AAPD is hiring 2 Alumni Network Regional Gathering Co-Organizers to help plan and execute our upcoming Washington, DC Alumni Network Gathering on November 6-8, 2026! Apply here by August 16, 5 PM PT: https://ats.rippling.com/aapd-jobs/jobs/9ac50c26-64b9-4d68-812b-9850e98a23c4

We’re feeling ✨kinda chic✨lately, are you?

36 years ago today, the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush (with AAPD co-founder Justin Dart by his side!). The ADA transformed this country and access to public life for disabled people. Today, we are still fighting to protect the ADA and other hard-fought disability rights.

The recent Medicaid work requirement rule has caused fear and confusion, so here are some fast facts. You can learn more at our webinar from 2-3:30 PM ET today, and via AAPD's recent explainers. Register for the webinar at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

Summer Internship Program alum Jack Reeves wrote about the intersection of LGBTQI+ Pride Month and Disability Pride Month. As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, Jack argues it is important to ensure the rights of disabled and LGBTQI+ Americans. Read the blog at https://ow.ly/BR4t50ZmfFv.

Last month, AAPD was in PBS NewsHour, The New York Times, NPR, and Where the Ramp Ends for our work on disability rights and independent living. Across these stories, AAPD was cited as a leading voice on how recent changes to disability policy could threaten the dignity of disabled Americans.

AAPD is hosting a webinar on July 14 from 2 - 3:30 PM ET about the Medicaid work requirements. Panelists Rachel Patterson from Patterson & Meek and Jennifer Lav from the National Health Law Program will discuss how disabled people may be affected. Register at https://ow.ly/nnv750ZlLqm.

The ADA’s legacy is still being written. Join AAPD on July 22 at the Westin DC Downtown as we celebrate 36 years of the ADA, honor the leadership of Rep. Steny Hoyer and gather in community for the work ahead. Tickets: https://ow.ly/6HR550ZlcZH #ADA36 #DisabilityRights

Disability Mentoring Day takes place this October! Join an AAPD orientation call to learn how you can become a DMD Coordinator and help disabled students and young people connect with mentors and explore career paths. July 16 or Aug. 20, 4 - 5 PM ET Sign up: https://ow.ly/Ol5A50ZjrRv

July is Disability Pride Month! To kick off the month, AAPD Editorial Manager Naomi Hess wrote a blog about the importance of disabled love in all its forms. Read the full blog: https://www.aapd.com/disabled-love-will-keep-us-going/

This week’s Supreme Court decisions on TPS and asylum will affect immigrant communities, including disabled immigrants, care workers, families, and people seeking safety. AAPD is in solidarity with everyone affected by these decisions. https://ow.ly/NuKL50ZhK0C

Supreme Court Decision on TPS Threatens America's Care Workforce and the Seniors Who Depend On It - Care for Seniors, Care for America

WASHINGTON – Following today’s Supreme Court decision in Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot, which reversed delays to ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian and Haitian nationals, Care...

ow.ly

27 years ago today, the Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C guaranteed disabled people the right to live and receive services in their communities. These rights are now under attack, but we will keep fighting.

The USPS is considering a new process to how ballots are mailed and collected, which could result in eligible voters not receiving their ballot. Take action 👉 https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-protect-vote-by-mail-submit-a-comment-to-the-united-states-postal-service-usps

Action Alert: Protect Vote By Mail, Submit a Comment to the United States Postal Service (USPS) - AAPD

aapd.com

We're so excited to announce that our 2026 Summer Interns have officially started! Read about them here: https://www.aapd.com/meet-the-2026-interns/

Announcing the Summer 2026 Internship Cohort - AAPD

aapd.com

CMS' new work requirements threaten the health, safety, and independence of the millions of people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid. AAPD is working hard to educate our community about these new requirements and how to prepare for them. Learn more here: www.aapd.com/medicaid-wor...

Medicaid Work Requirements FAQ - AAPD

To view this resource as a PDF, click here. On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) implementing new Medicaid work requirements, also kno...

aapd.com

Research from Lurie Institute for Disability Policy found that 13% of disabled people identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 7% of non-disabled people? Check out this link for guidance on how to make events accessible! https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AAPDs-Event-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf

“There are going to be so many disabled people and chronically ill people who lose access to their health care and other kinds of supports that Medicaid provides,” said Maria Town, the President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Mother Jones@motherjones.com · 2mo ago

“It’s hard not to think that the cruelty of the policy is the point.” The CMS released its interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements, mandating that everyone who seeks Medicaid support has to prove they are unable to work to a greater extent, even if they are already on Medicaid.

Join the movement to bring transformative experiences and mentorship to disabled young people and students by becoming a 2026 Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator! Join one of two calls on 7/16 or 8/20 from 4-5 PM ET. Email dmd@aapd.com with questions! Register: https://forms.gle/kKorYyaDZgJfrzMc9

Disability Mentoring Day Orientation Sign Up

Hello! This form is for those who plan to attend Disability Mentoring Day Orientations. New and returning event coordinators can come to these virtual orientations to learn more about the goals of Disability Mentoring Day, how to run an accessible event, and get insight and resources from other planners! There are two events, one on Thursday July 16th and the other on Thursday August 20th, both from 2-3PM MT/1-2 PT/ 4-5 ET but you only need to attend whichever works best for your schedule. Zoom link will be sent out before the meeting. Thanks! If you have questions or access needs please...

forms.gle

F&R and @dredf.bsky.social filed an amicus brief to protect the right of individual disabled people to challenge discrimination by executive agencies, including the President. We support the NAD’s efforts to make the WH provide ASL interpreters. #disabilityrights foxrob.com/2026/06/03/f...

F&R Files Amicus Brief Challenging White House Refusal to Provide Sign Language Interpreters. | Fox & Robertson

Along with co-author Michelle Uzeta, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, F&R filed an amicus brief on behalf of DREDF and eight other disability rights organization...

foxrob.com

“Despite Congress’ promises that people with disabilities will be exempt from these requirements, not all people with disabilities are exempt. Disabled people will lose access to Medicaid” - @mariatown.bsky.social @aapd.com #ProtectMedicaid www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/06/03/m...

Medicaid Changes Will Push People With Disabilities Off Program, Advocates Warn

The Trump administration is unveiling long-awaited details about new, more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules and raising fresh concerns about implications for people with disabilities.

disabilityscoop.com

CMS will publish interim final rule on Medicaid work and community engagement requirements. This is a part of the changes and cuts ushered into Medicaid via HR 1 last year. There will be a comment period through July 31st. Work requirements cut people off of healthcare. www.aapd.com/work-require...

Important Update on Medicaid Work Requirements - AAPD

New Federal Guidance Implements Policy That, Research Shows, Will Not Increase Employment and Unenrolls Eligible Individuals From Medicaid Coverage For Immediate Release: June 1, 2026 Contact: Jess Da...

aapd.com

Today, we learned that on June 3, 2026, CMS will publish a rule that tells states how to comply with Medicaid work requirements in Jan. 2027. Read AAPD's statement to find out what we learned today, and what comes next: www.aapd.com/work-require...

Important Update on Medicaid Work Requirements - AAPD

New Federal Guidance Implements Policy That, Research Shows, Will Not Increase Employment and Unenrolls Eligible Individuals From Medicaid Coverage For Immediate Release: June 1, 2026 Contact: Jess Da...

aapd.com

For many disabled people, including veterans and trauma survivors, emotional support animals help them remain connected to their communities. Now Housing and Urban Development (HUD) says it will stop enforcing this protection under the Fair Housing Act. Read More: dredf.org/huds-esa-pol...

An Enforcement Agency That Won't Enforce: HUD's Policy Reversal On Emotional Support Animals - DREDF

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

dredf.org

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on its impact. 75 advocates from 17 states held meetings with 72 different Congressional offices over the course of two days. https://www.aapd.com/disability-power-on-the-hill-2026-voices-advocacy-and-community-in-action/

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Access looks different for everyone. It goes beyond things like screen readers, automatic doors, and ramps. We asked our staff what’s something out of the ordinary they do for access, and here’s what they said:

Today kicks off our 3rd annual Disability Power on the Hill! Disability Power on the Hill is a time when disability advocates from around the country gather together on Capitol Hill to discuss important issues facing disabled Americans with their representatives in Congress. #DisabilityPower26

You have until May 29th to apply for AAPD's 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship! Are you a student looking to pursue a career in media, communications, or entertainment? https://www.aapd.com/tony-coelho-media-scholarship/

Indiana Attorney General dropped out of the Texas v. Kennedy case which would protect people with disabilities from discrimination in healthcare and human services. From 17 states to 8. S/o The Arc of Indiana for local advocacy! https://www.arcind.org/news/ag-rokita-withdraws-from-texas-v-kennedy/

A huge thank you to Wells Fargo for being the co-presenting partner for our 2026 National Community Event. Your commitment to inclusion helped make our event possible.

At the AAPD National Community Event happening tonight, you will hear from disabled grassroots activists fighting for voting access for the disability community nationwide. There is still time to get a ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-aapd-national-community-event-tickets-1982299255435