Unlearning Ableism: Disability in the Age of Social Media
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
Unlearning Ableism: Disability in the Age of Social Media (nod.org)
Unlearning Ableism: Disability in the Age of Social Media July 17, 1-2 PM EST. Register In celebration of Disability Pride Month, the National Organization on Disability is sitting down with a panel of disability influencers, activists, and personalities to discuss…
‘I Was Attacked by a Cat’ and Other Caregiver Excuses (newmobility.com)
A good caregiver you can rely on to consistently show up on time and get the job done is worth their weight in gold. But the sad reality is that finding a reliable, honest caregiver can make finding…
Foundation unveils genetic data on 1,500 children with autism (disabilityinsider.com)
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) has released phenotypic and genetic data from the Autism Inpatient Collection(AIC), a cohort of more than 1,500 youth participants ages 4 to 20 years old who were hospitalized in one of six child psychiatry units in the United States.
Supreme Court rules retirees cannot bring benefits suit under ADA (disabilityinsider.com)
The US Supreme Court ruled on June 20 that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not protect retirees from changes to their post-employment benefits, after leaving their jobs.
Florida Men Accused of Stealing More Than $100 Million Meant for People With Special Needs (nytimes.com)
Federal prosecutors say the money was used to fly on a private jet, buy real estate and help operate a brewery.
Father Uses Heirloom Sauce Recipe To Make Business For Daughter With Autism (disabilityscoop.com)
Using a nearly 100-year-old family recipe, a father is creating a legacy and a revenue stream for his daughter with autism.
FBI Arrests Man Accused Of Bilking $100 Million From Special Needs Trusts (disabilityscoop.com)
The co-founder of one of the country's largest special needs trust administrators is accused of siphoning roughly $100 million from more than 1,500 trusts to fund his lavish lifestyle.
PBS Documentary Spotlights Caregiving (disabilityscoop.com)
A new documentary highlighting the experiences of the millions of paid and family caregivers across the nation is set to premiere.
Senate Seeks Deeper Cuts To Medicaid Amplifying Worries About Disability Services (disabilityscoop.com)
Just weeks after the U.S. House approved billions in cuts to Medicaid, the Senate is considering chopping the program even more, a move that disability advocates say would have dire consequences.
Francesca Martinez (francescamartinez.com)
The website of Francesca Martinez: award-winning comedian, actor, writer, speaker and campaigner.
“Soy sus manos en su cuerpo” (pikaramagazine.com)
Periodismo de calidad, con perspectiva feminista, crítico, transgresor y disfrutón desde 2010
Whirlpool Collaborates with United Spinal Association on Accessible Dishwasher Rack (newmobility.com)
Whirlpool is bringing inclusive design to everyday kitchens with the launch of the Spin&Load Rack, a 360-degree spinning lower-level dishwasher rack. Designed in collaboration with United Spinal…
Long covid patients are desperate for treatments. These trials may help. (washingtonpost.com)
Some trials are focusing on drugs that target the immune system, which is affected by different pathways to long covid.
MSK Library Guides: COVID Impacts: Immune (libguides.mskcc.org)
Detailed information and resources on the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 infection and the broad social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
Risk of autoimmune diseases in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study (thelancet.com)
COVID-19 is associated with a different degree of risk for various autoimmune diseases. Given the large sample size and relatively modest effects these findings should be replicated in an independent dataset. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.
The worst job I had as an autistic person (albertaworker.ca)
I knew I hated that job, but it was not until I got my autism diagnosis that I knew why.
Federal Proposals Threaten Provider Taxes, Key Source of Medicaid Funding for States (kffhealthnews.org)
Republican proposals to tighten the use of special taxes to fund Medicaid programs could deprive states of billions of dollars for safety net health care. In California, any such limit would come on top of Medicaid cuts proposed by California Democrats in response to a $12 billion state deficit.
Clock made out of 40,000 flowers marks 200 years of Braille (talker.news)
A team of three gardeners began the planting process six weeks ago, as they laid down 40,000 flowers in a design that spans nearly 200 meters.
WCMX Tutorials Ep 1: The Wheelie/Manual (youtube.com)
In this episode of WCMX tutorials, Tim teaches you how to master the wheelie/manual. The most important skill in WCMX.
The Death of Dreams (wheelsntoys.substack.com)
What happens to a Dream that never comes true?
‘Little Lobbyists’ Urge Senators to Oppose Trump’s Bill Cutting Medicaid (nytimes.com)
Children with disabilities and their parents who rely on the health insurance program took to Capitol Hill this week to warn that the proposed reductions could be ‘devastating.’
How to Defuse Pity (rollingwithit.substack.com)
Or: Taking Apart the Pity Bomb
How Autistic Individuals can Develop Financial Independence - Part 2 (life-with-aspergers.blogspot.com)
A blog about living with Asperger's Syndrome and Parenting Children with Asperger's Syndrome.
AXSChat with Sabine Lobnig (axschat.com)
Sabine Lobnig is the MWF’s Director for Communications and focuses on advancing the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI). GARI’s mission is to inform consumers about existing accessibility solutions in the market today and help them identify devices with features that best help their individual needs.
Rolling with Confidence: Helen Dolphin MBE Shares Her Real-Life Guide to Travelling with a Power Chair (ablemagazine.co.uk)
For Helen Dolphin MBE, disability rights campaigner, accessibility consultant and seasoned traveller, European city breaks are a chance to explore rich history, discover new cultures, and prove tha…
Air pollution Nepal’s top health risk, says World Bank (disabilityinsider.com)
Air pollution is the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal. Single-sector solutions are not sufficient to meet any clean air target. Public policy and investment need to optimize air quality actions across sectors, prioritizing those with the most cost-effective solutions, says the World Bank in a new report.
Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people: Cerebral palsy and disability in the entertainment industry – with Abbie Hills (sites.libsyn.com)
Abbie Hills is a UK-based talent agent, producer, writer, and passionate disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Abbie founded The Dazey Hills Company in 2019 to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, representing talent across the UK and Europe.
Fighters review – rage-inducing study of the barriers to participation in sport for disabled people (theguardian.com)
Michael Grimmett’s documentary, which focuses on a lower-limb amputee’s struggle to gain approval from boxing authorities, will leave you furious
How Home Care Helps in Preventing Falls and Supporting Daily Life (disabilityhorizons.com)
Simple changes and consistent home care can help prevent falls, reduce stress for families, and support safer, more independent living at home.
Disabled Resident Fights For Accessible Housing Amid Safety Crisis (criplife.co.uk)
A disabled resident in Southampton faces sudden eviction from her adapted home with no suitable alternatives offered. Sophie's story exposes critical gaps in accessible housing for wheelchair users and highlights systemic failures in meeting complex disability needs.
Look at Labour’s cruel attitude towards disability benefits, then tell me Keir Starmer cares about 'human dignity' | John Harris (theguardian.com)
These proposed cuts will turn people’s lives into a nightmare. No wonder they are scared about where this all might lead, says Guardian columnist John Harris
Lack of funding hinders education progress in Africa (disabilityinsider.com)
Most African governments have consistently failed to meet global and regional education funding targets to ensure quality public education, Human Rights Watch said today on the African Union’s Day of the African Child.
New guidelines to promote independence for older Australians (disabilityinsider.com)
With the federal government’s new Support at Home program launching on November 1, Flinders University researchers have been instrumental in developing new guidelines underpinning independence and support for older Australians.
Review: My First-Ever Flight on Allegiant Air (wheelchairtravel.org)
The nonstop flight from Knoxville to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport was too convenient to pass up, despite my earlier concerns with Allegiant Air.
Young adults with disabilities face elevated suicide risk (disabilityinsider.com)
Suicide remains one of the most pressing public health crises affecting young adults today, with devastating consequences. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is currently the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 18 to 25, with a 51% increase in suicide deaths between 2000 and 2021. While … Continue reading "Young adults with disabilities face elevated suicide risk"
Senate Seeks Deeper Cuts To Medicaid Amplifying Worries About Disability Services (disabilityscoop.com)
Just weeks after the U.S. House approved billions in cuts to Medicaid, the Senate is considering chopping the program even more, a move that disability advocates say would have dire consequences.
Eric Dane Gets Emotional About ALS Diagnosis (people.com)
Eric Dane had his first sit-down interview since revealing his ALS diagnosis. The actor broke down in tears in a teaser for the upcoming 'Good Morning America' interview and said he doesn’t think his ALS diagnosis is “the end of my story.”
A teenage girl with a rare form of epilepsy won a unanimous Supreme Court ruling on Thursday that’s expected to make it easier for families of children with disabilities to sue schools over access to education.
Dementia is highest in these U.S. states, new study finds | Fortune Well (fortune.com)
The study examined data on more than 12.6 million older veterans.
DOE looks to ax 45-year-old rule on disability rights - E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ensures new federal buildings meet accessibility standards.
Gov. Mills signs bill to help students who suffer from seizures (wgme.com)
Governor Janet Mills signed a bill Thursday designed to help students who suffer from seizures at school.
Federal repeal could harm Colorado's accessibility laws | News | coloradopolitics.com (coloradopolitics.com)
Concerns grow over federal proposal to repeal accessibility standards for federally funded buildings, impacting Colorado's disability community.
Arecibo responds to ADA lawsuit with accessibility improvement plan – News is My Business (newsismybusiness.com)
Mayor pledges upgrades at City Hall, public spaces after legal filing. #NewsismyBusiness
Bridging Blocks tackles ableism, accessibility - WHYY (whyy.org)
During the community conversation, the group talked about people in power and those meant to help them didn't listen to their needs.
A woman fears her eyesight won't be saved in time due to research grant cuts : NPR (npr.org)
The Trump administration's feud with Harvard has axed research grants. A woman with a rare genetic disorder that causes blindness says crucial research may not be ready in time to save her eyesight.
The Proposed AI Moratorium Will Harm People with Disabilities. Here’s How. | TechPolicy.Press (techpolicy.press)
A proposed 10-year federal moratorium on state AI laws could expose people with disabilities to harm, Ariana Aboulafia and Travis Hall write.
A backlog at the Minnesota Department of Human Services has kept some lower-income people with disabilities from daily support services. Others are at risk of a gap in those services.
Migrants with disabilities experience ICE’s ableist, racist terror – Workers World (workers.org)
The 22-year-old U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is now perceived as international public enemy number one. Many thousands have protested the kidnapping, torture, abuse and murder of migrants in the U.S. Yet, the U.S. ableist establishment media has largely under-reported or ign
Can the sit-rise test predict longevity? Here’s what a new study says. - The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com)
Try the sitting-rising test. A new study shows that people who can do it without support are less likely to die in the next decade or so.
MTA begins major accessibility upgrades at three Bronx Metro-North stations – Bronx Times (bxtimes.com)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced the start of a comprehensive renovation and accessibility project at three Metro-North Railroad
San Diego expanding mobility accessibility for beachgoers (timesofsandiego.com)
The Access Trax and Freedom Trax equipment will be available to the public for no cost on a first-come, first-served reservation basis.
Navigating Tokyo: Practical Tips for Ambulatory Disabled Travelers (newsletter.accessible-japan.com)
Strategies for managing Tokyo's transit system and urban environment with limited mobility.
Traveling with a Disability: A Guide to Accessibility - United Cerebral Palsy (ucp.org)
Accessible travel guide for people with disabilities, featuring expert tips on planning, airport accommodations, sensory support, and helpful travel resources.
Omaha Performing Arts introduces SoundShirt to expand accessibility at live events - Silicon Prairie News (siliconprairienews.com)
Omaha Performing Arts is piloting a new wearable technology that lets deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons feel live music and sound through touch. The SoundShirt, developed by UK-based CuteCircuit, transforms performances into immersive, multisensory experiences.
Elias Katapi, a person with visual impairment navigates the renovated Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Airport independently, “I can travel without being worried, now that there is tactile paving that guides my feet and my cane when I am walking in the airport.” The Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Airport in Palu City, along with many other buildings, was devastated in a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that was followed by a tsunami and massive soil liquefaction that struck the cities of Palu, Donggala, and other areas in Central Sulawesi in September 2018.
Wimborne wheelchair user wants to make UK water accessible (bbc.com)
Will Behenna from Wimborne wants to hear from others with medical conditions and disabilities.
Minister to soften impact of planned disability benefit cuts (bbc.com)
Liz Kendall tries to ease the impact of planned benefits cuts as Labour MPs consider rebelling.
Guernsey man says he will be unable to get to job due to bus cut (bbc.com)
A bus for people with disabilities is ending in July sparking fears from those who use it.
Navigating New Zealand's ableist health system with a disability | RNZ News (rnz.co.nz)
Julie Woods has navigated the world without sight since 1997, but New Zealand's healthcare system has often left her in the dark.
If you're blind and need stuff from a store in Queenstown, how do you find it? - Sault Ste. Marie News (sootoday.com)
Short answer: you don’t
Dancing to remember: Moving to the rhythm of music improves mental and cognitive health | Health | EL PAÍS English (english.elpais.com)
A review of studies shows that dance, compared to pure physical exercise, strengthens motivation, memory and well-being more effectively
Twenty years ago, on June 13, 2005, the AODA took effect after all parties of the Legislature unanimously passed this ground breaking law. This landmark legislation set 2025 as the target year for achieving accessibility in Ontario. Although there has been much progress, in the targeted year, that goal is largely unmet.
B.C. municipality pushes for European-style elevators to cut costs, boost accessibility | CBC News (cbc.ca)
A Vancouver Island municipality is pushing the province to make changes to its elevator rules in a bid to make homes more accessible and affordable.
Tip shop makes change after parents address sale of kids' disability equipment - ABC News (abc.net.au)
When Bridget Lockley and her partner saw their local tip shop selling a bike for children with adaptive needs, what could have been an opportunity instead left them outraged.
New Draft Proposes Major Accessibility Reforms in Transport for Persons with Disabilities (deccanherald.com)
Inclusive Mobility Push: Draft framework mandates wheelchair access, ramps, and trained staff across buses, metros, railways, and airports.
DfT shows ‘disappointing lack of urgency’ on accessibility | New Civil Engineer (newcivilengineer.com)
Non-Disabled People's Delusions That Disability 'Is Nothing To Do With Them' Only Harm Disabled People – Byline Times (bylinetimes.com)
As Government cuts to disabled people's benefits lead to more dehumanising rhetoric, Penny Pepper reminds us that disability is an embedded reality of human experience as much as it always has been
Alzheimer's could start 20 years before memory fades, study warns - Health - News - Daily Express US (the-express.com)
The first signs of Alzheimer's could hit decades before patients notice memory loss, experts have warned in a bombshell new study
Yasuhiko Funago, a barrier-breaking member of the Upper House who helped make the Diet more accessible for people with disabilities, announced that he will retire at the end of his current term.
Passengers with accessibility needs report mixed flying experiences - News (travelweekly.co.uk)
CAA notes rise in number of passengers requesting assistance
Ukraine's first lady, Vienna mayor visit accessibility center (ukrinform.net)
Few easy wins for House of Commons accessibility but reserved seating and call lists should be considered, research shows - News (news.exeter.ac.uk)
Introducing reserved seating for members with a disability and call lists to make proceedings more predictable would make the Houses of Parliament more accessible, research shows. There is also room to increase participation of Members
Mother calls for change after daughter with intellectual disability told to wait five months for CT scan - ABC News (abc.net.au)
A Sydney mother is calling for change after being told her daughter with disability would have to wait five months for a scan her doctor said was urgent.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the eighteenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in New York today:
Frontiers | Estimates of the global workforce required for providing assistive technology: A modeling study (frontiersin.org)
Introduction: Despite being a fundamental human right, access to assistive products varies between 3% and 90% across countries. Ensuring adequate and trained...
Frontiers | Estimates of the global workforce required for providing assistive technology: A modeling study (frontiersin.org)
Introduction: Despite being a fundamental human right, access to assistive products varies between 3% and 90% across countries. Ensuring adequate and trained...
Turning academic publishing’s accessibility problem into an inclusion opportunity - Impact of Social Sciences (blogs.lse.ac.uk)
Accessibility in academic publishing is often overlooked, treated as a compliance checkbox rather than an essential tool for facilitating inclusion. While open access removes paywalls, true accessibility ensures research is usable by everyone, including those with disabilities or linguistic barriers. Akhilesh Ayer explores the gap between open access and meaningful accessibility, and how transforming accessibility
Digital Accessibility: Here is what matters most (precisely.com)
Accessibility isn’t optional, its essential> Here is what I learned from our recent digital accessibility roundtable.
Commission for People with Disabilities Wants More Communication Regarding Town Projects - Amherst Indy (amherstindy.org)
Report on the Meeting of the Commission for People with Disabilities, June 10, 2025 This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. Present: Myra Ross (Chair), Serin Derin, James Kruidener, Elyse Link, Cody Rooney, and Pamela Nolan Young (Staff appointee). In March 2025, the Disability Access Advisory Committee became the Commission for People with
Designing for Everyone: How to Build Inclusive and Accessible Web Applications (mid-day.com)
Vemuri helped create a shared component library at Intertrust Technologies that made accessibility a default part of the design process.
ADA Insights: Oakland County Team Shares Accessibility Stories, Resources for Businesses - Oakland County Times (oaklandcounty115.com)
“It’s all about having a level playing field for all of us to have access to the community. And universal design benefits all.”
LIA and APACE Announce Accessibility Programming (publishingperspectives.com)
A 'summer school' for publishing professionals heads to Fiesole, outside Firenze, to prepare for the new law's activation.
(25) Disability Beyond the Halls: Rethinking the Global Conversation | LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
Having spent yesterday at the United Nations, I walked through its halls, steeped in history, policy, and purpose, I found myself reflecting on the evolving space the UN occupies in the broader conversation around disability. The UN, with its gravitas and global reach, remains a vital engine for int
Sheet Music Accessibility: Bridging the Gap for All Musicians – Metal Planet Music (metalplanetmusic.com)
The music education and performance field continues to evolve with accessibility now playing a fundamental role to enable musicians of every ability level to utilize musical materials. Digital innovation has transformed how musicians access and share sheet music, creating unprecedented opportunities
Digital ageism: are you ignoring the online needs of older consumers? | The Drum (thedrum.com)
Accessible travel specialists call for more training and product - News (travelweekly.co.uk)
Agents and operators continue to battle slow pace of change
From Curiosity to Creation: The Story Behind Accessibility Nerd - Equal Entry (equalentry.com)
Through his work, Cameron Cundiff develops tools to make digital spaces more inclusive. So, he created the Accessibility Nerd project to explore the intersection of technology, software engineering, and AI in accessibility. One is Image Describer, which helps blind and low-vision users understand images online. Another is a11y-agent, which supports developers in making their code more accessible. He emphasizes that AI isn’t a replacement for human expertise but a powerful assistant that helps developers identify and fix accessibility issues efficiently. With advancements like AI-powered descriptions and interactive developer assistants, accessibility is becoming more seamless and effective. It's helping developers and users navigate the digital world with greater ease.
CEO and Wheelchair User Can’t Get to Cannes – Can You Help? | LBBOnline (lbbonline.com)
Little Black Book, Kelly Gordon from With Not For is 28% away from her fundraising target to enable her to get to the festival, facing extra costs due to inaccessible infrastructure
Training Videos - YouTube (youtube.com)
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
Home - The Accessible Stall (theaccessiblestall.com)
A disability podcast with Kyle and Emily
Mission Impossible - Accessibility Job Roles - craigabbott.co.uk (craigabbott.co.uk)
Analysis of a bloated and impossible job advert for accessibility.
There’s no such thing as ‘fully accessible’ - Arts Professional (artsprofessional.co.uk)
Arts access champion, Andrew Miller, works to make it easier for disabled people to experience the breadth of culture the UK has to offer. While significant strides have been made in recent years, he’s worried we might become complacent.
Why Accessibility Must Shape the Future of AVs | Future Transport-News (futuretransport-news.com)
AutoSens USA delivered a powerful conversation on the transformative potential of AVs if accessibility and inclusivity are prioritised.
Accessibility Terms Every Content Creator Should Know (digitalaccesstraining.com)
As the leading provider of accessibility training, Digital Access Training is proud to offer on-demand courses that make it easy for you to learn at your own time and convenience.
Accessible packaging -JDO Global (memuknews.com)
Accessible packaging doesn’t need to be complex or clinical. Some of the most effective solutions are surprisingly simple - larger fonts,
A Father’s Legacy Powers Amramp Accessibility Franchise (franchisewire.com)
Amramp Accessibility Franchise celebrates Father’s Day with a moving tribute from CEO Justin Gordon to his late father.
Accessibility and accountability - CBW (cbwmagazine.com)
Accessibility has been the subject of two recently-published reports. We take a look at some of the key points raised The topic of accessibility and inclusion has cropped up quite a few times in the [...]
Two exciting House bills, H.R. 2527 and H.R. 3541, have been introduced to help young children receive vision testing and services...
The Access Dispatch: June '25 (newsletter.accessible-japan.com)
Your monthly curated update of news, views, and interesting stuff, courtesy of Accessible Japan!
Lots of proteins (disabilitydebrief.org)
Questions of activism, priests using wheelchairs, and more from the mailbag
Two exciting House bills, H.R. 2527 and H.R. 3541, have been introduced to help young children receive vision testing and services...
Liquid Glass: Apple, you know better – Nat Tarnoff (tarnoff.info)
Liquid Glass: I feel this design is incongruous with Apple’s recent GAAD announcement. And Apple knows this! They have experts on staff that can (and hopefully did) speak out against this.
Interns boost accessibility at Anna Centenary Library’s Braille section – Adyar Times (adyartimes.in)
Differently abled students play a vital role in nation-building by offering diverse perspectives - EducationTimes.com (educationtimes.com)
Institutions that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to accessibility enable learners to focus on academic growth rather than overcoming avoidable barriers, writes Sony Thomas - EducationTimes.com
This study aims to analyse the Ads and perceptions of students with disabilities and their teachers at the University of La Laguna (ULL), focusing on the imp...
Disability advocate Sinéad Burke calls for greater inclusion in higher education | Maynooth University (maynoothuniversity.ie)
Founder and CEO of Tilting the Lens Sinéad Burke has called for increased access and inclusion for staff as well as students across all areas of the third level sector. In a keynote address to the
Updated seating across campus provides more durable and accessible options | OSU Today | Oregon State University (today.oregonstate.edu)
Two recent projects led by University Facilities, Infrastructure and Operations employees are creating new places to sit on campus. Recently installed benches are updating the look and feel of seating areas and welcoming community members with a range of needs.
Is accessibility an afterthought at our university campuses? | The Daily Star (thedailystar.net)
Accessibility in universities should reflect society’s commitment to equality.
University of Phoenix Leadership Presents at 1EdTech (businesswire.com)
University of Phoenix is pleased to announce that Vice President of Accessibility and Student Affairs Kelly Hermann co-presented at the 2025 1EdTech Learning...
Testing Methods: Info and Relationships - Dennis Deacon (dennisdeacon.com)
WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships requires that presentation of information, structure, and relationships be available in text or programmatically.
Engineering Accessibility – Clemson World Magazine (clemson.world)
Dean’s Associate Professor of Human-Centered Computing Julian Brinkley M '23 answers questions about his research on accessibility and human-machine interfaces.
Countdown to April 2026: 310 Days to Go! – Accessibility at the UW (washington.edu)
We’re counting up to an accessible UW In just 310 days—by April 24, 2026—the University’s digital content must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards for digital acc
Faulkner University News – AI’s Role in Supporting Diverse Learners (faulkner.edu)
We’re all familiar with some of the mainstream applications of AI like writing emails, reviewing for tests, or creating lesson plans. Have you ever stopped to consider how AI can also enhance accessibility and equity for learners? Neurodiversity refers to…
/PRNewswire/ -- The recent rapid approach to policy changes at the Federal and State levels are prompting detailed responses by the effected communities...
Advertising's Trillion-Dollar Accessibility Gap: Only 1 in 10 TV Ads Use Accessibility Features, New XR Report Finds (uk.finance.yahoo.com)
NEW YORK, June 18, 2025--XR, the global leader in creative operations, today released the 2025 Global Accessibility Maturity Index & Trends Report, which...
University of Derby students 'losing' disability support (bbc.com)
Disabled students at the university say there has been "significant reductions" in support.
SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures Join Forces to Expand Accessibility Across Massachusetts - Framingham Source (framinghamsource.com)
Two Massachusetts nonprofits, SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures, have partnered to make parks, schools, and recreation areas more welcoming for individuals with disabilities—by donating accessible picnic tables across the state.
Event of "Accessibility for All Exhibition: Building an Inclusive Future" held in Geneva-Xinhua (english.news.cn)
Event of "Accessibility for All Exhibition: Building an Inclusive Future" held in Geneva-
Brook Iroquois Washington Public Library Awarded $10,000 Grant to Improve Accessibility | News | newsbug.info (newsbug.info)
Accessibility at Heart | Your Durham (yourvoice.durham.ca)
The Regional Municipality of Durham is committed to ensuring that people of all identities enjoy the same opportunities as they live work, play, and invest in our region. We are committed to meeting the requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Government Responds to Committee’s Call for Improved Transport Accessibility - Rural Services Network (rsnonline.org.uk)
Government Responds to Committee’s Call for Improved Transport Accessibility
Marlee Matlin Says Henry Winkler “Saved” Her After Abusive Relationship with William Hurt in New Documentary | Decider (decider.com)
“I didn’t know that you could ask for help,” said the actress.
Statement from Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux on release of second report on accessibility in Canada
wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/broadway-theater-awarded-accessibility-grant-to-support-hearing-impaired-patrons/article_7f7430a5-18cc-4eee-9ed1-a58160d956d4.html (wyomingnews.com)
Canada Disability Benefit 2025: How to apply (ctvnews.ca)
Eligible Canadians can begin applying for the Canada Disability Benefit as of June 20.
Access Denied (iowadot.gov)
We often take sidewalks for granted. They’re always under our feet. The Iowa DOT is making more ADA sidewalks available in communities under 5,000 residents.
‘Everyone Plays!’: Campaign starts to fund inclusive playground | News, Sports, Jobs - The Daily News (ironmountaindailynews.com)
IRON MOUNTAIN — The Lake Antoine Park Partners has launched its “Everyone Plays!” campaign. The non-profit is seeking the community’s help to raise funds for its accessible playground project at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain. The total estimated cost is $400,000 for the two-phase plan. “We have already made great improvements around the park, […]
Rochester Jazz Fest 2025: Accessibility tips (eu.democratandchronicle.com)
Over 200,000 are expected to attend the festival. Resources and facilities will be available to accommodate guests of all ages and abilities.
Inclusion, accessibility and support: First annual All Abilities Expo coming up | Northport Journal (northportjournal.com)
The Town of Huntington is readying to host its first ever All Abilities Expo, a free and inclusive community event celebrating individuals of all abilities.
Arkansans with disabilities showcase talents at Blue Umbrella Farmers Market (katv.com)
Residents from the Arkansas Department of Human Services Development Centers showed off their talents at the annual Blue Umbrella Farmers Market on Wednesday.
Quality Printed Books on Front-End, Design, UX, Accessibility — Smashing Magazine (smashingmagazine.com)
Make your UX research inclusive. Learn how to recruit, plan, and design with disabled participants in mind. Print shipping in August 2025. eBook available for download later this summer. Written by Dr. Michele A. Williams. Cover art by Espen Brunborg.
Lincoln Castle concert accessibility changes praised (bbc.com)
A wheelchair user says promoters have improved the Lincoln Castle concerts for disabled people.
Accessibility at Comic-Con: A quick guide | KPBS Public Media (kpbs.org)
Comic-Con is for everyone — this guide breaks down what disabled attendees need to know, from service animal policies to wheelchair seating and quiet rooms.
Travel can use technology in the right way to help vision-impaired travellers - In Depth (travelweekly.co.uk)
Amar Latif, founder of Traveleyes, has urged the travel industry to use technology in the right way to help vision impaired travellers
Therapy Dogs Make Paw-sitive Impact at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital (cbs6albany.com)
When we think of pet therapy programs in a healthcare setting, it's usually a benefit designed for patients - not staff.
Whirlpool tackles kitchen accessibility with spinning, retrofit dishwasher rack (trendwatching.com)
A new rotating dishwasher rack by Whirlpool offers accessible design for all, retrofitting existing units and reflecting deep consumer co-creation.
Make videos accessible with automated audio descriptions using Amazon Nova | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (aws.amazon.com)
In this post, we demonstrate how you can use services like Amazon Nova, Amazon Rekognition, and Amazon Polly to automate the creation of accessible audio descriptions for video content. This approach can significantly reduce the time and cost required to make videos accessible for visually impaired audiences.
Tony-award winning actress Ali Stroker partners with Whirlpool for greater accessibility (rochesterfirst.com)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Ali Stroker has had a number of firsts in her career. She is the first actor who uses a wheelchair to appear on a Broadway stage. She is also the first actor in a wheelchair to be nominated for and win a Tony Award. Now — Stroker is adding to her […]
ChromeOS 137 is rolling out with immersive audio, new accessibility tools and more (chromeunboxed.com)
The latest version of ChromeOS is now beginning its journey to the Stable channel, and M137 is bringing a handful of interesting new features with it. While there isn't one massive, headlining feature, this update delivers a very cool new audio experience for everyone, alongside some important new tools for accessibility and for IT admins...
China's first invasive brain-computer interface clinical trial launched, achieving positive results - Global Times (globaltimes.cn)
This New Platform Is Changing Accessible Travel by Verifying Luxury Hotels (travelandleisure.com)
A new hotel discovery platform verifies luxury properties for both accessibility and inclusivity.
Texas startet bahnbrechendes Ultra-Inclusive-Hotelprojekt in der Nähe von Morgan's Wonderland und setzt damit neue globale Standards für barrierefreie Reiseerlebnisse - Travel And Tour World (travelandtourworld.de)
Accessibility Innovation: How Gaming Companies Are Designing for Diverse Abilities (topnews.in)
An examination of technological solutions and design approaches making gaming more accessible to players with various physical and cognitive differences.
Steam Announces New Accessibility Options for Gamers (msn.com)
Steam announces new accessibility options that will appear on the platform soon, helping gamers to pick titles that match their needs.
Answering the Nintendo Switch 2’s lingering accessibility questions | The Verge (theverge.com)
The Nintendo Switch 2 includes a number of welcome accessibility options and features for gamers.
Steam adds accessibility features to store pages and filters for searching | GamingOnLinux (gamingonlinux.com)
As Valve announced back in April, they've now added accessibility feature support to game pages on Steam pages and filters for searching.
WCAG 2.2 Compliance: Accessibility Best Practices (fivejars.com)
Stay ahead with WCAG 2.2 compliance. Learn key accessibility best practices to create inclusive, ADA-compliant digital experiences for all users.
Experts point out that consideration for 'accessibility' to make games easier to play is declining - GIGAZINE (gigazine.net)
In game development, in addition to gameplay and graphics, accessibility is also an important factor, adjusting functions such as operation, display, and sound so that everyone can enjoy the game regardless of age or disability. However, according to a consultant who oversees game accessibility, attention to accessibility is declining across the industry. As the game industry cuts back, accessibility is feeling the impact | The Verge https://www.theverge.com/games/669419/gaming-industry-accessibility-cutbacks According to games consultant Laura Kate Dale, accessibility in games has become a mainstream discussion since 2020, and things have only gotten better. But 'as the year has progressed, there have been signs that behind the scenes progress on accessibility is starting to slow,' Dale said. According to Dale, the entire gaming industry has been shrinking since mid-2023, and accessibility jobs were among the first to be cut to cut costs. Work has been canceled without clear explanation, and accessibility professionals have had to work harder to justify experimental investments in new accessibility as budgets shrink. Consultant and content creator Steve Saylor said he had very few consulting jobs over the past year, adding, 'We're doing our best, but it's still tough. We don't know when it's going to recover. It's been getting worse since 2023.' Dale also revealed the tough situation, saying, 'I've been asked to do accessibility consulting work for three major AAA studios in the past 18 months, but in the end, the management cut the budget and the planned consulting work was canceled.' From 2022 to 2023, large-scale layoffs were carried out at major IT companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as at Disney and GitHub. In particular, serious layoffs have been occurring worldwide since around 2022 in the gaming industry. According to Game Industry Layoffs, which keeps records of layoffs in the gaming industry, approximately 8,500 game-related workers were laid off worldwide in 2022, approximately 10,500 in 2023, and 10,800 in the first six months of 2024 alone. The sharp increase in the 2024 figure is largely due to Unity's layoff of 25% of its employees in January 2024 and Microsoft's layoff of 1,900 employees at game makers Activision Blizzard and Xbox, which it completed its acquisition of in October 2023. Game companies are prone to large-scale layoffs, but Japan is the exception, but the working environment is far from ideal - GIGAZINE by The part-time life of a hero and a corporate slave The impact of mass layoffs and studio closures has also been felt by accessibility consultants, and consultants who were actively promoting accessibility awareness around 2020 have yet to build a basic foundation in 2025, Dale said. Dale also worries that as many consultants leave the gaming industry, important knowledge about which accessibility features are implemented in which games and with what intent. According to information obtained by The Verge from multiple sources, the gaming industry is increasingly hiring accessibility consultants as contractors rather than full-time employees, and they are hired and fired for a single project, which makes the situation worse as there are often no records of knowledge and practices. Dale points out that the existence of 'notable titles' is important in the discussion of accessibility. In fact, when ' The Last of Us Part II ' was released in 2020, more than 60 accessibility customization features, such as text-to-speech and high-contrast display functions for people with visual impairments, subtitles and combat assistance functions for people with hearing impairments, and auto-aim functions for people with motor impairments, became a hot topic. And Dale says that the accessibility of the popular 'The Last of Us Part II' was widely reported, which was a major motivation for other companies to follow suit immediately after its release. A big hope for accessibility is the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units in just four days after its release, making it the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history. The Switch 2 features accessibility settings such as text size changes, button mapping, and text-to-speech functionality, and the importance of accessibility settings in a game that is attracting a lot of attention around the world may lead to subsequent game hardware and software following suit. 'The only way to change this is to keep asking for features that no one else has and keep asking for improvements until your team feels embarrassed about not being able to provide accessibility features,' Dale says.
Twins Fantasy Camp a Home Run for Adaptive Athletes (ccxmedia.org)
Young baseball fans got a chance to play ball with the professionals in Brooklyn Park Friday morning at the Twins Fantasy Camp.
Variety KC gives accessibility bikes to kids living with disabilities (kctv5.com)
Five accessibility bikes were given to Variety KC families Thursday morning, and one of those recipients was 3-year-old Ellis Wilson.
Vermont company creating accessible living spaces for the disabled (wcax.com)
Vermont is looking for solutions to its housing crisis. A Wilmington company is coming up with a creative way that’s accessible for everybody.
Spanish consortium tests innovative accessibility systems in Málaga - International Railway Journal (railjournal.com)
A pilot project has started in Málaga, Spain, to test innovative technologies aimed at improving rail travel for people with disabilities.
Tangled Arts 2025 auction - (tangledarts.org)
Bid now in Tangled Arts first online auction, featuring works by Persimmon Blackbridge. June 17 - 27, 2025
NHS plans to DNA test all babies in England to assess disease risk (bbc.com)
Scheme is part of the government's 10-year plan for the NHS in England aimed at easing pressure on services.
‘Look my child in the eye’: Parent confronts GOP over Medicaid cuts (msnbc.com)
Elena Hung, co-founder of Little Lobbyists, returned to Capitol Hill eight years after her first visit with the same mission: to fight Medicaid cuts that would directly harm medically complex children like her daughter, Xiomara. She joins MSNBC’s Catherine Rampell to discuss lawmakers’ “truths and untruths” about the Republican budget bill and its impact: “No cuts to Medicaid are acceptable.”
Canine Companions | Action Center (canine.quorum.us)
The SAVES Act is a good start—but it must be stronger. Urge Congress to require accreditation for service dog providers. Veterans’ safety depends on it. 🐾🇺🇸
Two members quit government’s ‘tokenistic’ network because Disability Unit is ignoring disabled people – Disability News Service (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Two disabled leaders have quit the “stakeholder network” set up to ensure that the voices of disabled people are at the heart of the government’s work, after months – and even years – of “inertia” …
New COVID-19 Variant Sparks Concerns of a Summer Surge (blackenterprise.com)
A new COVID-19 variant is circulating. The CDC reports that the B.1.8.1 variant accounts for over 37 percent of new U.S. COVID-19 cases.
City of Chicago ordered to install a whole lot more audible crosswalk signals for visually impaired - CBS Chicago (cbsnews.com)
Chicago installed to order a whole lot more audible crosswalk signals for visually impaired
About 1 — erica patricia saucedo (ericasaucedo.com)
Charity Digital - Topics - Eight tips for writing strong hyperlink text (charitydigital.org.uk)
Writing effective hyperlink text makes your site easier to navigate and more accessible to a wider audience. Here’s how to get it right
FDA's National Priority Vouchers Will Endanger Americans (doctorsforamerica.org)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a program that will shorten review times assessing safety and efficacy for some new drugs to one to two months
New figures show legalising assisted suicide is not safe, with government preparing to cut billions from benefits – Disability News Service (disabilitynewsservice.com)
Disabled activists say vital new polling shows that it is not safe to legalise assisted suicide when the government is preparing to cut billions of pounds a year from spending on disability benefit…
Disability 101 Learning About Your Communities - BLACK, DISABLED, AND PROUD: COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (blackdisabledandproud.org)
These are some resources to learn about disability. Be sure to also see our list of disability organizations for more information, assistance, or to set up campus chapters of national groups. We...
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program 30 Years of Protecting Children | VitalSigns | CDC (cdc.gov)
30 years of protecting children from serious diseases.
Mainers await US Senate decision on future of Medicaid coverage - YouTube (youtube.com)
Tens of thousands of Mainers who utilize the health care coverage would be impacted by cuts. A rally was held urging Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to reject it.
How Texas church makes Christianity accessible for deaf community (chron.com)
Community Bible Church in San Antonio is going viral after hiring Ashton Luff as its first full-time deaf pastor — a rarity across the church scene.
Why Marlee Matlin’s Fight for Deaf Representation Never Ends (Exclusive) - Parade (parade.com)
Marlee Matlin exclusively sits down with Parade to talk about representation in the Deaf community and how Children of a Lesser God changed her life.
Social Security won’t be able to pay full benefits in 2034 if Congress doesn’t act | CNN Politics (edition.cnn.com)
Social Security will not be able to fully pay monthly benefits to tens of millions of retirees and people with disabilities in 2034 if lawmakers don’t act to address the program’s pending shortfall, according to an annual report released Wednesday by Social Security’s trustees.
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service (pbs.org)
Watch full episodes of your favorite PBS dramas, find in-depth news analysis and explore documentaries on history, science, art and more!
Federal Budget May Affect Programs that Serve Georgians with Disabilities - AllOnGeorgia (allongeorgia.com)
The proposed federal budget could end funding that supports services and protections for over 170,000 Georgians with developmental disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network in Georgia, which consists of Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), and Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils, including the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), […]
Home - Gene Cuisine: satisfying your appetite for genetic news and information (blog.geneticsupportfoundation.org)
A project by Genetic Support Foundation
Airlines Challenge Protections For Travelers With Wheelchairs - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
A landmark rule to expand the rights of disabled air travelers has been hamstrung by a lawsuit from major airlines and delayed enforcement by the Transportation Department.
Sweeping legal victory before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (driadvocacy.org)
The Inter-American Commission just announced a decision against Guatemala in the case of Federico Mora Patients v. Guatemala that sets legal precedent to protect people with disabilities in Guatemala and throughout the Americas. The case was brought by Disability Rights International (DRI) and the Guatemalan Colectivo Vida Independiente, joined by the Center for Health and Human Rights, O’Neill Institute of Georgetown University Law Center.
ADA 35 – Leaders of Today: Daisy Friedman (ablenews.com)
Daisy Friedman is a writer, director, and poet based in New York City whose work is informed by the fact that she’s a multi-organ transplant recipient. Her latest short film, “Unholy,” is about a woman with a gastrointestinal disorder that requires a feeding tube and the obstacles she navigates at her family’s Passover Seder. Filmed in 2024, “Unholy” premiered at Sundance 2025 and was screened at South By Southwest 2025.
I Don’t Need You to Cure My Blindness - by Sara Minkara (zeteo.com)
The former special adviser on international disability rights calls for a societal shift towards valuing diverse experiences and fostering environments so people with and without disabilities thrive.
Trump Administration’s Termination of NIH Grants Ruled Illegal — ProPublica (propublica.org)
In a ruling issued Monday, the judge called the government’s directives “arbitrary and capricious” and ordered funding for some of the NIH grants, including many profiled by ProPublica in recent months, to be restored.
ADA 35 – Leaders of Today: George Gallego & Danniel Swatosh - Able News at The Viscardi Center (ablenews.com)
If there is one word to describe George Gallego’s comeback story after his spinal cord injury, it is “choice.” Gallego was 24 years old when he lost his balance on a high level structure and his life instantly changed as he became paraplegic. Although he recalls much of his recovery period to be dark and “a zombie-like existence” focused on surviving and not living, Gallego said that his “choice” to start moving toward the light became the medicine that helped him rebuild mentally and emotionally.
Phillipson does not rule out EHCPs for special schools only | Tes (tes.com)
Education ministers questioned on SEND reforms, teacher recruitment and screen time in schools today
Guide Dogs Victoria: The special kitchen providing a boost to Aussies with blindness and low vision (9news.com.au)
A new purpose-built kitchen has been installed at Guide Dogs Victoria with the aim of giving people with bl...
The new coronavirus variant surging in China has arrived in the US. Here’s what to know about Nimbus | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
A new Covid-19 variant called NB.1.8.1, or Nimbus, represents about a third of new US Covid-19 cases. Dr. Leana Wen answers common questions about the new variant.
AUCD Event | Basics of Medicaid and Reconciliation: Community Living and Policy (aucd.org)
House Republicans support bill their WI constituents oppose | Opinion (eu.jsonline.com)
Wisconsin GOP lawmakers have tethered themselves to the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' a nickname whose absurdity only serves to distract from its contents
Why is caregiving so hard in America? The answers emerge in a new film : NPR (npr.org)
A new documentary on PBS shows what it's like to care for adult family members and recounts the history of caregiving policy in the U.S., revealing why those caring for family are often on their own.
Tangled Arts 2025 auction Work by Persimmon Blackbridge (charityauctionstoday.com)
Make fundraising easier with the premier nonprofit auction software. CharityAuctionsToday’s online auction software helps schools, nonprofits, and even individuals.
Columbia Got Some NIH Funding Back. Then It Didn’t. (chronicle.com)
In a confusing turn of events, the National Institutes of Health told staff that it would free up some frozen funding to the Ivy League campus — then quickly backtracked.
Marijuana use dramatically increases risk of dying from heart attacks and stroke, large study finds | CNN (edition.cnn.com)
Using marijuana doubles the risk of dying from heart disease, especially from stroke and heart attacks, a large new study found.
My Body! What I Say Goes! | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
Kids can find confidence and courage in knowing they control their own body! This book teaches body safety skills, from understanding and knowing how to act on feeling uncomfortable with someone's behavior, to respecting body boundaries, to knowing your body — including private parts — by proper anatomical names, t
Body Smart, Body Safe: Talking with Young Children about their Bodies | A Mighty Girl (amightygirl.com)
A Mighty Girl's top picks of books for young children about their bodies, body privacy, appropriate touch, and more.
CDC vaccine advisers who were removed from committee by RFK Jr. speak out (yahoo.com)
The 17 members of a federal vaccine advisory committee, who were ousted last week, argued their abrupt dismissal has "left the U.S. vaccine program...
My Kids Knew Their Dad Was Enough (nfb.org)
‘Not Accountable to Anyone’: As Insurers Issue Denials, Some Patients Run Out of Options - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
Health insurers issue millions of prior authorization denials every year, leaving many patients stuck in a convoluted appeals process, with little hope of meaningful policy change ahead. For doctors, these denials are frustrating and time-consuming. For patients, they can be devastating.
State budget cuts have forced layoffs and service reductions at the Indiana School for the Deaf.
Government’s ‘weak’ response to damning transport access report puts right to travel in ‘grave danger’ – Disability News Service (disabilitynewsservice.com)
The government’s “weak” response to a major report on the inaccessibility of the transport system has left the future of disabled people’s right to travel in “grave danger”, campaigners warned this…
Idris Elba Posts Full Text Of Powerful Diversity Speech Online (deadline.com)
Idris Elba has posted the full text of powerful address to Parliament about the need for greater diversity and representation on our screens
Fact Sheet: Recommendations for Providing Gender-Based Violence Services to Disabled Women in the U.S. - Women Enabled International (womenenabled.org)
This fact sheet offers concrete recommendations for providers to break down barriers and meet the needs of disabled clients, promoting good practices regardless of changes in federal legal requirements.
People with Disabilities Taking Action on Climate Change HPOD's new Easy Read primer empowers disability climate a (hpod.law.harvard.edu)
HPOD's most recent human rights publication is a primer for persons with disabilities around the world interested in both better understanding climate chang
The Price You Pay for an Obamacare Plan Could Surge Next Year - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
An estimated 4 million Americans will lose health insurance over the next decade if Congress doesn’t extend enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage, which expire at the end of the year. Florida and Texas would see the biggest losses, in part because they have not expanded Medicaid eligibility.
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Would Batter Rural Hospital Finances, Researchers Say - KFF Health News (kffhealthnews.org)
Rural hospitals would take an outsize hit from Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal health programs. Researchers say the financial erosion would trigger hospital closures and service cuts, especially in communities where large shares of patients are enrolled in Medicaid.
Billions in NIH research cuts ruled 'void and illegal' by federal judge (statnews.com)
A federal said he'd 'never seen government racial discrimination like this' in ruling against NIH DEI cuts on constitutional, procedural grounds.
“The Ride Ahead” Film Screening and Discussion Tickets, Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite (eventbrite.com)
"The Ride Ahead" film screening and discussion: part of this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival program, Youth and the Future of Culture!
Will Andrew Cuomo's Nursing Home Scandal Come Back to Haunt Him? - Disabled Journalists Association (discojourno.com)
Art work by Martha Valenta | Photo Credits: Laurence Agron for Dreamstime-Andrew Cuomo, JHansen2 for Dreamstime-RFK JR, Sheila Fitzgerald for Dreamstime-Gavin Newsom Thousands died in New York City nursing homes following then-Gov. Cuomo's controversial COVID-era mandate. As the Democratic mayoral primary approaches, disabled people urge fellow New Yorkers to do one simple
Churches are ignoring the Long COVID crisis. Some say it’s at odds with Christian values. - The Sick Times (thesicktimes.org)
COVID-concerned Christians and Christians with Long COVID feel abandoned by their religious institutions, alongside other institutions — a blow they believe contradicts the clear connections between Christian values and COVID-19 precautions.
Trump’s Visa Ban Is Barring New Foreign Doctors From Entering U.S. (forbes.com)
The pause on new J-1 visa appointments had already thrown a wrench in medical residencies, and now M.D.s from 19 countries may not be able to enter the U.S. at all, exacerbating the doctor shortage.
The stakes of RFK Jr.’s decision to remake vaccine panel are life and death (statnews.com)
What’s more, the health secretary's ACIP move could signal that more changes are coming — and the consequences could be dire.
How doctors are preparing for RFK Jr.’s shifts on vaccine policy - The 19th (19thnews.org)
After Kennedy gutted a key vaccine advisory panel, physicians are figuring out how they can share guidance to keep patients healthy.
ADA 35 – Leaders of Today: Jeiri Flores - Able News at The Viscardi Center (ablenews.com)
Jeiri Flores, who uses a power wheelchair to navigate the world around her, names her chair as part of embracing it. Her current wheelchair’s name is Bubbles, and she claims it as part of her identity.
Let’s Celebrate! | Braille Institute (brailleinstitute.org)
'Razor Blade Throat' Is Common Sign of New Covid Variant, Doctors Say (today.com)
A new COVID variant called NB.1.8.1, aka Nimbus, is spreading in the U.S. and causing an incredibly painful sore throat, doctors say.
Full article: How ableism impacts people who need and use AAC (tandfonline.com)
Update from the Future of AAC Research Summit (rerc-aac.psu.edu)
On May 13-14, 2024 the RERC on AAC and CommunicationFIRST co-hosted the Future of AAC Research Summit in Arlington, Virginia. The Summit brought together a group of 120 AAC users, academic research…
Deaf waiters serve up fine dining and accessibility at this Ottawa restaurant - The Globe and Mail (theglobeandmail.com)
Dark Fork restaurateur says more business owners should remove employment barriers for those who are deaf or hard of hearing
Deaf President Now! traces the powerful uprising that led to Deaf rights in the US – now again under threat (theconversation.com)
The powerful documentary on Apple TV+ is shining a light on a decades-long revolution that’s still unfolding, and now threatened under Trump.
Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone -- About Us Page (archive.ada.gov)
The ADA Home Page provides access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and State and local governments, technical assistance materials, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, links to Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities and information, updates on new ADA requirements, streaming video, information about Department of Justice ADA settlement agreements, consent decrees, and enforcement activities and access to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ADA material
Home | Disability EmpowHer Network (disabilityempowhernetwork.org)
Disability EmpowHer Network is a mentoring and leadership organization that empowers girls with disabilities through a transformative learning experiences.
Toledo Museum of Art: Discover World-Class Exhibitions & Events (toledomuseum.org)
Explore Art & Culture at Toledo Museum - Join Us!
Undue Medical Debt — Donor-powered medical debt relief, liberating everyday people. (unduemedicaldebt.org)
Undue Medical Debt makes it easy for donors to make an impactful difference in the lives of those struggling with medical debt.
Disability Community for Democracy, Inc. (disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.org)
National Disability Rights Network - P&A - CAP | NDRN (ndrn.org)
NDRN promotes the network’s capacity, ensures that P&As/CAPs remain strong and effective by providing training and fighting for people with disabilities.
Program Gives Students With Intellectual Disabilities ‘Full College Experience’ (disabilityscoop.com)
For students with disabilities who are unable to go to a traditional college, specialized offerings allow them to attend classes, live in campus dorms and participate in extracurricular activities.
NIH Launches Major Autism Research Initiative (disabilityscoop.com)
The National Institutes of Health is making $50 million available to study autism, but many researchers in the field are leery of the new initiative, which they say is rushed and skirts typical protocols.
White House Sued Over Accessibility (disabilityscoop.com)
Disability advocates are suing after the Trump White House abruptly stopped including sign language interpreters at press briefings and other events.
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Speech for ENIL General Assembly (youtube.com)
Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) Officer (app.unv.org)
The United Volunteers Platform (UVP) site is the UN webpage to initiate/manage your UNV volunteering career.
Bjièn (bjien.be)
Unlocking the power of neurodiversity at work.
Neurodiversity Pride Day (neurodiversityprideday.com)
A global celebration of neurodivergent minds. Join us in uplifting neurodiversity through pride, visibility, and joy.
La Capacité Juridique Sans Conditions (youtube.com)
Alors que la Convention Internationale relative aux Droits des Personnes Handicapées ratifiée en 2010 par la France , prône à travers l’article 12 , la prise de décision assistée et l’abandon de la tutelle , les personnes handicapées se voient trop souvent privées de leur capacité juridique . Nous essayerons lors de ce webinar avec nos intervenants , de réfléchir à une évolution de la législation en France en nous inspirant de expériences d’autres pays d’Europe.
The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 57/17, adopted in October 2023, decided to organize an expert workshop, accessible to persons with disabilities, before its fifty-ninth session, on the role of the family and family-oriented approaches, policies and programmes in the promotion and protection of human rights and in sustainable development, to highlight best practices from different regions, with the participation of representatives from States, United Nations entities and civil society.
EU Policy Briefing I (youtube.com)
In our first session of 2025, held on 20 May 2025, we discussed three topics:- The Review of the European Union by the Committee on the Rights of Persons wit...
Global Disability Inclusion Report (globaldisabilitysummit.org)
The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World was developed specifically for the Global Disability Summit 2025. It provides an overview of how the profound changes shaping our world impact the diversity of persons with disabilities and pathways to address these changes and drive inclusion across all aspects of […]
Spotlight On: Elevatus and Sexual Education Trainings (meriahnichols.com)
This is about Elevatus Training, which is a Sexual Education program for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. This was originally published in 2021 The full interview is in video below. If you prefer the
The Cost of Accessibility Tech Debt (a11ynews.substack.com)
Now I get why the Project Managers never took accessibility issues seriously!
A New Animated Short Looks at Autism Through a Personal Lens (exceptional-minds.org)
For Sammy, the question sets off a cascade of thoughts. In Too Many Options, a new animated short from the Exceptional Minds Animation Studio, a moment of small talk becomes a moment of overwhelm. As Sammy struggles to choose just one answer, the film offers a close look at analysis paralysis, an experience that’s especially common for people on the autism spectrum.
I've Marched, Rallied, and Protested In My Wheelchair. But It's Rarely Accessible. (emilyladau.substack.com)
Who is the revolution for if it's not for everyone?
A Bonanza of Books (rachelrkolb.substack.com)
Hard copy really hits different.
Meet Lucy - Dance Leader Environment Champion! (dancesyndrome.co.uk)
Lucy Burgess is DanceSyndrome's Dance Leader Environment Champion, representing the ideas of people with learning disabilities on the topic.
Juneteenth Through a Disability Justice Lens (ignitebykerigray.com)
This article explores honoring Juneteenth through a Disability Justice lens by centering access, care, and Collective Liberation.
Labour’s Pincer Movement (touretteshero.com)
Is it just me or is it feeling a lot like the 1930s all of a sudden? I’m giving myself permission to ask big questions like this in part because I’m not working at the moment. The reason why I’m not doing the job I love is because of the sudden and unexpected cuts to my Access to Work support.
Pride Month: Intersectionality and Inclusion (euansguide.com)
A blog post by Euan's Guide Review Coordinator, Pat, on Pride Month: Intersectionality and Inclusion.
Supreme Court Finds Retired Firefighter Cannot Sue for Disability Discrimination (nytimes.com)
In a tangled decision, the justices ruled against a disabled firefighter who sued her former employer for refusing her health benefits after she had retired.
Projects and Administration Officer (Maternity cover) (enil.eu)
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) is looking for a 4-month maternity cover for the Projects and Administration Officer in our Brussels office, with a starting date of 1 September 2025. The Projects and Administration Officer is responsible for the smooth running of our office, and for helping with the organisation of our meetings and events. Among the key responsibilities is coordinating the European Solidarity Corps programme at ENIL. This means, among other, supporting our volunteers with settling in and during their stay in Brussels.
From Lived Experience to Organisational Accountability and Why DE&I Demands Action (amoraju.com)
I’ve spent a lifetime navigating spaces never designed for someone like me. As a disabled Asian man in the UK, I grew up without seeing myself reflected in positions of power. I know the exhaustion of being the only one in the room and the transformative power of refusing to accept it…
Forbes' Accessibility 100 List 2025: Innovation in Accessibility (forbes.com)
Forbes’ first-ever Accessibility 100 highlights the biggest innovators and impact-makers in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities.
2Gether-International (app.betterunite.com)
Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: Unlocking Talent Through Apprenticeships .
‘Little Lobbyists’ Urge Senators to Oppose Trump’s Bill Cutting Medicaid (nytimes.com)
Children with disabilities and their parents who rely on the health insurance program took to Capitol Hill this week to warn that the proposed reductions could be ‘devastating.’
Disabled People are Being Mistreated in ICE Detention Facilities (disabledginger.com)
Why is no one talking about it? Where's the media? Where's the public outcry? Another example of the pervasive nature of ableism and how society views disabled people as expendable.
3 Arrested; State Capitol Police Block Protestors in Wheelchairs from Elevators (weny.com)
"Pennsylvania has been good at historically fragmenting our system and looking at us like we're a diagnosis. And not as a person,”
Dr. Oz thinks you should "prove that you matter." (emilyladau.substack.com)
(Spoiler alert: I don't think you should have to prove anything.)
What can disabled people get away with? (bbc.co.uk)
And Rosie Jones on Pushers, her new sitcom
LEXI Voice wins big at InfoComm 2025 (ai-media.tv)
AI-Media's first appearance at InfoComm 2025. LEXI Voice wins big at InfoComm 2025: five awards for its real-time AI voice translation - bringing multilingual access to the show floor and beyond.
House of Commons accessibility improves; Reserved seating and call lists urged (disabilityinsider.com)
Introducing reserved seating for members with a disability and call lists to make proceedings more predictable would make the Houses of Parliament more accessible, research shows.
Forbes Announces Its Inaugural Accessibility 100 List (allaccesslife.org)
We're extremely honored that All Access Life made the Forbes first-ever Accessibility 100 list! It means the world to us to be recognized with other leaders, innovators and changemakers driving accessibility forward around the world. What started out as an idea we came up with 7 years ago while we were waiting for adapted transportation, has turned into a something we are incredibly proud of! "I'm extremely grateful to have been selected by Forbes to attend Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to deliver an accessibility panel discussion with Steven Bertoni, Sarah Herrlinger and Lucy Edwards. I had an amazing time on stage presenting with these incredible individuals that are deeply passionate and knowledgeable on accessibility and overall just fun to be around!" - Brad A huge thanks to our families, friends and everyone who constantly supports us through our fundraisers and social media pages!
Tell us what matters: Take this 5-minute Reframing Disability survey (reframingdisability.substack.com)
What would you like from Reframing Disability in the coming year?
Marlee Matlin on Hollywood, Healing and Stories Still Untold (nytimes.com)
In a new documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” the star reflects on the joy, and pain, of being Hollywood’s first Oscar-winning Deaf actress.
In a New Documentary, the Deaf Actress Marlee Matlin Talks About Prejudice (nytimes.com)
In a new documentary, the actress talks about the prejudice and loneliness she faced after becoming the rare Hollywood star who is deaf.
Airlines Challenge Protections For Travelers With Wheelchairs (nytimes.com)
A landmark rule to expand the rights of disabled air travelers has been hamstrung by a lawsuit from major airlines and delayed enforcement by the Transportation Department.
Worthy to be Remembered (berlinklusion.de)
Berlinklusion
This MND Awareness Day, We Celebrate our founder, Euan MacDonald MBE (euansguide.com)
A blog post by disabled access charity Euan's Guide on Motor Neuron Disease Awareness Day, to honour their late founder, Euan MacDonald MBE, an incredibly special man who turned a life-changing diagnosis into a life-affirming mission to help others through all of his work, including Euan's Guide, Speak Unique and the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research at the University of Edinburgh.
Whip’s resignation over disability benefit cuts not a sign of major rebellion, Nandy says (theguardian.com)
Culture secretary says Vicky Foxcroft is only frontbench MP she knows who was considering quitting before vote
Goose (teawithhb.com)
Honk! Take a deep breath and… HONK. Oh dear, it seems I have been possessed by a goose. Before we get into more honking, I am asking for your support. After months of consideration and finding no alternatives, I have decided to turn on paid subscriptions on substack. I have
Reasearch and Benefits of using Red Light Therapy at Home (disabilityhorizons.com)
Red light therapy at home for disabled people is now science-backed for pain, skin, and energy. Learn how to use it safely, effectively, and affordably in 2025.
Wheelchair Travel Newsletter: Stevie's Introduction (wheelchairtravel.org)
Stevie brings a heartfelt family lens to Wheelchair Travel. As a mom and advocate, she will discuss navigating accessibility, embracing connection and pushing for a more inclusive travel world.
Forbes' Accessibility 100 List 2025: Innovation in Accessibility (forbes.com)
Forbes’ first-ever Accessibility 100 highlights the biggest innovators and impact-makers in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities.
Accessibility Leaders at Be My Eyes, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Special Olympics, NBC Sports, Nike, and More Are Chosen For Inaugural List
The Accessibility 100: Methodology (forbes.com)
The methodology behind Forbes' first-ever Accessibility 100 list of innovators and impact-makers in the field of accessibility
Accessibility In 2025: Forces, Finance, And The Future (forbes.com)
After decades of halting advances, the field of Accessibility is smack in the middle of a bustling (and often contentious) intersection of many forces.
Defying Categories: Money, Media And More (forbes.com)
Some accessibility impact-makers break the mold and fit into their own categories—from media training to venture capital.
Sports Access For Children, Weekend Warriors And Veterans (forbes.com)
From Paralympians down to weekend warriors, accessibility to sports and recreation are paramount for health and well-being.
The Companies Making Software Accessible To Billions (forbes.com)
Smaller software companies are working alongside behemoths like Apple, Google and Microsoft to make apps and other software accessible for all.
Clothing, Shampoo And Robotic Feeders: Products For Accessibility (forbes.com)
These innovators collaborate with people with wide ranges of sensory and physical disabilities to design products that address their community’s unique needs.
Mobility And Travel: Getting Around, Going Global (forbes.com)
From plain portable mats to AI-driven “smart” canes, these are the innovations that let disabled people explore the world like never before.
Polices And Protections: Accessibility’s Legal Frontier (forbes.com)
From voting booths to accessible technology, these are the biggest impact-makers in law and policy affecting the rights of people with disabilities.
Modeling, Music And Movies: Accessibility And The Arts (forbes.com)
These are the people and companies opening up doors for people with disabilities to attend—and build a career in—movies, music and the arts.
From Coding To Crops: The Accessible Workplace (forbes.com)
Many employers don’t instinctually know how to hire and support disabled workers. These companies open doors to jobs that once were inaccessible.
Accessible Education, From Preschool To Med School (forbes.com)
For children with disabilities education is doubly challenging. Educational systems must accommodate their needs operationally, but technology must continually innovate.
Communication Innovation: Sight, Sound And Touch (forbes.com)
These are the companies that are revolutionizing how people with sight, hearing and physical disabilities can communicate.
We don’t see anyone like us in jobs, say people with Down’s syndrome (thetimes.com)
Role models serving customers in hotels and hospitality would make many people with learning disabilities more confident about applying for jobs
Row of Life Chronicles the Adventurous Life and Tragic Death of Paralympian Angela Madsen (newmobility.com)
The new documentary Row of Life captures Marine veteran and three-time Paralympian Angela Madsen’s 2020 attempt to row from California to Hawaii on her own. Madsen, 60, sought to become the first…
Emma Tracey, Michael Buchannan and Jasmine Andersson answer your questions
Rayner refuses to rule out punishing Labour MPs who rebel over welfare cuts (theguardian.com)
Deputy PM defends government plan predicted to result in 1.2m people with disabilities losing thousands
DWP says transitional payments scheme for those losing Pip ‘one of most generous ever’ – UK politics live (theguardian.com)
Department for Work and Pensions publishes text of bill cutting benefits and claims three-month transitional period is ‘one of most generous ever’
Advocating from Athens to Brussels (enil.eu)
Ya sas everybody! I am Christos Meletis, a 30-year-old wheelchair user from Athens, Greece!
Living Inclusion Forum 2025 (inklusion-leben.org)
Data and the disaggregation of data play a vital role in our development actions being truly inclusive of all persons with disabilities. This ever-relevant topic will be at the center of discussions at this year’s LIN Forum. We want to talk about the current data situation and the importance of disaggregated data, the challenges of data collection, ethical considerations, and how to put it into practice.
Humour and Disability Visibility (enil.eu)
Being a Greek wheelchair user for the past seven years—and a disabled person my entire life—I’ve had plenty of opportunities to observe how people joke about disability. I’ve heard comments like, “You’re Hot Wheels!” or “Do you need a license to drive that thing?”. You might think that these jokes upset me, but honestly, they didn’t.
Cerebral Palsy: Building A Life Of Strength And Purpose (criplife.co.uk)
Andrew Gadd shares his personal journey with cerebral palsy, challenging societal assumptions and inspiring self-belief through cycling, mindset, and empowerment. Discover practical resources and join a supportive community committed to growth."
Global action needed as progress stalls on disability-inclusive development goals (news.un.org)
Nearly all the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators for persons with disabilities are off track, the UN deputy chief said on Tuesday, as people from around the world gathered for the largest annual meeting on disability-related issues.
Amina Mohammed Deputy Secretary-General (un.org)
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Mohammed served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment.
The Department of Energy is quietly slashing disability rights (motherjones.com)
"If we don't put a line in the sand here, other agencies will try and do the same.”
How Boccia Gave Me a Shot at Being an Athlete (audacitymagazine.com)
Boccia gave Cara an opportunity to play sport that included her and her disability. Maybe boccia is a sport for you, too. Read on.
Diversability Founder Tiffany Yu Named to Inaugural Forbes Accessibility 100 List (mydiversability.com)
Tiffany Yu, founder of Diversability, has been named to the inaugural Forbes Accessibility 100, a global list recognizing the top innovators and impact-makers working to advance accessibility and disability inclusion.
Government officials brace for up to 50 Labour MPs rebelling against welfare bill (theguardian.com)
Sources say party should have focused on the moral case for reforming the benefits system
Stephen Nolly (respectability.org)
Stephen Nolly is a Fellow in the TV Writing Intensive of the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab for 2025.
Rebekah Mueller (respectability.org)
Rebekah Mueller is a Fellow in the TV Writing Intensive of the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab for 2025.
Kimberly Manky (respectability.org)
Kimberly Manky is a Fellow in the TV Writing Intensive of the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab for 2025.
Diana Romero (respectability.org)
Diana Romero is a Fellow in the TV Writing Intensive of the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab for 2025.
Christopher James (respectability.org)
Christopher James is a Fellow in the TV Writing Intensive of the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab for 2025.
Canada releases second accessibility report (disabilityinsider.com)
Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, has released her second report assessing the country’s progress under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). The report highlights the outcomes being achieved in the ongoing effort to build an accessible Canada.
Aquatic therapy helps people with chronic low back pain (disabilityinsider.com)
A new Concordia study suggests that aquatic therapy for individuals with chronic low back pain can do more than strengthen the muscles around the spine. It can also have a beneficial impact on the negative psychological factors that are often associated with the disabling disease. The study used a randomized controlled trial involving two groups … Continue reading "Aquatic therapy helps people with chronic low back pain"
Marching for Freedom, Equality, and Human Rights in Norway (enil.eu)
Since 2008, Uloba – Independent Living Norway has organized the annual Stolthetsparaden (Disability Pride Parade), turning the streets of Oslo into a space for both celebration and protest. On Saturday 14th june, we did it again and it was powerful!
With classroom tech, meet students where they are (educatingalllearners.org)
Technology in the classroom has transformed how students learn and how teachers teach. What once was a space filled with lectures, textbooks, and rigid routines has evolved into a dynamic, interactive environment fueled by digital learning tools and creative teaching strategies.
Public Comment Period Closes on Proposed DOE Rule Change Affecting Building Accessibility Protections (respectability.org)
According to Regulations.gov, 20,711 public comments were submitted in response to the rule on new construction requirements.