We post our bi-weekly bulletin to keep you up to date on disability-related resources, news, and other items of interest. This information is being provided solely for non-commercial, nonprofit educational purposes, including news reporting and research. It is not intended for commercial purposes. Further, we understand that our readers generally read the articles and information online, at the websites provided in the hyperlinks, rather than relying solely on our synopses or copies. We are not responsible for the accessibility or the content of other websites. Please be aware that some links provided are time sensitive, and may become inactive at any time.
We include links to articles, editorials and opinion pieces, press releases, and other materials that represent diverse perspectives. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of any products, services, sources, information, or opinions expressed in these materials.
General News
“The Iconic Civil Rights Protest You Don’t Know”
This article recounts the “Capitol Crawl” protest that focused attention on efforts to enact the ADA in 1990.
“Disability amid Disaster: People with Disabilities are Disproportionately Impacted by Natural Disasters”
Census Bureau data show that people with disabilities are more likely to be displaced, never return home, and receive scam offers following disasters.
“Plain Language and Easy Read Communication”
The Center on Disability offers guidance to help businesses and government agencies improve the effectiveness of their public messages by using clear, simple language.
Employment News
“Driving Performance and Well-Being Through Proactive Mental Health”
This article encourages companies to take a proactive approach to mental health in the workplace by supporting employees and fostering psychologically safe environments that reduce stigma.
State and Local Government News
“How Philadelphia Police Draw on Personal Experiences to Respond to Mental Health Crises”
This article highlights Philadelphia’s Crisis Intervention Response Teams (CIRT), which focus on de-escalating crises and connecting people to mental health support services as an alternative to arrest.
Transportation News
America Walks Promotes Walkable Communities
Did you know that nearly a third of Americans don’t drive? Whether due to age, disability, or financial constraints, millions of people rely on walking/rolling, biking, public transit, or some other way to go where they need to go. But decades of car-dependent policies have left many American communities unprepared to serve people who don’t drive.
This blog post from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center highlights America Walks, a national organization that promotes walkable, accessible communities.
Health and Wellness News
Policy Research Brief: Hearing Aids Are Disproportionately Inaccessible for Individuals with Disabilities
This brief, available in English and Spanish from the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, recommends policy changes to ensure coverage for prescription hearing aids for people who need them.
“5 Key Facts About Medicaid Coverage for People with Disabilities”
This article outlines potential implications of changes being considered by Congress to reduce federal spending on Medicaid.
“VA Cuts Could Threaten Mental Health Services for Countless Veterans”
Some veterans fear that staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs could make it harder for veterans to get the services they need.
“’They Won’t Help Me’: Sickest Patients Face Insurance Denials Despite Policy Fixes”
This article highlights experiences of patients struggling to get approval for medical tests and treatments their doctors say they need.
Recreation News
“Entertainment Software Association Introduces the Accessible Games Initiative to Provide Players with Information About Accessibility Features in Video Games”
This cross-industry effort is designed to provide consumers with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games.
Training, Events, and Opportunities to Participate
Webinar: Fair Housing for Tenants with Disabilities: Understanding Reasonable Accommodations and Reasonable Modifications
April 16, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Join e.v. yost and Luciene Parsley, attorneys at Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), to learn about federal fair housing laws that protect tenants with disabilities, the role of protection and advocacy systems across the country, and the work DRM does to protect the fair housing rights of people with disabilities in Maryland.
In this session, you’ll gain a better understanding of rights to reasonable accommodations and modifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. You’ll also improve practical skills and knowledge about how to write effective letters requesting reasonable accommodations, obtain needed resources, and enforce the right to equal access and benefits in housing!
Webinar Series: The Human Experience of Black People with Disabilities and Their Rights Under the ADA
Join us as we unpack our research findings and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, as well as the challenges and barriers, faced by Black individuals with disabilities in accessing information and exercising their rights under the ADA. The series features four free sessions, and you can register for any or all of them:
June 3, 2025: Intersectionality: Unpacking Discrimination, Stigma, and Multiple Marginalization
September 2, 2025: Fighting for Civil and Disability Rights: Strategies to Overcome Barriers
December 2, 2025: The Power of Visibility and Community Advocacy
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Seeks Public Input on State Plan
The VBPD is working on the next State Plan to guide their work in the coming years, and welcomes input from people with developmental disabilities, their family members, and people who serve them.