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
September 21 – 27: International Week of Deaf People
Learn more about the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), one of the oldest international organizations of people with disabilities in the world (marking its 75th anniversary this year!), and how you can celebrate deaf culture and support human rights.
September: National Recovery Month
National Recovery month is an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the connections that make recovery possible and help people build healthy, fulfilling lives. Check out the digital toolkit from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to find a great collection of messages and graphics you can use to raise awareness and support recovery.
Fact Sheet: National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert Initiative
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), launched this initiative to improve response when autistic individuals are reported missing. This fact sheet outlines “ten things everyone should know” about the initiative.
ADA Legal News
Texas: American Airlines to Pay $200,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Following Termination of Blind Employee
American Airlines, Inc. will pay $200,000 to settle an ADA lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit alleged that the when an employee developed a vision disability, she requested to use screen reader software to enable her to use the company’s computer systems to perform her job duties, or to be transferred to another position. The lawsuit charged the company with failing to provide any accommodation at all, instead keeping her on unpaid, involuntary leave and ultimately firing her.
Indiana: Damar Services to Pay $65,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit Over Rejection of Deaf Applicant
Damar Services, Inc., an Indianapolis residential services provider for individuals with developmental disabilities, will pay $65,000 and take other actions to settle an ADA lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Damar applied hiring standards which screened out applicants with hearing and vision disabilities, made prohibited disability-related inquiries, and rejected a qualified applicant because he is deaf, despite his ability to perform the job.
Communications News
New Guide: Closed Captioning Display Requirements for Equipment
This new guide from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlines provisions that enable consumers to configure the display of closed captions in ways that suit their viewing needs on devices such as television receivers, converter boxes, set-top boxes, smartphones, tablets, and personal computers.
Travel and Recreation News
Ten National Parks That Make the Outdoors More Accessible
This article highlights ten national parks with a wide variety of accessible features and programs, from wheelchair-accessible trails and American Sign Language tours to tactile museum exhibits and sensory tools.
Training, Events, and Opportunities to Participate
Webinar: Planning Accessible Events: Building Accessibility into Every Stage
September 30, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Creating an accessible event takes more than meeting minimum ADA requirements. This webinar will explore how to thoughtfully incorporate accessibility into every stage of event planning—from initial design and communications with event organizers to ticket purchasing, accommodations, and on-site support.
Whether you are planning a small meeting, training, conference, or stadium event, this webinar will provide tools and considerations to help make accessibility an intentional part of the planning process from the start.
The Accessible Healthcare Workshop: Real-World Lessons from Health Systems Nationwide
October 1 – 2, 2026
Virtual Workshop
People with disabilities make up more than a quarter of U.S. adults — over 70 million people — and experience significant gaps in the quality and safety of the care they receive. Healthcare organizations are increasingly committed to closing those gaps, but knowing where to start and how to move from policy to daily practice remains a challenge.
The workshop, presented by Disability Equity Collaborative (DEC), in partnership with Rusk Rehabilitation and the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity at NYU Langone Health, is designed for teams working to implement accessible care, and anyone whose role supports patients with disabilities in accessing care. Speakers from a wide variety of health systems will share how they are putting disability access into practice.
New Web Courses from the New England ADA Center
Architectural Access in Theaters, Auditoriums and Other Assembly Areas covers ADA design requirements such as ticket windows, concession stands, accessible seating, dressing rooms, assistive listening systems, lawn seating, sports team seating, press boxes at stadiums, and more. It also addresses accessibly requirements triggered by alterations, accessibility requirements in pre-ADA facilities, and how historic preservation dovetails with the ADA.
Introduction to Digital Accessibility provides a basic introduction to digital accessibility for non-technical individuals. It outlines relevant laws and guidelines, how people with disabilities navigate digital content, basic concepts from the Worldwide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the limitations of web accessibility overlays and widgets.
FCC Seeks Membership Applications for Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to recharter the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee to make recommendations on communications and telecommunications matters related to disability access and consumer protection. The deadline to apply is September 14, 2026.
AAPD: Applications Accepted for 2027 Summer Internships
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is accepting applications for its 2027 Summer Internship Program, which supports the development of the next generation of leaders with disabilities. The program places college students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in paid summer internships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations within the Washington, D.C. area.
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2026. There will be an information session on September 10 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Eastern, which will be recorded and posted to the AAPD website.
Work, Accommodations, and Technology Survey: Seeking Input on Working with Physical Disabilities
Researchers want to better understand how workplace experiences, accommodations, and assistive technology (AT) influence employment outcomes for adults with physical disabilities. Participants must be at least 18 years old, have a physical disability, currently live in the United States and have worked within the last five years, and be able to read and understand English or Spanish.
Survey on Information Needs Related to SCI, TBI, and Burn Injuries
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) seeks participants for a brief survey on the need for information on spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or burn injuries. Participants must be over age 18 and may be a person with a TBI, SCI, or burn injury, or a caregiver, clinician, or state or federal program administrator. The information gathered will help MSKTC develop future publications and products for individuals, caregivers, and practitioners.
D20 Survey: Provide Your Input to International Policymaking!
The Disability 20 (D20) survey brings the voices, experiences, and leadership of people with disabilities into discussions connected to the G20, an international forum representing many of the world’s largest economies.
The survey asks about issues that affect people with disabilities, including access to benefits and services, accessibility, employment, healthcare, education, technology, community participation, and more.
The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.