
A few weeks ago, I made a post about dating as a divorced, 40-year-old quadriplegic woman. Toward the end of it, I mentioned someone special—a human who’s been in my life for nearly a year and a half now.
Blind influencer Lucy Edwards on writing and IVF (bbc.co.uk)
Gene testing and how Lucy loves being blind
Why Accessible Media Services Matter (criplife.co.uk)
We highlight why accessible media services matter and how the lack of inclusive access continues to isolate millions from cultural connection and everyday conversation.
The Man Who Believed He Could Have Raised Hitler to Be a Nice Person (lareviewofbooks.org)
Åsmund Borgen Gjerde excavates the link between Ole Ivar Lovaas’s Nazi past and his UCLA-based work on “curing” autistic children.
Deportation Fears Add to Mental Health Problems Confronting Colorado Resort Town Workers (californiahealthline.org)
The Latino communities who make up significant proportions of year-round populations in Colorado’s mountain towns already experience heightened mental health concerns. Now, deportation fears are increasing their stress.
'Doors are being shut': Fake service dogs hurt real service animals' credibility, advocates warn (eu.usatoday.com)
Two thirds of service dog users say badly behaved fake service dogs negatively impact their independence and quality of life.
Come As You Are: Ryan J. Haddad’s Latest Play Is a Story of Love That Meaningfully Welcomes Disabled Audiences (theatermania.com)
After Hi, Are You Single? and Dark Disabled Stories, Haddad presents Hold Me in the Water at Playwrights Horizons.
All Means All: The Story of Liz Weintraub (aucd.org)
When Liz Weintraub sat down to write All Means All: My Life in Advocacy, it wasn’t just to put words on a page, it was to honor a dream and prove something deeply important: that people with intellectual disabilities can do anything they set their minds to.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dangers of Misunderstanding Autism (thinkingautismguide.com)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he would find the cause of autism in five months and “eliminate those exposures.” This is pseudoscience.
Autism rates in US children hit record level in 2022, CDC data show (reuters.com)
Rates of autism spectrum disorder among U.S. children reached a record level in 2022, continuing a recent trend of increasing prevalence, according to data released on Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Deaf woman alleges AI bias in video interview process (newenglandbizlawupdate.com)
A deaf Indigenous woman has filed a discrimination complaint against Intuit and HireVue, alleging she was denied a promotion due to an automated video interview process that failed to accommodate her disability.
Deaf university student wins international competition to design unique hearing tech jewellery (attoday.co.uk)
Gargi Agrawalla has won an international competition to design jewellery for use with cochlear implants and hearing aids.
Berklee group gives musicians with disabilities space to grow (wbur.org)
The Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble highlights the talents of musicians with disabilities. The group will play to their biggest crowd yet Saturday at the Berklee Performance Center.
'Really scared': Parents of kids with disabilities confront Education Department chaos (newsfromthestates.com)
As President Donald Trump takes drastic steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, disability advocates are worried about whether the agency can carry out its responsibilities to serve students with disabilities.
States push Medicaid work rules, but few programs help enrollees find jobs (npr.org)
Some lawmakers are pushing to require that Medicaid recipients work in order to get or keep coverage, and some states already try to help them find jobs. But the effects of those efforts are unclear.
What’s Lost: Trump Whacks Tiny Agency That Works To Make the Nation's Health Care Safer (californiahealthline.org)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has helped improve health care safety in a country where thousands die of medical errors each year. It was effectively dissolved Tuesday.
The Dismantling of HHS (kffhealthnews.org)
A week after the announcement of the reorganization and staff cuts ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the scope of the reductions is only starting to crystallize. Across such agencies as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and FDA, entire divisions have been wiped out, and it is unclear who will be left to enforce hundreds of laws and regulate millions of products. Meanwhile, legislators in a growing number of states are introducing abortion bans that would punish women as well as abortion providers. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss this enormous breaking story and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Georgetown Law School professor Stephen Vladeck about the limits of presidential power.
ASAN Statement on Updated Autism Diagnosis Numbers Amidst Attacks on Autistic People (autisticadvocacy.org)
Today, the Centers for Disease Control released the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network report. This report estimates how many autistic 8-year-olds there are in certain areas of the country. The report shows that better recognition of autism and continued efforts to reduce disparities in diagnosis among different groups have caused rates of diagnosis to continue to rise. This report comes at a time when the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has portrayed the increase in the recognized number of autistic people as an “epidemic” and a “cataclysm.” This is a fundamental misrepresentation of everything we know about autism, including this report. This report is clear that the changes in diagnosis rate are explained by better access to screening and improved understanding of autism.
DOGE cut a CDC team as it was about to start a project to help N.C. flood victims (npr.org)
The National Center for Environmental Health was hollowed out in the cuts of 10,000 federal health workers on April 1. That's the same day an assessment of people hurt in floods was set to begin.
After delays, first vaccine advisory meeting under RFK Jr. is underway (npr.org)
For the first time since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary, vaccine advisers to the CDC are meeting to discuss vaccines for RSV, HPV, COVID and more.
A Call to Unite in Protecting Disability Rights (adawatch.org)
Since its founding in 1982, The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has advanced the rights of people with disabilities, envisioning a world in which this community of more than 61 million people has access to independent living and full, equal participation in society.
Federal pandemic aid helped Phoenix prevent heat-related deaths. Soon that funding will expire (kjzz.org)
Efforts to protect Arizonans from extreme heat are beginning to run out of pandemic-era funding, and no other permanent state or federal funding streams exist to pay for these programs.
“Not Just Measles”: Whooping Cough Cases Are Soaring as Vaccine Rates Decline (propublica.org)
While much of the country is focused on the spiraling measles outbreak, experts warn that whooping cough and other preventable diseases could get much worse with falling vaccination rates and Trump’s slashing of public health infrastructure.
Federal government to remove gender dysphoria from protected disabilities list (19thnews.org)
It’s unclear what the move means for a related lawsuit that could dismantle protections for all people with disabilities.
ASAN Calls For End to Police Violence After Cops Kill Autistic Latino Teen Victor Perez (autisticadvocacy.org)
Victor Perez was a 17-year-old nonspeaking autistic, Latino child with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy. On the night of April 5th, police were called to his house in Pocatello, Idaho and saw Victor in the front yard, holding a knife. A disturbing video of the shooting shows police officers approaching the fenced yard with guns already drawn. Within 20 seconds of arriving, and in spite of the fence between them and Victor, police shot Victor 9 times. Victor was sent to the hospital in critical condition, where doctors had to amputate one of his legs because of his injuries. Over this past weekend, Victor’s family announced that tests had shown he had no brain activity, and he was taken off of life support and passed away. Our hearts are with Victor’s family, community, and all who are reeling in the wake of this tragedy.
I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking (theguardian.com)
For disabled parents, the built environment can be inaccessible – but we are showing that there are countless ways to have bodies and minds
Franchising a step closer for Wales as Buses Bill consultation gets underway (bususers.org)
Bus Users UK Director for Wales, Barclay Davies, looks at the ambitious new Buses Bill for Wales and examines whether it can deliver its vision for a customer-focused, integrated transport network
How cutting Medicaid would affect long-term care and family caregivers (npr.org)
The federal program is the biggest source of money for long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Republican proposals to cut its budget could jeopardize supports family and caregivers rely on.
DOGE abruptly cut a program for teens with disabilities. This student is 'devastated' (npr.org)
The program, Charting My Path for Future Success, aimed to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to the real world. It abruptly ended when DOGE terminated its federal contract.
Intellectually disabled teen shot by Idaho police dies after being removed from life support (npr.org)
An autistic, nonverbal teenage boy who was shot repeatedly by Idaho police from the other side of a chain link fence while he was holding a knife died Saturday after being removed from life support, his family said.
This Is What it’s Really Like to Work in Porn (fortune.com)
Porn veteran Aurora Snow explains how performers promote or, at least, acquiesce to many myths to satisfy production companies and fans.
Wheelchair Dating Questions You’re Too Afraid To Ask (youtube.com)
Santina is an actress, writer, and improviser—she’s also been in a wheelchair since she was 5 years old. She has answers for some questions people have about dating.
The Story of Hope Tech: It takes a village to build anything, and a community to build it properly. (a11ynews.substack.com)
From UX design to community-led product development: How Hope Tech builds accessible solutions with the disabled community.
Hacking Accessible Pedestrian Signals is Not a Joke: It's a Civil Rights Violation (lflegal.com)
On April 12, 2025 the top story on the Palo Alto (California) online news site was “Silicon Valley Crosswalk Buttons Apparently Hacked to Imitate Musk, Zuckerberg Voices” It told the story, covered by other media too, of how someone hacked into audible pedestrian signals so they broadcast messages such as “From undermining democracy, to cooking our grandparents’ brains with AI slop, to making the world less safe for trans people, nobody does it better than us – and I think that’s pretty neat..”
Just dropped a new post. This one hits deep. Check it out and ask why RFK Jr wants a registry of people with autism. https://open.substack.com/pub/herinthehoodie/p/they-melted-our-hearts?r=5fij9h&utm_medium=ios