The rise of the new abolitionists
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
The rise of the new abolitionists (9zv0r.r.a.d.sendibm1.com)
In a journal article, Fuchs et al. refer to inclusion advocates as "abolitionists" and those supporting the status quo as "conservationists." In this edition of the Weeklyish, we clarify that the new abolitionists argue for the abolition of the dual special and general education system, advocating for special education to be viewed as a service, not a place, as stated in IDEA.
Accessibility Grants (southarts.org)
Grants of up to $2,500 for organizations to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities.
It's lonely to be the first (lucywebster.substack.com)
On wishing there was a path to follow
Reimagining Hollywood (easterseals.com)
We’re putting disability in Hollywood front and center. Over the course of a year, we gathered insights from more than 50 disabled creatives, studio and network leaders, and a nationwide survey of disabled audiences. What we learned: It’s time for a disability inclusion revolution.
Accessibility Initiatives Are Taking a Hit Across the Sciences (nytimes.com)
Confusion has ensued about the future of programs and research supporting people with disabilities as a result of President Trump’s executive order.
What the Assault on Public Education Means for Kids with Disabilities (archive.ph)
The future of the Department of Education may hinge on the world views of two billionaires who abhor what they perceive as weakness and waste.
Airlines sue to overturn rule against breaking wheelchairs (motherjones.com)
Major carriers are trying to overturn a Biden-era policy that ended decades of mistreatment.
Disability Rights Watch (disability-rights-watch.com)
This site is for aggregating breaking news and information about the state of disability rights and advocacy work in the United States, particularly the anti-DEIA attacks under the current administration, in an online space separate from the control of social media moguls.
Disabled Performers Advocate for Allies in Hollywood: ‘Inclusion Needs to Be a Movement and Not a Moment’ (variety.com)
The disabled community in Hollywood reminds their able-bodied colleagues to help join in the fight for equality and inclusion.
The Right Way to Develop Neurotechnology – Share Your Insights! (enil.eu)
Neurotechnology is an emerging field that explores different techniques for studying or modifying the way our brain and nervous system work.
‘The basis of eugenics’: Elon Musk and the menacing return of the R-word (theguardian.com)
The slur is rooted in the dehumanization of people with intellectual disabilities. Its resurgence threatens the fragile progress we’ve made
Ministers plan major changes to Send education in England (theguardian.com)
White paper being prepared as councils hope for relief from huge deficits in special educational needs budgets
Advocacy campaign in defence of the right to legal capacity makes progress (enil.eu)
This week ENIL adopted joint amendments together with EDF, Mental Health Europe, Inclusion Europe, Age Platform and EUCAP.
Lachi Chats with Diversability About Her New Project (mydiversability.com)
As a follow up to our highlight of Lachi ’s latest work, we asked Lachi about her new project, Mad Different . Read the tr anscript for our chat below.
Persons with disabilities need more care and support (disabilityinsider.com)
Half a million disabled people living in New Zealand households need more care or support in at least one important area of daily life, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
New equipment for a more accessible and inclusive beach (disabilityinsider.com)
The City is improving accessibility across the Gold Coast with two innovative installations to give people with disabilities easier access to the water.
AXSChat with David Agar & Penny Roberts (axschat.com)
David is a highly experienced tech sector entrepreneur, having previously led startups in the UK, EU and North America. He’s been in the FinTech space for 8 years and decided to setup his first social impact ‘fintech4good’ venture, BankAbility (with co-founder and wife, Penny Roberts). David and his team are building the world’s first accessibility-centric open banking technology to enable society’s most vulnerable people to manage their day-to-day finances.
AI-powered program to support writing skills for students with disabilities (disabilityinsider.com)
Researchers at the University of Kansas are developing and expanding a program that will give teachers new capabilities powered by AI to help students with disabilities improve their writing skills with immediate scoring and feedback.
Inevitable Foundation Is Evolving Its Accelerate Fellowship. Here’s How It Will Help Disabled Writers (inevitable.foundation)
Writers Sam Dunnewold and Ashley Eakin, alongside Inevitable’s president Richiel Siegel, discuss the industry challenges currently facing screenwriters and how the latester iteration of the 2025 Accelerate program aims to address it.
American Sign Language interpreters union alleges poor working conditions, asks FCC to intervene (tpr.org)
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar called for the FCC to host two town hall meetings with the union to improve services and working conditions.
Trump’s war on DEI comes for programs helping autistic students find jobs in STEM (independent.co.uk)
Programs meant to help autistic students study science have been caught in the Trump administration’s war on DEI, Eric Garcia reports
Vaccination rates are declining and measles cases are climbing. More preventable diseases could re-emerge next | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
The measles outbreak is surging in West Texas, especially in under-vaccinated communities, but it’s not just coverage with the measles vaccine that is lagging behind. The use of other key vaccines in the childhood immunization schedule has decreased too.
Kitty Cone: Advocate for Disability Rights (womenshistory.si.edu)
In 1977, there was no major legislation enforced by the government to ensure Americans with disabilities had equal rights. Kitty Cone and her fellow disability rights activists helped change that. Cone was one of the leading organizers of a sit-in where she and fellow activists occupied a federal building in San Francisco for more than 25 days. They demanded the government protect their rights by enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 said no program receiving federal funds could discriminate against people with disabilities.
To solve for doctor shortages, states ease licensing for foreign-trained physicians (npr.org)
Some states are trying to make it easier for doctors trained in other countries to work in the U.S. Skeptics say other licensing and hiring barriers could hamper this effort.
'Journey is not yet over': Wooster woman shares barriers deaf immigrants face in citizenship process (ideastream.org)
A Wooster woman recently became a U.S. citizen despite not having an American Sign Language interpreter at her test interview or naturalization ceremony.
As measles outbreak grows, HHS secretary says vaccination is a personal decision that can protect individuals and communities (edition.cnn.com)
As a measles outbreak in Texas has grown to nearly 150 cases, US Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in an opinion piece on Fox News on Sunday that parents should consult with health-care providers “to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine” for their children.
Labour assembly members reject plan for disability equality champion for London, despite previous backing (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Labour politicians have rejected plans put forward by a disabled people’s organisation that would have created a disability equality champion for London, despite backing the idea last year.
Opinion | The moment of truth: We must stop Trump (washingtonpost.com)
The candidate presents a threat to our democracy.
'I'm not disabled... It's how I was born' (swindonadvertiser.co.uk)
WHENEVER an athlete with a disability distinguishes himself on the world stage, pundits predictably applaud the victory of ‘mind over matter’.
Celebrating Creativity and Care: Mohammad Barrangi’s Mural at Pinderfields Hospital (weareunlimited.org.uk)
Discover the story behind Mohammad Barrangi's stunning Pinderfields Hospital mural in a short film by artist Suzie Cross, celebrating the NHS and its community.
Disabled People Have a Right to Shelter (ablenews.com)
In typical DRA style, we’re ringing in 2025 with a bang—tackling one of the most critical and pr Already a subscriber? Log in here. This story is free for you Create a free account and get more of Able News’ top stories directly to your inbox. Email Password Or, subscribe for unlimited access
Media Comment: Loudermilk and Disability Acceptance (rollingwithit.substack.com)
Or: Making Disability Acceptance Everyday
DaDaFest 2025: DDFI40 'Rage' (dadafest.co.uk)
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa's 40th Anniversary and this time we are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World (nytimes.com)
The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.
How to Be Disabled in a Pandemic (nyupress.org)
How to Be Disabled in a Pandemic documents the pivotal experiences of disabled people living in an early epicenter of COVID-19: New York City. Among those hardest hit by the pandemic, disability communities across the five boroughs have been disproportionately impacted by city and national policies, work and housing conditions, stigma, racism, and violence—as much as by the virus itself. Disabled and chronically-ill activists have protested plans for medical rationing and refuted the eugenic logic of mainstream politicians and journalists who “reassure” audiences that only older people and those with disabilities continue to die from COVID-19. At the same time, as exemplified by the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleToldYou, disability expertise has become widely recognized in practices such as accessible remote work and education, quarantine, and distributed networks of support and mutual aid. This edited volume charts the legacies of this “mass disabling event” for uncertain viral futures, exploring the dialectic between disproportionate risk and the creativity of a disability justice response.
Disability stats your way (disabilitystatistics.org)
Easily create and save maps, charts, and tables of national, state and local disability statistics
Understanding and Transforming the Medical Industrial Complex Part 2: Climate and Disability Justice Edition (healthjusticecommons.org)
This series focuses on the intersections of ableism, medical racism, and environmental racism and their entanglements with the Medical Industrial Complex (MIC). It explores the historic and ongoing connections of big pharma with corporate polluters and legacies of eugenics and genocide around the globe. The series also examines how the MIC itself underpins, perpetuates, and profits from the climate crisis and profound, ongoing violence and harm. You do not have to have taken Part 1 to enroll in and benefit from Part 2, we’ll provide resources to catch you up!
Mohammad Barrangi’s Stunning Mural at Pinderfields Hospital (youtube.com)
We're excited to share a short film by artist Suzie Cross documenting the creation of artist Mohammad Barrangi's mural at Pinderfields Hospital, made during their DEVELOP Residency.
Walter Annenberg Lecture Christine Sun Kim: Deaf Death (whitney.org)
Christine Sun Kim is an artist who works with sound, language, and the complexities of communication in her wide-ranging approach to artmaking. She uses musical notation, infographics, and language—both in her native American Sign Language (ASL) and written English—to create drawings, site-specific murals, paintings, video installations, and sculptures. For this Walter Annenberg Lecture, Kim presents “Deaf Death,” a lecture-performance that explores the tendency of text programs to autocorrect the word “deaf” to “death.” Using images and incisive commentary, Kim questions what defines disability, and how different definitions reflect fears and hopes for the future. A conversation between Kim and Scott Rothkopf, Alice Pratt Brown Director follows the presentation.
Film screening Spanish Cinema Now + 2025: Por donde pasa el silencio by Sandra Romero (kjcc.org)
We are thrilled to screen Por donde pasa el silencio, nominated for Best New Director at the Goya Awards, followed by a discussion with the film’s director, Sandra Romero.
Shaping the Future of Accessibility and Safety in Performing Arts Spaces (storytapestries.org)
Join the Network for Accessibility, Performing Arts, and Disaster Preparedness for the first of two Listening Sessions.Come tell your story, meet others exploring the connections between accessibility and safety, and help shape actionable strategies to enhance performing arts spaces. Whether you are an artist, audience member, arts administrator, accessibility worker, venue staff, event planner, or festival director, your voice matters.
Theme Park For Kids Puts Accessibility At The Forefront (disabilityscoop.com)
A new theme park is prioritizing the needs of children with disabilities as it opens its doors for the first time.
StopGap is recruiting a Board Chair! (stopgap.ca)
Helping communities discover the benefit of barrier free spaces and providing support to create them.
Narrative Change Plenary: (youtube.com)
Centering Community Voices, Building Strategic Campaigns
The curious case of Leland Dudek (thehandbasket.co)
How blind loyalty to Elon Musk took a Social Security Administration staffer from zero to lackey hero
Social Security Announces Change to Improve Agency Operations and Strengthen Protections (ssa.gov)
The Social Security Administration is announcing an organizational realignment of the functions provided by its Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight (OARO). These functions remain critical to ensure the programs Social Security administers are of high quality and effective, that SSA uses the latest tools to recommend opportunities to improve the programs, and to detect and prevent fraud.
Identity Politics and Disability Studies: A Critique of Recent Theory (quod.lib.umich.edu)
Despite its emergent field status, disability studies in the United States has been on the academic scene long enough to have developed its own critical conventions. One of these entails introducing the topic of disability by way of contrast: disability has been neglected as an identity category, while the concerns of other marginalized groups have been more scrupulously attended to.[1] Building upon this observation, the critics I will discuss in this essay have made groundbreaking political and theoretical interventions, insisting that disability must be understood as a social condition rather than an individual defect. Their claim that disability has received far less critical attention than race, gender, or sexuality is incontrovertible, and it is worth repeating. Nevertheless, the almost obligatory recitation of the charge calls for critical examination, especially insofar as it functions to prescribe, as a remedy, the installation of disability as another identity category. This recommendation is explicitly articulated by many prominent disability scholars, most of whom consider the central goals of disability studies to include forging a group identity. In Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity, Simi Linton writes that disabled people have "solidified as a group" and that her "experience as a disabled subject" and her "alliance with the community" are "a source of identity, motivation, and information" (5). David T. Mitchell and Sharon L. Snyder lament that "critical parallels with other minoritized identities have been slow in coming" (2). And for Rosemarie Garland Thomson, people with disabilities are "political minorities" whose oppression consists in part of having been denied "subjectivity or agency" (6; 11). Even Lennard J. Davis, who sounds a death knell for identity politics in Bending Over Backwards, nonetheless predicts in this book that disabled people's membership in what he designates "the most marginalized group" will paradoxically facilitate the emergence of disability as a "neoidentity" (29; 26).
Member of Elon Musk's DOGE team resigns after racist posts resurface (npr.org)
Marko Elez had recently been given special access by a federal judge to highly sensitive payment systems in the Department of Treasury.
Is Trump lying about cutting Medicaid — or is Congress? (vox.com)
Trump says Republicans won’t “touch” the program. But he left them a loophole.
Fireside Chats at #ZeroCon25 (a11ynews.substack.com)
A selection of talks I'm looking forward to, all live broadcasted on YouTube with live captioning in English and International Sign interpretation.
How to be Disabled in a Pandemic (disability-visibility-newsletter.ghost.io)
This is a topic close to my heart. So many people talk about the pandemic in past tense and this is simply not true. Immunocompromised and high risk people have been sharing their wisdom about masking and staying as safe as possible for the last five years in a world where we are considered disposable. I'm delighted to offer 5 paperback copies of How to be Disabled in a Pandemic edited by Mara Mills, Harris Kornstein, Faye Ginsburg, and Rayna Rapp. Details below.
Metaphor for Anxiety: How It Feels & How to Cope (urevolution.com)
Ever feel like anxiety is a storm, a tangled web, or a runaway train? Explore powerful metaphors for anxiety to understand, manage, and reframe your experience.
Values (yatil.net)
Why we do what we do and why others don’t share the same reasons.
Young people with cancer in England face seven-month wait for disability benefits (theguardian.com)
Charity calls for help to be speeded up as research shows families incur on average £700 a month in extra expenses
Disinvited to the party: A new administration means new challenges to people with disabilities (wheelieoutthere.blogspot.com)
Seeing the president quickly claiming that disabled workers and diversity, equity and inclusion programs played a part in the fatal Jan. 29 Washington D.C. air collision, when investigations were barely underway and no one knew anything for sure, was certainly a batten-down-the-hatches moment. Especially when it was soon apparent that there is a long record of close calls between military and civilian air traffic in that area, and even now the NTSB is looking at several possible causes including equipment malfunction that may have led the military aircraft to fly too high in the air space. Yet the knee-jerk response was to go after people with disabilities. Then, it’s not surprising from someone who publicly mocks the disabled for a laugh line.
Medicaid in Plain Language (meriahnichols.com)
Explaining Medicaid in plain language: an easy-to-understand guide to a very complex system, with links for further information
What is The Future of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in 2025? (urevolution.com)
Discover how DEI will evolve in 2025 amid political backlash. Learn how businesses can adapt and drive real diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Misdiagnosed Chronic Illness: A Story of Medical Dismissal (urevolution.com)
A misdiagnosed chronic illness left her unheard and unseen. This modern fairy tale explores the struggle for validation in a healthcare system that too often fails.
‘I focus on the person, not the disability’: the photographer on a mission to make India inclusive (theguardian.com)
After spending four years meeting people all over the country, Vicky Roy’s new book, Everyone is Good at Something, contains 100 inspirational life stories to raise awareness and combat taboos
The Los Angeles Wildfires Pose Great Health and Housing Risks, Especially for People with Disabilities (urban.org)
Disaster recovery efforts often fail to meet the housing and health needs of disabled people, so Los Angeles city officials will need to make a conscious effort to support disabled residents displaced by the wildfires.
Minnesotans with disabilities: Cutting Medicaid would leave us segregated (publicnewsservice.org)
Minnesotans with disabilities are among the vulnerable populations who say their quality of life would be upended if Congress approves steep Medicaid cuts. Self-advocates warn of difficulties in staying employed and living independently. The Republican-led House this week advanced a budget framework that calls for major spending reductions.
Despite lawsuit, Ga. attorney general, 16 other AGs declare support for landmark disability rights law (atlantanewsfirst.com)
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is one of 17 attorneys general from around the United States seeking to dismantle a key piece of disability rights law.
Rural Iowa 'critically short' of dementia services (msn.com)
Families of rural Iowans with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia face a crucial lack of mental health services and advocates are meeting with some rural residents today to assess their most important needs.
Disability Rights Are Under Attack: Here’s What You Can Do About It (linkedin.com)
The current administration has taken deliberate steps to dismantle key accessibility and equity measures—actions that disproportionately harm people with disabilities. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a calculated effort to roll back disability rights, dismantle accessibility measure
Notes from my Accessibility and Gen AI podcast appearence (simonwillison.net)
I was a guest on the most recent episode of the Accessibility + Gen AI Podcast, hosted by Eamon McErlean and Joe Devon. We had a really fun, wide-ranging conversation …
Living with Chronic Pain: Coping with Sciatica & Recovery (urevolution.com)
Struggling with chronic pain? Discover one man's journey with sciatica, recovery, and embracing uncertainty. Learn about coping strategies and resilience.
Coping When Married to a Chronically Ill Spouse (urevolution.com)
Struggling with the challenges of being married to a chronically ill spouse? Get expert advice on caregiving, communication, and emotional support.
What is a Spoonie? Life with Chronic Illness & Fatigue (urevolution.com)
What is a Spoonie? Living with chronic illness feels like running on low energy. Discover Spoon Theory & what it means to be a Spoonie.
Medicaid: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know (meriahnichols.com)
Medicaid: the health safety net for people with low incomes & disabilities. From doctor visits to secret bonus services (hello, waivers!), here's the scoop
How I Cured Vaginismus with Physical Therapy & Dilators (urevolution.com)
I struggled with vaginismus for years. Here's how pelvic floor therapy, vaginal dilators, and mental health support helped me enjoy pain-free intimacy.
‘We’re losing decades of our life to this illness’: long Covid patients on the fear of being forgotten (theguardian.com)
Five years on from March 2020, millions of people still face debilitating symptoms, with huge repercussions on public health and productivity. But politicians are starting to pretend the pandemic never happened
How an Inclusive Company Culture Drives Success (urevolution.com)
In 2025, some companies are scaling back DEI initiatives, but smart businesses know that inclusion isn’t just a trend—it’s a competitive advantage . A strong inclusive company culture fuels innovation, attracts top talent, and builds customer loyalty . Even as the corporate landscape shifts, organizations committed to diversity are finding creative ways to integrate DEI into everyday operations. From diversity and inclusion promotional items to targeted prospecting tools , inclusion remains a business growth strategy . Want to future-proof your workplace? Read on to learn how your company can thrive in the evolving DEI landscape.
Bill Gates Opens Up About Deciding to 'Explicitly' Mention Autism in Memoir, and Why Only in the Epilogue (people.com)
In his new memoir, Bill Gates reveals that had he been a kid today, he believes he likely would have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum
2025 Disability Day of Mourning Virtual Vigil (youtube.com)
Content Warning: fillicideWhat is the Day of Mourning?Every year on March 1st, the disability community comes together to remember the victims of filicide – ...
Trump Administration Abruptly Cuts Aid For Non-Profit That Produces Life-Saving Food For Kids (huffpost.com)
An estimated 300,000 children globally are expected to lose access to a nutrient-dense peanut butter that’s specially formulated to treat severe acute malnutrition.
Death of disabled woman failed by multiple agencies ‘must be catalyst for change’, say family (disabilitynewsservice.com)
The family of a disabled woman whose body lay undiscovered in her flat for more than three years say her death must be a “catalyst for change”, after the failure of multiple organisations to support and protect her.
This report describes cases of influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis among children during 2010-11 through 2024-25 flu seasons.
Palliative care doesn't mean a patient is at death's door. Here's why (cbc.ca)
Palliative care has an image problem. Dr. Samantha Winemaker, who has specialized in this field of medicine for 20 years, says most people incorrectly assume the practice is some kind of “Grim Reaper service.” But it's actually about living your best life, she says.
Bank surveillance bill could lead to greatest miscarriage of justice in British history, disabled activist tells MPs (disabilitynewsservice.com)
A disabled activist has told MPs that parliament could set in train the greatest miscarriage of justice in British history, if it approves new laws that would force banks to carry out mass surveillance of millions of disabled people.
House GOP Plan Targets Medicaid (kffhealthnews.org)
The House passed a budget plan that likely would result in major cuts to the Medicaid program. But the plan now faces a battle in the Senate, where even Republicans seem reluctant to dramatically reduce a health program that covers roughly 1 in 5 Americans. Meanwhile, federal judges and the Trump administration continue to differ over whether the administration has the authority to unilaterally cancel programs approved and funded by Congress and to fire federal workers. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.
Federal workers rally at Chicago VA hospital in protest of mass layoffs by Trump administration (abc7chicago.com)
Federal employees who work at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center on Chicago's Near West Side said some of their coworkers have already lost their jobs. They're now fearing that veterans benefits will be next, so they're fighting back.
US aid cuts will make world ‘less healthy, less safe and less prosperous’: Guterres (news.un.org)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday that severe cuts to humanitarian and development funding by the United States will have devastating consequences for millions of vulnerable people worldwide.
‘That could be your family member’: Rare diseases affect 30 million Americans (bostonglobe.com)
The National Organization for Rare Disorders is a coalition of patient advocacy groups and the first national nonprofit that represents patients and families affected by all rare diseases.
Sick and Skipped Over: How We Investigated the Organ Transplant System (nytimes.com)
Patients who spend years on waiting lists are not always the first to get organs, a Times investigation found.
Shifting Space (cbc.ca)
Shifting Space is a program about inclusive design and how to get around in a world that may not always be designed for those with disabilities in mind. It asks: is the person disabled or is it the environment that is disabling?
Much More Than That (chronicpainpartners.com)
Much More Than That is a 15-minute short film that delves into the lives of the Pollock family, who share deep connections that transcend their heritage. Jack and his mother Maria both live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare and challenging condition, and are also neurodivergent. As members of the LGBTQ community, Jack and Maria navigate the complexities of life at the intersection of disability and gender identity. This poignant film also reveals how Maria and Jack continuously support each other in finding their identities. Through resilience and love, the Pollocks redefine what it means to thrive amidst adversity.
Proud Stutter (chronicpainpartners.com)
Proud Stutter is a short film featuring Maya, who grew up with a stutter she believed she needed to overcome, embarking on a transformative journey of self-acceptance. Realizing that stuttering is simply another way of speaking, she creates a podcast to amplify the voices of those who share her experience. Through candid conversations, Maya creates a space where people who stutter can find strength, connection, and a voice.
Documentary Films on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (chronicpainpartners.com)
Over the last year, the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes have been increasingly present in media. Several films have depicted different aspects of the lived experience of families with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and comorbid conditions around the globe. The following is a dynamic list of documentary films on EDS and its comorbid conditions based on the release date.
The World's First Astronaut With a Physical Disability Is Cleared for Long-Duration Space Missions (smithsonianmag.com)
Paralympian John McFall has passed all the required medical exams and is now eligible for future travel to the ISS with the European Space Agency
Lebanon working to become certified Disability-Friendly City (wcax.com)
A New Hampshire community is taking steps to become a certified Disability-Friendly City.
The Hollywood Reporter (hollywoodreporter.com)
The multifaceted artist chats with The Hollywood Reporter about her journey to self-acceptance: “Society's going to do everything it can to make you hide the deepest parts of yourself."
Ocean plastics linked to disability risks for coastal residents (earth.com)
In counties with the highest levels of ocean plastics, the prevalence of disabilities was 15.2%, compared to 13.9% in areas with low levels.
A Life Rebuilt: Chris Rice’s success through accessibility at NSCC - NSCC Foundation (nscc.ca)
With the help of community and donor funding, NSCC student Chris Rice rebuilt his life after becoming paralyzed from the chest down after an accident in 2012.
Disability Justice Needs To Be a Part of Climate Justice (autostraddle.com)
Disabled people are not dying in disasters due to personal negligence or an unwillingness to leave — they are dying because emergency systems are not built with them in mind.
High Fish Consumption Tied to Less Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis (medpagetoday.com)
Both lean and oily fish were associated with better MS outcomes
Beyond the wheelchair: Local clinic helps bridge accessibility gap (dailymemphian.com)
At the Seating and Positioning Clinic in Arlington, workers improve the quality of life by building custom-made wheelchairs and positioning devices for Tennesseans of all ages with a range of disabilities.
Disability training needed for health professionals (abc.net.au)
Can you imagine being held down for a medical procedure, having discriminatory comments made about your child or not fully understanding why you're having an operation?
Most new homes built in Australia must include step free entrances, as well as wider doorways and hallways, in a bid to make future homes more accessible. All states and territories, expect New South Wales and Western Australia, have formally adopted new design standards over the past few years. But disability advocates say more should be done to make homes inclusive for all.
Exhausted Existence – A New Documentary on Living with EDS (chronicpainpartners.com)
For many living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), the road to diagnosis is long, exhausting, and often isolating. The upcoming documentary “Exhausted Existence – An EDS Story (2024)” aims to change that. This powerful film brings to light the struggles of those with EDS, the failures of the medical system, and the urgent need for greater awareness.
Complicated - the must-watch documentary on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (chronicpainpartners.com)
A new documentary on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Complicated, will soon be released. Chronic Pain Partners was honored to preview the film, which dives deep into many of our community’s challenges. Directed by award-winning and Oscar-shortlisted filmmaker Andrew Abrahams and co-produced by TCAPP board member and advocate Donna Sullivan, this film is the most comprehensive and accurate depiction of EDS in the media we have seen.
Filmmaker Andrew Abrahams on the New EDS Documentary 'Complicated' (chronicpainpartners.com)
Chronic Pain Partners' Karina Sturm was honored to speak with Andrew Abrahams, who has been directing the new Ehlers-Danlos documentary Complicated. Abrahams is an award-winning, two-time Academy Award-shortlisted producer/director of creative non-fiction films and the president of Open Eye Pictures. He is also a cinematographer and photographer. His documentary Under Our Skin, which highlights the chronic Lyme disease epidemic, received seven Best Documentary awards at international film festivals and was an Academy Award semifinalist for Best Documentary Feature. In this interview, Abrahams talks about the process of creating Complicated, how it changed his perspective, and how it will impact the community and make structural changes within the medical system.
Research Round-Up, Edition 4: Neurodivergence (chronicpainpartners.com)
Welcome to the latest edition of Research Round-Up! If you’ve missed previous editions and want to know what’s happening in the world of EDS research, click the links above.
Neurodivergence and Hypermobility: The Autism-EDS Connection (chronicpainpartners.com)
Chronic Pain Partners introduced the topic of neurodivergence and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in our first newsletter this year (January 2025), but autism has been shown to co-occur with EDS for many years, with an early published case dating back as far as 1993 and another in 2011. Neurodivergence comprises a whole host of conditions including, for example, Tourettes, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. This article focuses on the co-occurrence of autism and EDS/HSD, one of the more prominent forms of neurodivergence in the community.
Hypermobile and Hypersensitive? Understanding Sensory Processing Today (chronicpainpartners.com)
Tired of being told "you're too sensitive?" Let’s explore what it really means to be both hypermobile and highly sensitive (HSP), free from labels that divide and full of insight that informs and unites us.
A11y News is growing: Meet Maria (a11ynews.substack.com)
A wild editor appeared! She was cuter than the red underline, so I caught her.
Dating Someone with Mental Illness: Real Advice from Experience (urevolution.com)
Dating someone with mental illness? Get real, compassionate advice from someone who’s been there—both as a partner and as someone with mental illness.
Making a difference for disabled people with my own business (disabilityhorizons.com)
Visually impaired Daniel Williams tells us about how he's making a difference for disabled people when it comes to how accessible businesses make their services by setting up his own training business.
What to Do If a Friend Is Feeling Suicidal: How to Help (urevolution.com)
Not sure what to do if a friend is feeling suicidal? Learn how to support them with compassion, what to say, and how to help them seek professional help.
Why 'Just Get Over It' Is the Worst Advice Ever (urevolution.com)
Told to 'just get over it'? You're not alone. Explores why this phrase is harmful, especially for those dealing with mental health or a chronic illness.
10 things to avoid when meeting someone with a disability (disabilityhorizons.com)
Having spoken to a range of disabled people, Raya AlJadir rounds-up the 10 things people definitely shouldn’t do when meeting someone with a disability – you’ll probably recognise a lot of these!
ADHD Ableism: What It Is & How It Affects You (urevolution.com)
ADHD ableism is real—but often invisible. Learn what it is, real-life examples, and how to challenge harmful beliefs to embrace your ADHD identity.
What Are the Oppression Olympics? Meaning & Impact (urevolution.com)
The Oppression Olympics pits marginalized groups against each other. Learn what it means, who coined the term, and why we must stop playing this harmful game.
Five years on from the pandemic, how has Covid changed our world? (theguardian.com)
We asked a group of experts on politics, trade, literature, psychology, work and more: what has been the most surprising or shocking consequence of Covid-19 in your field?
Working with AAC Users (cripticarts.org)
A guide for working with people who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication in the arts, written by Dave Young (The Shouting Mute).
CRIPtic Arts x Liberty Festival 2025 (cripticarts.org)
As the Mayor’s flagship disability arts festival, Liberty leads the way, and our vision showcases bold, innovative work that excites, challenges and reframes disability for audiences across the capital. This year, disabled people will be creatively collaborating with local communities, and celebrating our existence. Through Liberty, CRIPtic will foster new creatives and develop experienced creatives, investing in work at every stage, from fresh ideas to world-class works, shaping the present and future of disability arts.
Trump’s War on Medicaid Will Institutionalize Millions of People (youtube.com)
Medicaid is important to disabled Americans for many reasons. One of the most specific and profound is that Medicaid is basically the only funding mechanism – public or private – that consistently pays for long-term home care and other services that make it possible for significantly disabled people to live in their own homes and avoid being "placed" in a nursing home or other institution. It's never been more important for disabled people in the U.S. to understand and get a grip on these detailed relationships – and around the world too maybe for those interested in continuing the move away from institutionalization as a way of "taking care of" disabled people.
Reviewing the iReach Mouthstick Stylus (newmobility.com)
The iReach Mouthstick Stylus is a good, lightweight tool that makes my homemade wooden-dowel mouthstick feel like a club. In fact, at 1 ounce or 29 grams, the iReach may be the lightest mouthstick on the market. Its lightness presumably makes for less stress on your teeth, jaw and neck — and it sure feels that way when you start using it. It’s just one quality that points to a thoughtfully designed product.
Lindsey Dryden: A Disabled And Queer Filmmaker (disabilityhorizons.com)
We speak to Lindsey Dryden about her career as a disabled and queer filmmaker, the launch of her production company and her thoughts on disability representation in the film industry.
ORF-Initiative "Mach dich sichtbar": Erste Auftritte für die Talente (bizeps.or.at)
Im ORF-Mediencampus in Wien fand das inklusive Casting der Initiative „Mach dich sichtbar“ statt. 25 Teilnehmer:innen mit Behinderungen präsentierten ihre Talente. Nun stehen die ersten von ihnen vor der Kamera.
Strategies for Supporting Parents with Disabilities when there is Child Protection Involvement (youtube.com)
An overview of ableism and discrimination within child protection and strategies for addressing these injustices. Presenters are Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot, Distinguished Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Arizona State University School of Social Work, and Dr. Kara Ayers, Associate Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
An Accessible 48 Hours in Montreal (newmobility.com)
I’ve been a huge hockey fan my whole life, and because I live in Florida, people often stare at me quizzically when they see me wearing a Montreal Canadiens shirt. They couldn’t know I grew up visiting Canada with my family and came to love Montreal, thanks to exploring it as a child.
RFK Jr. moves to eliminate public comment on HHS decisions (statnews.com)
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved to rescind the longtime practice of giving the public a chance to comment on the health agency’s plans.
NORD, Paramount Pictures Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Rare Disease (rarediseases.org)
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) is teaming up with Paramount Pictures to raise awareness of rare disease and fundraise to support the rare disease community in conjunction with the upcoming release of Novocaine, an action thriller starring Jack Quaid.
Intent vs. Impact in Relationships: Why Both Matter (urevolution.com)
Is the intent behind a statement more important than its impact? Learn how to navigate intent vs. impact in relationships with empathy and accountability.
Disability and entertainment: is there any difference between a writer with a disability and one without? (disabilityhorizons.com)
Hayleigh has a Masters in Creative Media Practises and is currently undertaking a Doctorate of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and she’s going to use her expertise to open up the world of entertainment to Disability Horizon’s readers. This month, is there any difference between a writer with a disability and one without?
Are you excited about Jonnie Peacock on Strictly Come Dancing? (disabilityhorizons.com)
Writer Carrie talks about the appearance of Paralympian Jonnie Peacock on Strictly Come Dancing and how it's a breakthrough for disability in the media.
Wyden Statement on Trump Plan to Fire Half of Social Security Workforce (finance.senate.gov)
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued a statement following reports that the Acting Commissioner has asked managers at the Social Security Administration to produce a plan that would result in the termination of 50 percent of workers at the agency.
Potential Medicaid cuts loom for incarcerated people needing health care (thebaltimorebanner.com)
People leaving Maryland prisons and state-run Baltimore jails often do so with complex medical needs, ranging from substance use disorder, to hypertension and diabetes.
Family say DWP has unanswered questions over death of disabled woman whose benefits were stopped (disabilitynewsservice.com)
The family of a disabled woman whose body lay undiscovered in her flat for more than three years after her benefits were stopped say they have serious unanswered questions about the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
On Thursday word came: No more USAID funds for a clinic that gets HIV meds to kids (npr.org)
Supported by USAID, the Ethiopian clinic provides lifesaving medicine for HIV-positive kids and teens to suppress the virus. First came the 90-day freeze — and now an immediate termination of support.
Hundreds of thousands of students with disabilities should be getting trained for work through pre-employment transition services — but aren't (hechingerreport.org)
At a time when Americans have made clear that access to training and good jobs is a top priority, the Pre-Employment Transition Services program, intended to provide that training for students with disabilities, is serving a fraction of the students it should.
Flu cases, hospital stays in the U.S. are at their highest in years. Here's how Rochester is faring (postbulletin.com)
Olmsted County experts say this winter's influenza season is one of the most severe since 2009's H1N1 pandemic.
Doctors for America discusses lawsuit against federal agencies (wgnradio.com)
Dr. Reshma Ramachandran, Assistant Professor at Yale School of Medicine and on the Board of Directors of Doctors for America, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the lawsuit against the CDC, FDA, and OPM for the removal of pertinent medical information on their websites.
Easy Language Content Promotes Autonomy, Citizenship for People with Disabilities (gadim.org)
GADIM creator and co-founder Patricia Almeida, who is an Easy Language specialist, collaborated with the Fiocruz National School of Public Health in Brazil for a series of Easy Language booklets on health topics for people with disabilities.
Opinion | The Covid Alarmists Were Closer to the Truth Than Anyone Else (nytimes.com)
Five years since a novel virus spread everywhere, it’s hard to remember what the beginning was like.
Window Shopping with Helen Keller (windowshoppingwithhelenkeller.com)
How encounters between architects and people with disabilities helped to shape modern culture.
It Ends Here (theodysseyonline.com)
I am the child of an addict. I am more than the statistic that comes with that.
‘Nightmare’ travel experience leaves Portland wheelchair rugby team trapped in airport (oregonlive.com)
Players for the Portland Pounders say United Airlines failed to accommodate them.
Butler County is first in Ohio to get seal of approval for travelers with accessibility needs (wcpo.com)
Butler County museums, parks and hotels went through a special program to let people know they've been boosted for accessibility.
From Struggles To Solutions: How Neha Arora Is Pioneering Accessible Travel In India (outlooktraveller.com)
Neha Arora, founder and CEO of Planet Abled, talks to Outlook Traveller about why she started her own inclusive travel company, the achievements she has notched up, what keeps her going, and more
Inside One Teacher’s Effort to Help Students Take Charge of Their Own Learning (educatingalllearners.org)
While teaching high school math in Washington, D.C., Robert Barnett faced a common classroom dilemma: how to best instruct students who learn at different paces.
Navigating Special Education with Open Communication (educatingalllearners.org)
Expert IEP founder Antoinette Banks outlines how special education has been chronically underfunded for decades—and how the potential dismantling of the Department of Education adds new complications.
Renovations to improve accessibility underway in the county (henrycountyenterprise.com)
The Henry County Administration Building is undergoing another round of renovations, this time focusing on upgrading public restrooms to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The improvements are part of a broader effort to modernize the aging facility, which was originally built in 1974 and has seen limited updates outside of technology upgrades. [...]
Deaf AI – Experience The Digital World The Right Way (deaf-ai.com)
Deaf AI is built to serve people who are deaf to have better experiences in public life and the digital world.
A Tech Group Developing High-Impact Socio-Ecological Solutions (awl-e.com)
Enhancing the well-being of individuals with reduced autonomy, as well as optimising the operations surrounding their living environments are fundamental to our core values. Our unwavering focus on product quality ensures the utmost satisfaction of users, their families, and the numerous professionals who rely on our tools. We strive to create pioneering technological solutions that drive innovation across diverse industries.
Disability rights advocates raise concerns over federal lawsuit (ktvh.com)
On Monday, advocates gathered in Helena, seeking to deliver a message to Attorney General Austin Knudsen about a federal lawsuit that they said is threatening protections for people with disabilities.
Savannah schools 504 disability services uncertainty due to lawsuit (eu.savannahnow.com)
Concerns were raised this past week in Atlanta about Georgia's AG decision to join a lawsuit concerning student disability services.
Disability community is 'outraged' over lawsuit that could weaken protections (19thnews.org)
Advocates say the suit over transgender protections imperils federal safeguards for people with disabilities.
GOP AGs declare support for landmark disability rights law after backlash | AP News (apnews.com)
Republican state attorneys general have declared their continued support for a landmark civil rights law that protects disabled people’s rights. They're responding to parents who publicly aired their fears this week that their disabled children could lose services because of an effort by the Republican officials against transgender rights. The attorneys general of 17 states told a federal judge this week that a lawsuit they filed in September targets only a rule imposed last year by the Biden administration to protect transgender rights under federal anti-discrimination laws. Disabled rights advocates said the lawsuit was more broadly written, but the state officials said they are not attacking a landmark 1973 anti-discrimination law.
Grandma Stand offers a respite and advice for overwhelmed New Yorkers - ABC7 New York (abc7ny.com)
The Grandma Stand is a portable pop-up offering New Yorkers a place to take a seat and take a breath.
Grandma Stand offers a respite and advice for overwhelmed New Yorkers - ABC7 New York (abc7ny.com)
The Grandma Stand is a portable pop-up offering New Yorkers a place to take a seat and take a breath.
People with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters, Census data shows (nbcnews.com)
After disasters, people with disabilities are more likely to be displaced, more likely to never return home and more likely to receive scam offers, Census Bureau data shows.
Shane Burcaw Posts Rare Photos of Outside of Wheelchair (people.com)
Shane Burcaw posted rare photos of himself outside of his own wheelchair, opening up about his courageous decision to do so in a lengthy caption on Instagram.
Nonprofits Sue Over Trump’s “Anti-Equity” Orders - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly (nonprofitquarterly.org)
Nonprofits have sued to stop the Trump administration. In a recent lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege a “full-scale assault” on nonprofits.
March at Green Square Park protests policies affecting marginalized groups (cbs2iowa.com)
A march was held today at Green Square Park to protest recent executive orders and bills that target diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs.T
Wheelchair rugby team stuck at Louisville airport without support (eu.courier-journal.com)
Members of a wheelchair rugby team say United Airlines staff at the Louisville airport were unprepared to assist them.
Centenarians share their longevity formula: ‘Staying busy gives you purpose’ (msn.com)
The hunt for a faster, more accessible Alzheimer’s test (nature.com)
Most methods for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease are slow, labour intensive, and must be conducted in a hospital. Could a simple blood test help patients get treatment earlier?
Lawmakers seek to make all new playgrounds accessible | News | princewilliamtimes.com (princewilliamtimes.com)
Public playgrounds would be added to the list of places in Virginia required to be fully accessible for people with disabilities, under legislation headed to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk.
Initiative to increase accessibility for neurodivergent theatergoers will continue into spring 2025 (broadwaynews.com)
Seats on the Spectrum, a collaboration with TDF, launched in October 2024 with Roundabout and New Victory Theater.
SF Business Entrance Accessibility Law Expected to Be Scrapped (sfpublicpress.org)
The city is expected eliminate a local business entrance accessibility requirement after having postponed enforcement six times.
Antidepressants may worsen dementia decline — what to know (nypost.com)
New research suggests that certain antidepressants could accelerate cognitive decline in dementia patients, though outside experts urge caution in interpreting the findings.
What Can I Do? Eric Swierczek on Adult-Onset Disability and Greater Inclusion - Word on Fire (wordonfire.org)
Eric Swierczek accepted his disability, and his Pocket Pine Hill ministry teaches us that accessibility and inclusion are achievable goals.
Commission on Disability cites CPC denial of library accessibility funding as example of not understanding disability community needs - Hopkinton Independent (hopkintonindependent.com)
The Commission on Disability at its Monday night meeting discussed pursuing new funding opportunities for accessibility improvements to the library,
The Airbnb of Accessible Travel | Amplitude | Disability (livingwithamplitude.com)
If you’re looking for disability-friendly accommodations, Becoming Rentable has a database of more than 1,000 thoroughly vetted accessible short-term rentals—everything from private residences to hotel rooms, lodges, and cabins.
DEI and Accessibility, Explained | ACLU (aclu.org)
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies…
The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion | TIME (time.com)
1.3 billion people have a disability. DEI cuts could make their lives more difficult, writes Jessica Smith.
Arlington clinic helps TN residents with accessibility aids - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian (dailymemphian.com)
West Tennessee Seating and Positioning Clinic on the campus of Tennessee’s Department of Disability and Aging at 11437 Milton Wilson Drive in Arlington helps people with wheelchairs and other aids.
Wisconsin Offers a Wealth of Activities for People of all Abilities | Travel Wisconsin (travelwisconsin.com)
Wisconsin Offers a Wealth of Activities for People of all Abilities
The Most Accessible National Parks for Visitors With Disabilities | TravelPulse (travelpulse.com)
Prosthetics company isBrave analyzed Tripadvisor reviews to identify the most accessible national parks in the U.S.
As the province falls short of accessibility goals, Huntsville leaders focus on workplace inclusion for people with disabilities | Spare News | pentictonherald.ca (pentictonherald.ca)
With Ontario failing to meet its goal of achieving full accessibility under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, communities and individuals are left with lingering questions about how the
British Paralympian reviews accessibility of new Merseyrail trains (railadvent.co.uk)
Tanni Grey-Thompson tries out Merseyrails new fully accessible trains
Award for Bristol coach, 13, who shows disability is no barrier (bbc.com)
Cameron has been made Premier League Community Champion for his efforts to connect children with football.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson delivers verdict on accessibility of new Merseyrail fleet – Birkenhead News (birkenhead.news)
British Paralympic legend and disability rights campaigner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has thanked Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseyrail for showing what "can be done" to make
Cape Breton man stuck in hospital due to no accessible units | PNI Atlantic News (saltwire.com)
A 66-year-old man, who uses a wheelchair after becoming paralyized after surgeries, can't find affordable, accessible rentals in the CBRM.
Cape Breton man stuck in hospital due to no accessible units | PNI Atlantic News (saltwire.com)
A 66-year-old man, who uses a wheelchair after becoming paralyized after surgeries, can't find affordable, accessible rentals in the CBRM.
‘Always room to learn’: Reactions to Channel 4’s accessibility target - The Media Leader (uk.themedialeader.com)
As part of its "business for good" ethos, the broadcaster plans to launch a competition to reward five B Corp companies with free airtime.
Guide Dogs campaign urges businesses to make dining out more accessible - ABC News (abc.net.au)
A Guide Dogs campaign urges hospitality businesses to make small modifications to help people with vision impairment or blindness enjoy their spaces.
Symbolic inclusion, real exclusion (deccanherald.com)
Symbolic inclusion, real exclusion
The Daily — Persons with disabilities or long-term conditions and barriers in their online activities, 2024 (www150.statcan.gc.ca)
In 2024, almost half (45%) of persons with disabilities or long-term conditions reported having faced barriers in their online activities because of their condition.
Bristol travel plans reworked to boost disability access (bbc.com)
Concerns were raised during a consultation into planned changes to roads in Bristol city centre.
Belle Owen was excited to buy her first home, but it was not exactly perfect – a year in, it still is not fully accessible. There are hopes recent changes to the National Construction Code will improve housing options, but some advocates say it does not go far enough.
Tooting station accessibility scheme completed - Rail UK (railuk.com)
Tooting station accessibility scheme completed - Stations
Access to polling stations must be a top priority for the city and the province with the Ontario election just two days away, advocates for people with disabilities say.
Accessibility must be a White Rock priority: advocate - North Delta Reporter (northdeltareporter.com)
Current plan needs input from accessibility advisory committee
Man's pride as 54 accessible toilets installed at service stations (bbc.com)
Zack Kerr has been campaigning for Changing Places facilities at motorway service stations since 2017.
www.unesco.org (unesco.org)
“I Was Born for the Battle, and I Live for the Fight,” said Sai Mohith Vissa, one of the top eight winners of the Global Ability Photography Challenge 2024.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced the launch of the the Accessibility Program for People with Disabilities in Riyadh City. It aims to create a built environment that enables residents and visitors with disabilities to access, navigate, and engage in various activities with ease and independence
How a PLS Scholar is working to increase accessibility and representation for disabled people across the world | George W. Bush Presidential Center (bushcenter.org)
Why advocating for accessibility accommodations in school is crucial (pulmonaryhypertensionnews.com)
Columnist Anna Jeter shares memories from high school and the lessons she's learned about advocating for accessibility and accommodations.
Lost in Translation: How Confusing Signs Create Accessibility Barriers - Hospitality & Catering News (hospitalityandcateringnews.com)
Revolutionizing Accessibility: The Best Apps for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Users - Tech Guide (techguide.com.au)
All those people who go out with big claims that they are “Born in the wrong time” just outright ignore how privileged they are. If you doubt this, just go on YouTube and look up colorblind people seeing color for the very first time or deaf babies hearing their mother’s voice for the very first
We have a right to be angry (disabilitydebrief.org)
Protests in France, seismic shifts in the US and curated news from 45+ countries
(10) Passenger Lifts at Stations: The Ups and Downs of Accessibility (accessiblelink.substack.com)
More lifts, more passengers but declining reliability
The digital accessibility revolution: Why states are taking the lead - Route Fifty (route-fifty.com)
COMMENTARY | While the federal government lacks comprehensive guidelines, states are the primary policymakers and are making organizations think again about digital inclusion.
The world is experiencing a massive demographic shift marked by the increasing proportion of older persons. This trend may continue until 2050, leading most countries into a state of “population ageing”. The Arab region is also witnessing a noticeable rise in the number of older persons, a trend projected to persist until 2050. This demographic shift in Arab countries is driven by factors such as fertility, mortality and migration, as well as the development of systems that contribute to longer life expectancy, such as healthcare, social and educational systems.
Attitude is Everything – Reimagining Accessible Events - Access All Areas (accessaa.co.uk)
Alex May Covell, interim head of live events access at Attitude is Everything provides her perspective on how its recently published Live Events Access Charter has been created to help accessible events be reimagined with community and innovation at the their heart. Attitude is Everything’s new Live Events Access Charter, which launched officially on 12 […]
Hello AI Agents: Goodbye UI Design, RIP Accessibility (jakobnielsenphd.substack.com)
Autonomous agents will transform user experience by automating interactions, making traditional UI design obsolete, as users stop visiting websites in favor of solely interacting through their agent.
If you’ve heard the term “Section 508” but aren’t quite sure what it means for your organization, you’re not alone. Many businesses, federal agencies, and contractors struggle to navigate accessibility laws—especially when it comes to digital content. So, let’s break it down. What is Section 508? Who does it apply to? And, most importantly, how […]
Generic LLM Chatbot Attestation (adrianroselli.com)
LLM-powered chatbots are here to stay. As a result, I am playing around with a disclaimer to recommend for clients. After all, if the LLM says that it’s fine to mix chlorine and ammonia to clean the sink, then that chatbot user needs to be told to probably confirm it before unintentionally killing themselves.
Generic LLM Chatbot Attestation (adrianroselli.com)
LLM-powered chatbots are here to stay. As a result, I am playing around with a disclaimer to recommend for clients. After all, if the LLM says that it’s fine to mix chlorine and ammonia to clean the sink, then that chatbot user needs to be told to probably confirm it before unintentionally killing themselves.
Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke | AP News (apnews.com)
Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year.
(25) Wake up, time to DEI | LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
Wake up, Time to DEI We can’t be it if we can’t see it We’re less than two months into the second Donal Trump presidency and the concern around the binning of many DEI initiatives continues to raise concerns across the disability community, and it seems the media industry is unlikely to be immune. M
Is voting accessible to all? | The Pointer (thepointer.com)
Is voting accessible to all?
WCAG 3 a change of context (html5accessibility.com)
The old skool WCAG 2x definition of a web page is not fit for purpose when WCAG is used to test non web user interfaces as it is, for example native apps it leads to suboptimal outcomes. There has been much work done in the past and in the present to define a view for conformance purposes. This effort is currently ongoing as part of W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group WCAG 3 work
The Center for Inclusion to host 'Embrace Accessibility' event to spread awareness for disability resources - The Exponent (bwexponent.com)
The Center for Inclusion [CFI] will host an event to spread awareness for accessibility and disability resources on campus and to encourage communication among students and faculty. This event, taking place on Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Union lobby, will have different tables and activities set up to provide resources...
Accessibility, Consent and Therapy Dogs: TCDSU Welfare Candidate Deirdre Leahy on Creating a Trinity for All – The University Times (universitytimes.ie)
SSD advocates for increased funding to support students with disabilities, passage of related State Senate bill - Pipe Dream (bupipedream.com)
=Services for Students with Disabilities, the University office that promotes accessibility and educational development, met last week with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo MA ‘84 on Zoom...
The accelerated digitalization of secondary education following the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the nature of learner engagement and participation with various knowledge resources. From digital lessons to gamification to integrated smart technologies capable of supporting specific learner needs, the opportunity for inclusion and universal accessibility is unprecedented. This study represents an important extension of prior research in this field, combining multiple empirical studies regarding smart technologies, accessibility effects, and learner quality of life (QoL) into a blueprint for future educational applications. Through a systematic literature review (SLR), studies from multiple databases using multiple empirical methods have been identified and thematically compared. The findings reveal that while smart technologies have the potential to revolutionize inclusive education, accessibility gaps persist, particularly for students with special needs, leading to disparities in learning opportunities and outcomes. Such gaps stem from insufficiently adaptive technologies, inadequate teacher training, and limited resource allocation for underserved communities. By targeting a bottom-up, participative design approach to technological identification and integration, a broader range of student needs can be accommodated, and technological accessibility can be ensured for a larger percentage of the secondary student population. This study recommends improving educational outcomes for all students, especially those with special needs, by prioritizing the development of adaptable, inclusive technologies and continuous utility assessments. This research synthesizes findings from multiple studies to evaluate the impact of smart accessibility on adolescent learning and quality of life, providing a framework for assessing and improving technological integration in secondary education.
Small Business Development Center offers free workshop on accessibility | Business | newportnewstimes.com (newportnewstimes.com)
The Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce that its upcoming workshop, “A Day in the Life of Disability,” will now be offered at no
Making Duane Physics More Accessible: Upgrading Lecture Hall G1B30 | Physics | University of Colorado Boulder (colorado.edu)
The Duane Physics building at the University of Colorado Boulder has long been a hub for groundbreaking science education, but until recently, its
New regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act that will impact UC | UCnet (ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu)
New DOJ regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act require updated accessibility standards for all digital properties.
Updated technology can help UMD become more accessible (dbknews.com)
Too often, it feels like disabled students are an “afterthought” in the grand scheme of this university’s community.
Anti-Ableist Amherst: Remembering Accessibility in New Policy (amherststudent.com)
In light of recent housing policy changes that harm and exclude students with disabilities, Managing Opinion Editor Emeritus Willow Delp ’26 urges the college to provide more resources for students to have their accessibility needs met and feel a greater sense of belonging within the community.
The Accessibility Atlas - Advice for Navigating Uni and Disability (salient.org.nz)
By Hope Cotton (she/her) Starting university can be intimidating for us all. When you add the extra challenges of navigating an inaccessible world, it’s no wonder I was such a nervous fresher. New disabled students don’t just worry about finding lecture theatres, making friends, and choosing the coolest outfits for O-Week, they’re stressing about physical access to classes and organizing accommodations like sign language interpreters or notetakers. There’s a lot to plan and so many questions to
AI tools transform accessibility for Deaf, Deafblind • The Tulane Hullabaloo (tulanehullabaloo.com)
Society has strived to overcome challenges faced by the Deaf and Deafblind communities by developing accessibility tools.
Encouraging digital accessibility: Design at UCI | New University | UC Irvine (newuniversity.org)
CQU launches first ever beach accessibility course – Bundaberg Now (bundabergnow.com)
CQU has launched the U-BEACH Introduction to Beach Accessibility micro-credential, the first of its kind world-wide.
Accessibility at Covenant—Reopening the Conversation — THE BAGPIPE (bagpipeonline.com)
Covenant is battling a tension between two powerful forces: the needs of those living with disabilities, and limited resources to provide for those needs.
Elon University sees disabled campus account access - Elon News Network (elonnewsnetwork.com)
All Elon University campus account access is disabled following an outage Feb. 21. Due to the disabled account access students cannot access their Ontrack, Moodle, email and other services that require them to log in with their Elon account. According to an E-Alert sent out at 10:07 p.m., Elon University Information Technology Services is aware of and working to resolve campus account access issues. Elon IT is closed and did not respond to Elon News Network’s immediate request for comment.
Winter wonderland not so wonderful for accessibility – The Times-Delphic (timesdelphic.com)
Sophomore Caroline Hill, an electric wheelchair user, was heading down the hill in front of her residence hall before her 9:30 a.m. class when her wheelchair lost traction on the ice. “I can feel the wheels losing traction slowly as I’m going down, and I’m trying desperately to run the joystick, and it’s just not...
Minnesota Court Rules Websites Are Public Accommodations Under ADA - Ogletree (ogletree.com)
NEW Episode of Accessible Life: A Law That's Helping People Lead Their Own Lives | Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (opwdd.ny.gov)
Serial Plaintiff Seeking to Enforce a Delinquent Settlement Payment Gets a Sharp Judicial Rebuke from EDNY Federal Judge | ADA Title III (adatitleiii.com)
By: Pamela C. Huynh, Minh N. Vu and John W. Egan Seyfarth Synopsis: Concerned that serial plaintiffs are not actually ensuring that defendants are
American, Southwest among airlines challenging Biden-era accessibility rules | KERA News (keranews.org)
The case is filed against the U.S. Department of Transportation, and it’s unclear whether the Trump administration will defend it.
State Attorneys General Issue Multistate Guidance on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Crowell & Moring LLP (crowell.com)
On February 13, 2025, a coalition of sixteen state attorneys general issued a “Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiatives” (the Guidance).…
Legal Landscape on Digital Accessibility in Germany (datenschutz-notizen.de)
Over recent years, Germany has taken significant strides in legislating accessibility for both public and private sectors. Read more.
Disability group sues Denver over shelter accessibility | News | denvergazette.com (denvergazette.com)
A coalition of disabled homeless people has filed a lawsuit against Denver over accessibility issues with several of the city’s shelters.
Comptroller audits Floral Park for accessibility amid ADA suit (longislandpress.com)
The state’s most recent round of municipal audits included an examination of physical accessibility in Floral Park as the village faces an active ADA lawsuit.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle | Mass Transit (masstransitmag.com)
Request for Bids to Procure a Wheelchair Accessible VehicleCommunity Transportation Network, Inc. (CTN) is seeking bids in the form of a proposals from qualified firm(s) for the...
Good Deed: UTC enhances ARC accessibility with financial support from the American Water Charitable Foundation | Chattanooga Times Free Press (timesfreepress.com)
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) recently was awarded a $10,000 grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation.
A' Accessibility, Assistive Technologies, and Inclusive Design Award Announces Comprehensive Prize Package for 2024 (fox5sandiego.com)
Get the latest San Diego news, breaking news, weather, traffic, sports, entertainment and video from fox5sandiego.com. Watch newscasts from FOX 5/KSWB and KUSI.
Mayor Harrell Issues Executive Order to Improve the Accessibility of City Resources and Information - Office of the Mayor (harrell.seattle.gov)
New Partnership Launches THE ACCESSIBILITY LAB to Advance Inclusive Hospitality Innovation (counton2.com)
Count on 2 for the latest news, weather and breaking news in the Lowcountry
SVG Europe Women Scotland ‘Accessibility and Inclusion’ focuses on investing for inclusivity (svgeurope.org)
[caption id=attachment_115081 align=aligncenter width=715] The SVG Europe Women Scotland 2025 panel titled Why, what and how: Making sports ...
Independent Living Solutions Expands Accessibility With Expert Stair Lift Installation In Colorado | FinancialContent Business Page (markets.financialcontent.com)
Independent Living Solutions Expands Accessibility With Expert Stair Lift Installation In Colorado
Pioneer Works Unveils $12.7 Million Renovation to Boost Accessibility and Arts Programming - BKReader (bkreader.com)
The historic Red Hook cultural center completes major upgrades, enhancing inclusivity and expanding community programs.
CareCo reaffirms commitment to accessibility with Disability Confident Leader accreditation - THIIS Magazine (thiis.co.uk)
Mobility retailer CareCo has reaffirmed its commitment to accessibility and inclusion by obtaining Level 3 accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader. The accreditation, which was issued on 1st February 2025, was sought because CareCo wants its employees to know they are supported from the recruitment process, throughout their career with CareCo. Jane Bunting, Head of
Residents take the plunge at forest lake, raising over $28K for Special Olympics Missouri (ktvo.com)
Residents from all over northeast Missouri made their way to Forest Lake swimming beach at Thousand Hills State Park on Saturday.
By the Numbers: Overviewing the CTA system (dailynorthwestern.com)
The Chicago Transit Authority will have key opportunities to upgrade its system’s lines in the coming years. The CTA secured federal funding in January to extend its Red Line. Additionally, the CTA laid out its plans for making all of its 146 stations Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible. As of 2024, 104 stations are accessible. The...
Seattle mayor launches plain language initiative ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup - Everett Post (everettpost.com)
(The Center Square) – Seattle is updating its website to be more accessible for people with disabilities and is using […]
First-of-Its-Kind Accessibility Lab Brings Assistive Tech to the Hospitality Industry (wric.com)
8News is your source for local news and weather in Richmond and Central Virginia
Media Advisory - Government of Canada invests to increase accessibility in an inclusive cultural space (finance.yahoo.com)
Iowa HHS announces Intent to Award for Disability Access Points | Health & Human Services (hhs.iowa.gov)
Iowa HHS announces Intent to Award for seven entities to serve as Disability Access Points.
Clearcast’s Ad Accessibility and Green Courses are Now CPD Certified | LBBOnline (lbbonline.com)
Little Black Book, Clearcast can come to your offices, arrange a venue, or train you online at a time and date that works for you
New way to find information about accessibility features at City facilities | City of Winnipeg (winnipeg.ca)
New accessibility guide helping disabled people make the most of Cornwall (uk.news.yahoo.com)
SCSIS introduces accessibility module for people with disabilities (azernews.az)
The State Service for Special Communications and Information Security (SCSIS) has launched a new accessibility module designed to enhance the usability of state information resources for people with disabilities, Azernews reports.
Toyota Mobility Foundation and Urban Tech Hub Help Speed Growth for Accessibility and Active Mobility Innovators - Toyota USA Newsroom (pressroom.toyota.com)
Mobility is personal. The freedom to get where we want to go empowers choice and helps us assert our individuality. But to open new or blocked roads to independence, it’s often the power of groups that push progress to go […]
Aer Lingus Sets New Standards in Air Travel Accessibility by Embracing Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, Providing Patience and Understanding to Passengers with Non-Visible Disabilities - Travel And Tour World (travelandtourworld.com)
Aer Lingus has proudly joined the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, a significant step toward making travel more inclusive and supportive
Chili improving accessibility after state audit (spectrumlocalnews.com)
The town says it will fulfill all recommendations by early spring.
Chattanooga Zoon And Partnership Host Event To Serve Deaf Community And Raise Awareness Around Accessibility - Chattanoogan.com (chattanoogan.com)
Houston transit authority unveils ‘METRONow’ initiative focused on cleanliness, safety and ridership – Houston Public Media (houstonpublicmedia.org)
The regional transit authority’s flagship initiative has changed from “METRONext” to “METRONow.” According to observers, it’s mostly a rebrand of existing priorities.
SeaWorld Orlando expands park accessibility with launch of American Sign Language (ASL) Saturdays « Amusement Today (amusementtoday.com)
As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all, SeaWorld Orlando is proud to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) Saturdays. Partnering with American Sign Language Ser…
LambdaTest Introduces iOS VoiceOver Testing on Real (globenewswire.com)
LambdaTest's latest feature enables seamless VoiceOver testing on real iOS devices, ensuring accurate accessibility evaluation....
How APD’s YesToAccess app is empowering persons with disabilities | YourStory (yourstory.com)
YesToAccess, launched by The Association of People with Disability (APD), is an AI-powered mobile app designed to evaluate public spaces for accessibility.
Roosevelt Park Zoo’s long-standing efforts ensure accessibility for sensory-sensitive visitors (kfyrtv.com)
The zoo offers sensory bags filled with noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, communication cards and more.
Google Drive rolls out video transcription for enhanced accessibility: How the feature works | Mint (livemint.com)
Google Drive now features video transcripts, improving content navigation. Users can view and search transcripts, with videos jumping to specific timestamps.
iTWire - Williams AV unveils SoundPlus® T3 and Auracast to redefine accessibility in assistive listening (itwire.com)
COMPANY NEWS: One in six Australians experience hearing loss, a figure expected to rise to one in four by 2050.[1] This growing need for high-quality, accessible audio systems is addressed by Williams AV with two new innovations: the SoundPlus® T3 Infrared Transmitter, available from March 2025, and the Auracast solution, launching locally after its debut at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025.
IKEA unveils commitment to digital accessibility for inclusive retail | Ingka Group (ingka.com)
IKEA is unveiling a new vision for digital accessibility and inclusion, reaffirming its commitment to creating digital experiences that are intuitive, inclusive, and welcoming to all. Customers and co-workers will experience improvements in our digital solutions, ensuring inclusive and user-friendly online interactions.
PayPoint boosts accessibility for retailers with new translated guides (talkingretail.com)
PayPoint has taken further steps to increase the accessibility of its services by making key training guides available for retailers in Urdu, Indian
DC Metro system teams up to improve accessibility for the visually impaired (emergingtechbrew.com)
Navigation app Waymap aims to expand the reach of its tech after launching across DC’s Metro system.
Winnipeg launches webpage for accessibility disruptions | Winnipeg Sun (winnipegsun.com)
The City of Winnipeg has launched a new online resource to provide real-time updates on temporary accessibility disruptions. Read on.
Columbus Zoo expands Quiet Hours for sensory-friendly visits (cwcolumbus.com)
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is enhancing its commitment to inclusion and sensory accessibility by expanding its Quiet Hours throughout 2025.
Nvidia launching AI platform to make learning sign language easier | CNN Business (edition.cnn.com)
Imagine having a language tutor who was always on, available anytime to teach you new vocabulary or check up on your progress.
Snapp handle: design with sustainability and accessibility : DesignWanted (designwanted.com)
Verum presents an affordable handle – Snapp, designed by Alessandro Stabile – that combines innovation, social impact, and Italian craftsmanship.
“Kyiv Digital has launched an accessibility map (unn.ua)
The Kyiv Digital app has launched an online map of accessibility with information on barrier-free entry and other amenities. More than 1,200 facilities have already been marked on the map, and their number will continue to grow.
Revolutionizing Accessibility: NVDA's Leap into AI (tumirador.com.ar)
Revolutionizing Accessibility: NVDA's Leap into AI - Tumirador
Charity Digital - Topics - An A-Z glossary of technology and IT terms and definitions (charitydigital.org.uk)
We have compiled an extensive and exhaustive glossary of all the phrases and terminology associated with IT and technology, ranging from accessibility to zero-hour exploits
Good Trouble launches AbleToPlay to help gamers with disabilities find accessible games | VentureBeat (venturebeat.com)
Good Trouble unveiled AbleToPlay an accessibility-first games discovery platform to help gamers with disabilities find accessible games.
Dyspraxia Foundation USA – Understand, Support, Accept (dyspraxiausa.org)
This neurological disorder often affects motor skills, but very few know what it is — or how it affects kids and adults. Odds are you know someone with Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is a condition where the neurons in the brain that control motor skills and
EA’s Patent Pledge for Increasing Accessibility (ea.com)
At EA, we believe that it’s imperative to meet the needs of diverse populations in gaming and beyond.
European Union must not abandon its fight against discrimination (edf-feph.org)
We join 8 other organisations in denouncing the Commission’s decision to withdraw the proposed Equal Treatment Directive in six months. This withdrawal, done without any indication that a stronger law will be proposed, severely undermines the EU’s commitment to equality, human rights and democratic decision making.
EURORDIS (eurordis.org)
EURORDIS - Rare Diseases Europe. We advocate for, empower and engage people living with a rare disease in Europe.
Living with a rare disease: “People living with invisible conditions are often not believed” (edf-feph.org)
Adéla Odrihocká is a professional interpreter and translator specialising in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. However, her career path has led her to dedicate her work entirely to the field of rare diseases—a journey she deeply values.
More than you can imagine: The reality of people with rare diseases (edf-feph.org)
On 28 February 2025, the world will observe Rare Disease Day, a global movement advocating for equity in diagnosis, treatment, research, and social participation. Coordinated by EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe and led by over 70 national partners, the campaign unites people with rare diseases and their families, healthcare and social support professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the general public across more than 100 countries. This year’s theme, “More Than You Can Imagine,” highlights how living with a rare disease impacts lives in ways that often go unseen.
Breaking the barriers faced by people with rare diseases and disability (edf-feph.org)
Most people with rare diseases live with disabilities, which are often not recognised. Like others with disabilities, people with rare diseases face significant barriers to access the support they need to live independently. Their participation in education, employment and in the community is also substantially limited.
Next EU Budget risks abandoning marginalised people (edf-feph.org)
Our statement released today warns that discussions on reducing the amount of future Cohesion programmes must be stopped, at the risk of endangering the lives of persons with disabilities. The statement was released following the publication of a communication by the European Commission on the future of the Multiannual Financial Framework on 12 February.
The war in Ukraine: impact on persons with disabilities (edf-feph.org)
Today we mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 1097 days of a war that has devastated millions of lives, including the lives of over 3 million persons with disabilities living in Ukraine.
European Parliament must be ambitious in improving passenger rights (edf-feph.org)
We call on Members of the European Parliament to be ambitious in their position regarding the Commission’s proposed revision of laws on the rights of passengers during air travel and multimodal transport. The proposals, launched at the end of 2023, fell very short of our expectations, and national governments plan to weaken them even further.
Calling on the EU to make bold commitments at the Global Disability Summit 2025 (edf-feph.org)
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a global advocacy event that aims to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. It brings together stakeholders to advance disability-inclusive international cooperation and humanitarian action efforts.
EU law must support victims with disabilities (edf-feph.org)
On the European Day of Victims of Crime, we call for the EU to do more to advance the rights of victims with disabilities.
Council of Europe must not support forced treatment and placement in mental healthcare (edf-feph.org)
We renew our call for the Council of Europe to drop a proposed protocol that would support forced treatment and coercion in mental healthcare.
Disability Intergroup: new members, same commitment (edf-feph.org)
MEP Katrin Langensiepen hosted the first meeting of the recently re-established Disability Intergroup on 13 February. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) gathered to discuss the composition of the Intergroup Bureau and set priorities for the 2024-2029 parliamentary term.
MEPs Katrin Langensiepen and Kim van Sparrentak visit Dutch Disability Platform (edf-feph.org)
On “The Future Is Accessible Tour” Member of the European Parliament Katrin Langensiepen from Germany travels with colleagues to different Member States to talk to disability activists, NGOs, politicians, entrepreneurs to listen to their concerns and ideas, and to see best practices of accessibility and inclusion and bring these back to the European Parliament. As part of this tour, MEP Langensiepen, together with Dutch MEP Kim van Sparrentak, visited us at our office in the city of Utrecht.
French persons with disabilities rally: We are also the Republic! (edf-feph.org)
On February 10, 2025, at Place de la République in Paris, even the rain didn’t get the better of the over 3000 activists, associations, families and committed citizens who gathered to demand a fairer society. The rally marked the twentieth anniversary of French law of 11 February 2005 which promised “equal rights and opportunities, participation and citizenship for people with disabilities”. Above all, it marked our anger at being denied the most fundamental rights.
The Right to Independent Living: A Call for Personal Assistance in Vienna (edf-feph.org)
Vienna, a city celebrated worldwide for its exceptional quality of life, has recently been honoured with the prestigious Access City Award, recognising its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. But what is the value of an accessible city without the personal assistance needed to truly experience it? Accessibility alone is not enough to ensure social and equal participation. For many persons with disabilities in Vienna, reality paints a different picture.
European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) (edsa.eu)
The European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) is a non-profit organisation supporting and representing people with Down syndrome across Europe.
Conference on “The right to decide: legal capacity and pathways to reform”. 21st June 2025 (edf-feph.org)
The obligation to ensure equal recognition before the law, including legal capacity, is enshrined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
18th Conference of State Parties to the UN CRPD (edf-feph.org)
The 18th session of the Conference of State Parties to the UN CRPD (COSP18) will take place from 10-12 June 2025 in New York. The overarching theme is “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the World Social Summit”.
An Open Letter to Restaurateurs and Restaurant Staff (abilities.com)
Popular blogger, The Disabled Foodie, endeavors to help restaurants improve the dining experience for the disability community.
Sad Poems About Depression (urevolution.com)
Discover 10 sad poems about depression that deeply express sorrow and resilience. Read these moving verses that capture raw emotions and struggles.
My power chair football story (disabilityhorizons.com)
The Wheelchair Football Association has now been running for Ten Years! Below we speak to Chris Gordon, 24 (England player and West Bromwich Albion captain) about how embracing Power Chair Football changed his life for the better and his achievements so far.
An Artist Expands the Landscape of Sound (nytimes.com)
In a major show at the Whitney, Christine Sun Kim shines light on Deaf culture and measures sonic experience beyond the ear.
3 Parrots, 1 Shared Wall, 2 Ruptured Lives (nytimes.com)
How noise complaints in a Manhattan co-op led to a $750,000 legal settlement and shattered a friendship.
Anne Marie Hochhalter, Paralyzed in Columbine Shooting, Dies at 43 (nytimes.com)
Fiercely independent, she publicly discussed the long-term effects of gun violence and spoke of forgiveness.
Tengo una enfermedad crónica. ¿Qué debo decir en el trabajo? (nytimes.com)
Existen leyes para proteger de la discriminación a personas con discapacidades, pero revelar esa información siempre conlleva riesgos.
Opinion | The Pentagon Purge, and the Danger Ahead (nytimes.com)
Readers discuss the dismissal of military leaders. Also: A refusal to obey; the Supreme Court’s dilemma; students with disabilities; company profits; tenderness.
AI-Media Partners with the England and Wales Cricket Board for Cutting-Edge Captioning Solution (ai-media.tv)
AI-Media is proud to partner with the ECB, delivering cutting-edge captioning to make cricket more inclusive for all spectators.
Benefits of Relationships on Health: Science-Backed Insights (urevolution.com)
Explore the benefits of relationships on health—reduce stress, boost immunity, and improve well-being. Learn how social connections enhance longevity.
How one man found work through the Work and Health programme (disabilityhorizons.com)
Have you heard of the UK Work and Health Programme? Find out how it helped one disabled writer with epilepsy find the confidence, after a number of knock backs, to become an independent writer.
Future mobility and the opportunity to improve accessibility (disabilityhorizons.com)
David, who has worked with transport companies for years, looks at how technology and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic could help to make the transport accessibility gap smaller.
Unravelling the Myth of HSD V hEDS (jboccupationaltherapy.co.uk)
About the authors: Holly and Amanda are final year BSc Physio students at the University of Brighton. They joined the JBOT team for 6 weeks and wanted to share their knowledge and expertise with Jo’s readers. Holly has a diagnosis of joint hypermobility. She has enjoyed working with Jo and her clients to explore the…Continue reading Unravelling the Myth of HSD V hEDS.
Chronic Illness Can Affect Every Part of Life. How Do You Talk About it at Work? (nytimes.com)
Opening up can unlock much-needed support, but it also comes with risks.
Igloo Recalls Coolers Over Fingertip Amputation and Crushing Risk (nytimes.com)
More than one million coolers sold in North America were recalled after a dozen injuries. Consumers are advised to stop using them and contact the company.
Igloo retira hieleras en México, EE. UU. y Canadá por riesgo de amputación y lesiones (nytimes.com)
Más de un millón de hieleras se han retirado después de que la empresa recibiera informes de una decena de lesiones en dedos. Se aconseja a los consumidores que dejen de utilizarlas.
Agent Orange Twisted Her Limbs. The U.S. Is Abandoning a Vow to Help. (nytimes.com)
Fifty years after the Vietnam War ended, President Trump’s gutting of foreign aid has halted American efforts to address a toxic legacy and build a strategic partnership.
Accessibility Initiatives Are Taking a Hit Across the Sciences (nytimes.com)
Confusion has ensued about the future of programs and research supporting people with disabilities as a result of President Trump’s executive order.
Future of cancer coverage for women federal firefighters uncertain under Trump (19thnews.org)
Biden's Labor Department added ovarian, uterine, cervical, and breast cancer coverage for wildland firefighters. It’s unclear whether the new protections will stick under Trump.
Trump assault on USAID leaves plant that makes peanut butter for malnourished kids scrambling (edition.cnn.com)
MANA Nutrition makes a special kind of peanut butter paste that many humanitarian aid workers are familiar with. It is fortified with milk and essential vitamins, packed with calories and sent to severely malnourished children around the world, including some countries in Africa.
Trump's Medicaid cuts would leave millions without health care (motherjones.com)
The human cost will be brutal—unless a few Republicans develop spines.
CDC Statement on Measles Outbreak (cdc.gov)
CDC is in close communication with Texas health authorities over the recent measles outbreak.
Tiffany Yu: Redefining Disability And Championing Inclusion (criplife.co.uk)
We speak to Tiffany Yu, a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and speaker dedicated to reshaping narratives around disability and inclusion.
RFK Jr. said measles outbreaks are ‘not unusual’ in the US. Doctors say he’s wrong (edition.cnn.com)
When Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy answered questions during the first cabinet meeting of the new Trump administration, he incorrectly described the number of people who died in a West Texas measles outbreak and the reason people were hospitalized.
Alzheimer's was taking her memory, so she started taking a new drug (npr.org)
Myra Solano Garcia, who has Alzheimer's, says the drug Kisunla may be one reason she can still drive, cook, and sing.
New report flags severity of US funding cuts to global AIDS response (news.un.org)
Shuttered clinics and health workers laid off around the world reflect the widespread, negative toll the United States funding freeze is taking on the global AIDS response, according to a new situation report released on Wednesday by the UN agency charged with responding to the disease.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement (guidedogs.com)
Now more than ever, Guide Dogs for the Blind is committed to fostering a culture where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I) are at the heart of who we are. As an organization dedicated to creating a more accessible world for people who are blind and visually impaired, we recognize the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in advancing our mission and in fostering a workplace where all people—regardless of background, identity, or ability—feel valued for who they are, the skills they bring, and the unique perspectives they contribute.
This group aims to make face masks more accessible in Southeast Minnesota (postbulletin.com)
Over the past 10 months, Mask Bloc 507, a mutual aid group, has given out more than 2,000 free face masks to people across Rochester, Winona and in between.
Growing Up Sick (linkedin.com)
Many of you know that my son is still battling complications from Long COVID. We are well into the 5th year of his decline which began when he was 10 years old. I use the word decline deliberately as even today, in spite of every pill and blood test, the nerve pain and the afternoons lost to dense fatigue continue to generate new forms of suffering. And while the physical dysfunction is more than enough to crush him, navigating the social and emotional loneliness in these early teenage years has become its own affliction.
Republicans are eyeing cuts to Medicaid. What is Medicaid, and how is it different from Medicare? (cbsnews.com)
Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities, touches millions of Americans and has become deeply woven into the U.S. health care system.
Accessibility Information Is Just As Important As Infrastructure (criplife.co.uk)
Ahead of International Wheelchair Day, Director of Thriving Communities at The Crown Estate, Deborah Clark, shares the impact of better accessibility information and the steps businesses can take to make their venues more accessible.
Survey designed to improve the accessibility of websites (disabilityhorizons.com)
The Click-Away Pound Survey was created by Rick Williams to provide website owners with hard data about the business case for accessible websites. And so far the results are convincing.
These little-known bank accounts allow Americans with disabilities to save and invest (apnews.com)
If you're an American with a disability who receives government assistance, you likely qualify for an ABLE account, or you may starting next year.
Advocates push Massachusetts to require hybrid public meetings (wgbh.org)
Remote access became an option for many meetings during the pandemic, but not all local governments adopted the practice.
Airlines Move to Undo Protections for Travelers With Disabilities (fodors.com)
Fodor's provides expert travel content worth exploring so you can dream up your next trip. The world is a weird and wonderful place—we want to show you around.
The Great Resegregation (theatlantic.com)
The Trump administration’s attacks on DEI are aimed at reversing the civil-rights movement.
Protect Medicaid Funding (5calls.org)
Medicaid is a health insurance program serving 72 million low-income and disabled Americans that is jointly funded and administered by states/territories and the federal government, with the federal government covering a greater share of Medicaid costs in lower-income states. Medicaid is an essential source of coverage for children, pregnant people, and low-income adults, particularly those with disabilities. Medicaid also pays for nursing home care and other long-term services and supports, essential benefits for older adults which Medicare does not cover. Despite being universally well-regarded and one of the most cost-effective insurance programs in the country, Medicaid is a target for major funding cuts by Republican legislators seeking to finance their tax cuts for the wealthy.
Two Federal Actions Address Disability and Accessibility (lflegal.com)
I recently came across two documents from the trump administration that indicate that the administration may consider disability issues differently than race, gender, and gender identity issues. As explained below, I share these here with some trepidation. Jump to: February 5, 2025 memo fr
Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Toolkit (ndss.org)
Human Rights Organization for Individuals with Down syndrome
Discover all our self-paced courses (theselfinvestigationacademy.thinkific.com)
Online courses for journalists and communicators in English and Spanish to learn how to prioritize your mental health and well-being at work.
Affected by USAID funding freeze? (techtotherescue.org)
Bridge the funding gap with pro bono tech support! Development doesn’t have to stop when grants do. We will match you with tech companies ready to donate their expertise — because your mission is too critical to pause.
LITI-GATE Regional Training (enil.eu)
This meeting is a training on strategic litigation for disability rights, aimed at persons with disabilities and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs). It will provide participants with knowledge and tools to effectively engage in litigation at the European and international levels.
Disabled life in Ukraine after three years of war (bbc.co.uk)
We catch-up with Oleksii and his mum Raisa
How to Explain Complex PTSD Clearly (+ Examples) (urevolution.com)
Struggling to explain complex PTSD? This guide provides a simple, compassionate way to help others understand C-PTSD without overwhelming them.
Mother had carer’s allowance stopped while with disabled daughter in hospital (theguardian.com)
Rachel Adam-Smith says stopping benefits when loved ones are in hospital fails to recognise carers’ ongoing role
Four ways to prepare for the UK digital landline switchover (abilitynet.org.uk)
Landlines are changing and the UK’s telephone network is going digital. Learn 4 key things to know about the switch – and how you can help your loved ones with the changes.
Broadway for everyone: How audio description brings live theater to blind audiences (wgbh.org)
There are now about a dozen Boston-area venues that offer the live narration of the visual parts of the show.
Multimillion-dollar Biden-era COVID-19 vax project halted by Trump’s HHS (foxnews.com)
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. paused a $240 million contract to create a new coronavirus vaccine.
A Texas child who was not vaccinated has died of measles, a first for the US in a decade (apnews.com)
A child who was not vaccinated has died from measles in West Texas. It's the first death in an outbreak that began late last month and the first from measles in the U.S. since 2015.
European Paralympic athlete in line to become the first disabled astronaut in space (cbc.ca)
British Paralympian John McFall has formally completed his astronaut training, and is now on the waiting list for a spot to fly to the International Space Station, which would make him the first disabled person to reach orbit.
Mattel Receives 2025 Helen Keller Achievement Award (afb.org)
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to announce that Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, will receive the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award, which AFB will present to Krista Berger the Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls at Mattel during a special evening ceremony on April 24 in midtown Manhattan. Mattel is recognized for their global impact on the inclusion of people who are blind or have low vision following the release of its Blind Barbie doll in 2024.
2025 Helen Keller Achievement Awards (afb.org)
Join Us to Celebrate Our Champions of Change at the 2025 Helen Keller Achievement Awards
Call Your Representative in Congress and Say No Cuts to Medicaid! (go.caringacross.org)
Right now, Congress is considering a budget package with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. They need to hear from us so they know we won't accept cuts to Medicaid!
Federal Commission Prompts Worries About Access To Mental Health Medications (disabilityscoop.com)
Health care professionals who treat children are bracing as a new commission launched by President Donald Trump's administration takes aim at psychiatric drugs.
Immigration Crackdown Has Caregiving Industry On High Alert (disabilityscoop.com)
Experts say the future pipeline of direct support professionals is "extremely threatened" by policies that slow immigration, exacerbating a dire shortage of care workers for those with disabilities.
House Vote Tees Up Billions In Cuts To Medicaid, Disability Services (disabilityscoop.com)
The U.S. House voted to approve a budget framework that could lead to more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid, an amount that would ravage the nation's disability services, advocates say.
Empirical study on the influence of mode of remote delivery on outcome measures in BSL (sites.manchester.ac.uk)
Objectives: Little is known about the efficacy of remotely delivered outcome measures (psychological/health-related assessments) in a signed language for Deaf people. The objective is to explore the equivalence of two modes of remote delivery of health-related quality of life outcome measures in British Sign Language (BSL): asynchronous online assessment versus synchronous live face-to-face online assessment in sign language.
A scoping review on Deaf sign language users’ experiences as patients in healthcare services (sites.manchester.ac.uk)
Background: Deaf people who use a signed language experience poorer physical and mental health outcomes and inequalities in access and delivery of health services.
True Inclusion Means More Than Just Hiring (disabilityhorizons.com)
Discover how to build a truly inclusive workplace by going beyond hiring diverse talent.
After Maine native testifies before Congress, Elon Musk targets his disability (pressherald.com)
Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette said he's not surprised by online trolls highlighting his blindness instead of focusing on what he said about eliminating waste and fraud in government.
Mass layoffs leave federal employees with disabilities in the lurch (statnews.com)
Disabled workers on a two-year probation were especially vulnerable during the Trump administration's mass firings.
The Six Cs of Accessibility (buttondown.com)
Business team huddle with three men and three women with their hands touching in the center. Many subjects use the mnemonic “5Cs” to identify elements at the...
A kindergartner’s hopes for beating cancer are tied to federal grants now on the chopping block (edition.cnn.com)
A family whose 6-year-old is battling cancer says a move to slash funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research at universities and medical centers would be “devastating.”
Iowa Medicaid Sends $4M Bills to Two Families Grieving Deaths of Loved Ones With Disabilities (kffhealthnews.org)
States are required to claw back health care costs from the estates of many Medicaid recipients. Some, including Iowa, are particularly aggressive in their pursuit.
Texas measles outbreak grows to 124 cases, possible exposure in San Marcos and San Antonio (dallasnews.com)
The measles outbreak that began in West Texas is still growing, with exposures on university campuses and other places in San Antonio and San Marcos.
Bullseye (rootedinrights.org)
“Yep, I’m partially blind.” “No, glasses don’t help.” “Yes, I can get around on my own, in familiar places.” I do not begrudge for a minute the quest…
How to Be Disabled in a Pandemic (opensquare.nyupress.org)
How to Be Disabled in a Pandemic documents the pivotal experiences of disabled people living in an early epicenter of COVID-19: New York City. Among those hardest hit by the pandemic, disability communities across the five boroughs have been disproportionately impacted by city and national policies, work and housing conditions, stigma, racism, and violence—as much as by the virus itself. Disabled and chronically-ill activists have protested plans for medical rationing and refuted the eugenic logic of mainstream politicians and journalists who “reassure” audiences that only older people and those with disabilities continue to die from COVID-19. At the same time, as exemplified by the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleToldYou, disability expertise has become widely recognized in practices such as accessible remote work and education, quarantine, and distributed networks of support and mutual aid. This edited volume charts the legacies of this “mass disabling event” for uncertain viral futures, exploring the dialectic between disproportionate risk and the creativity of a disability justice response.
How Actors With Disabilities Can Find the Right Agents (backstage.com)
Here’s everything you need to know about finding an agent who will have your back.
Funny Reply to Nice to Meet You: Best Witty Responses (urevolution.com)
Ditch the boring "Nice to meet you" reply! 🤣 Try these witty, funny, and clever responses to leave a lasting impression. Perfect for work, dates & more!
Fish consumption linked to slower disability progression in MS (disabilityinsider.com)
A high dietary intake of lean and oily fish may slow the progression of disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests a comparative population based study, published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Ocean microplastics linked to disabilities in coastal residents (disabilityinsider.com)
Tiny bits of plastic found in the ocean may be tied to a higher risk of disability for people who live in coastal areas with high levels, according to a preliminary study.
WSU professor’s app brings rich visual content to visually impaired readers (disabilityinsider.com)
Wichita State Professor Darren DeFrain has been awarded $150,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to further develop Vizling, a smartphone app that allows visually impaired people to read materials rich in visual content. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently awarded a Wichita State University faculty member $150,000 to further develop a … Continue reading "WSU professor’s app brings rich visual content to visually impaired readers"
For too long, my wheelchair reminded me of what I’d lost. Then I saw it as liberating (theguardian.com)
When my rheumatoid arthritis became more aggressive, I clung to the idea of still being a ‘walking person’. Letting go of that gave me more freedom than I could have imagined
How Humor Helps People with Chronic Illness (urevolution.com)
Chronic illness humor is more than just jokes—it’s a coping tool, a community builder, and a way to push back against ableism. Here’s why laughter matters.
NUCUF: A Lifeline For Unpaid Carers Across The UK (criplife.co.uk)
The National Unpaid Carers Union and Forum (NUCUF) is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing a strong, collective voice for unpaid carers across the UK.
Elon Musk keeps tweeting the 'R-word.' Disability advocates say he needs to stop. (eu.usatoday.com)
Elon Musk's slurs against disabled people anger them and their advocates. They're speaking out.
With RFK Jr. in Charge, Supplement Makers See Chance To Cash In (kffhealthnews.org)
The FDA is already limited in policing claims of health benefits by makers of supplements and herbal remedies — a $70 billion industry. Get ready for even less regulation.
Video shows how autistic teen died after 10 hours in Ohio jail. Mother wants his story told (youtube.com)
Isaiah Trammell, a 19-year-old with autism spectrum disorder spent 10 harrowing hours in an Ohio jail before he died. His mother, tells his story.
Thousands of veterans likely fired under DOGE (punchbowl.news)
Democrats estimate that nearly 6,000 veterans may have already been fired from their federal jobs as part of the DOGE initiative run by Elon Musk.
Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Toolkit (ndss.org)
Human Rights Organization for Individuals with Down syndrome
Judge tells Trump administration it has less than 2 days to resume USAID funding (npr.org)
U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali said officials have provided no evidence of compliance with repeated orders to unfreeze the money.
From Opinion: Why are Republican states trying to overturn a pillar of disability rights? (startribune.com)
They may not be successful in repealing Section 504 as part of the attack on treating gender dysphoria, but it begs the question of what they might come for next.
How Disability Inclusion Strengthens Work and Education (urevolution.com)
Disability inclusion improves workplaces and education, fostering collaboration, innovation, and equity for all. Learn why accessibility benefits everyone.