Sandra Bond details how Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens are paying the price for government failures in #Revalidate2026. "Protecting access to care is about more than preserving organizations—it is about preserving the safety, dignity, independence, and well-being of thousands of Minnesotans."

Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens are paying the price for government failures | Access Press

Minnesota’s disability service providers support thousands of our state’s most vulnerable citizens every day. We provide homes, stability, and services […]

accesspress.org

"Lord there ain't no backup plan when your accessible van breaks down." www.facebook.com/share/v/1Hdn...

Planned "not-a-merger" combination of Allina Health with California's Sutter Health system. Unions involved "just learned" the news. How about Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute? [gift article]

Allina seeks to join California-based Sutter Health system

The combined nonprofit health system is not considered a merger as Allina Health will retain its brand, Minneapolis headquarters and focus on Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Allina officials said in ...

twincities.com

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it will transition medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) from states to its federal site. "Bringing in-house CDRs will improve service to our most vulnerable Americans." https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-03-12.html

In Hollywood, nearly ALL disabilities are invisible disabilities. UCLA annual report on diversity representation in film: While 26% of Americans have disabilities, only 6-14% of film actors have a disability. Writers and directors? Numbers too low to track. #disabilityarts #disabilitymedia

Disability Underrepresented in Top Films, UCLA Report Finds - Disability Belongs™

On screen, disability is mostly shown through nonapparent disabilities, leaving actors with more apparent disabilities almost entirely excluded from major roles.

disabilitybelongs.org

JOIN US .. open.substack.com/pub/disabili...

Kicking Off Q1 2026 With Two Special Events

'Being Black and Disabled is My Superpower' and 'In the Defense of Dignity' are organized by Disability Community for Democracy, Inc.

open.substack.com

Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library provides library service to Minnesotans who are blind, have low vision, or have difficulty reading print materials due to a temporary or permanent visual, reading, or physical disability. Learn more at education.mn.gov/btbl.

Mike Ervin, in his Smart Ass Cripple column at @theprogressivemag.bsky.social, writes a blistering, incisive commentary on cuts to the US Dept of Education and IDEA funding. A defunded ED can't "ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education.”

The Department of Education Shell Game

Disability accommodations are a casualty of the Trump Administration's campaign against the department.

progressive.org

BERNIE SANDERS: Do vaccines cause autism? BHATTACHARYA: I do not believe that the measles vaccine causes autism SANDERS: Nah. Uh uh. I didn't ask measles. Do vaccines cause autism? BHATTACHARYA: I have not seen a study that suggests any single vaccine causes autism

9 states (FL, TX, 7 more) just filed an update to a lawsuit "that seeks to undercut federal mandates that people with #disabilities receive care in their communities...[with] implications for millions of Americans, especially after Congress voted in 2025 to slash state Medicaid funding."

Nine states challenge federal mandate that disabled people receive care in community

A lawsuit from nine states seeks to undercut a federal mandate that people with disabilities receive care in their communities.

statnews.com

What happened when families convinced the Colorado Medical Services Board of the need for #Medicaid funds for home care of people with #disabilities?The state went ahead with #budgetcuts that "move family caregivers into the same category as host homes caring for up to three people at a time."

Plan to cut Medicaid rates for Coloradans with disabilities gets no support from governing board, moves ahead anyway

State Medicaid officials said they have authority to continue with the plan through an executive order from Gov. Jared Polis and that they will ask again for board approval

coloradosun.com

Northwestern researchers think higher rates of #LongCOVID symptoms in America are probably due to less stigma, more access to neurological and mental health care in the US than in Nigeria, India and other nations studied.

Long COVID brain fog far more common in US than India, other nations

Large study of patients in U.S., Colombia, Nigeria and India finds symptom burden highest in high-income countries

news.northwestern.edu

Between fraud and ICE: Minnesotans with disabilities are caught in the crossfire. We will not be collateral damage.

Caught in the crossfire: Minnesota’s fraud war and ICE influx are devastating for those with disabilities | Access Press

Recently, Minnesota was shaken by a series of fraud scandals. At first, this fraud just looked like a massive waste […]

accesspress.org

@disableddoctor.bsky.social just keeps sharing these pearls.

Disabled Doctor@disableddoctor.bsky.social · 8mo ago

“You are more than your disability!” No. I’m exactly the same amount. I am disabled and it doesn’t make me less than

Mid-Minnesota Law Center @legalaidmn.bsky.social, home of Minnesota's Disability Law Center, urges all to #StandWithMinnesota www.standwithminnesota.com

Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory

Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.

standwithminnesota.com

Send us details on your #poor, your #disabled, your #voters. "Allowing the federal government to efficiently investigate fraud will save Minnesota taxpayers’ money and ensure that Minnesota’s welfare funds are being used to help those in need."

Attorney General Bondi wants records of voters, Medicaid and SNAP recipients for ICE to leave Minnesota | Access Press

US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote Gov. Walz’s office on Saturday, January 24, after Alex Pretti was shot and killed […]

accesspress.org

Helpful reminders for #DisabledCreatives: your process, your time, your needs.

Dreamspace Studio@dreamspacestudio.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Your creative process doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. I build mine around my body, my energy, and real life, not hustle-culture standards. What helps your process actually work for you? #AdaptiveWorkflow #DisabilityLife

January 23 is Ed Roberts Day. We remember with gratitude his committed leadership for disability rights. Take a few moments today to explore the legacy of "the father of independent living." edrobertsandassociates.org

The Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab offers a 5-month professional development opportunity for disabled creatives. www.disabilitybelongs.org/lab/

Disability Belongs™ Labs for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities

A program elevating disabled creatives, focusing on building community, networking, and career advancement.

disabilitybelongs.org

Support your local library and making books available to all. The Friends of the St Paul Public Library point out that purchasing one title means buying copies in multiple formats: ​print, large print, eBook for two platforms, CD, Playaway, eAudiobook. #Accessibility #Disabilities

Books for All Saint Paul - The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

The City of Saint Paul includes money in the Library's budget each year to purchase the materials we check out. Due to financial constraints, the 2026 budget

thefriends.org

A lot of what we experience every day, both online and IRL, was initially designed for disabilities. “When we design for disability, we all benefit.” (Elise Roy) (And another reason to approach STEM in a humanities/social science/arts-informed manner — better overall UX)

Another recent study found that Long COVID is more likely in people who have experienced traumatic stress. https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/history-of-trauma-linked-to-risk-of-long-covid?

History of trauma linked to risk of long COVID - UW Medicine - Newsroom

newsroom.uw.edu

WED FEB 4: Virtual meeting for all on #disability services in Minnesota. ASL interpretation and CART live captioning provided. 

Let’s Talk About Disability Services in Minnesota | Minnesota Council On Disability

The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) will host “Let’s Talk About Disability Services in Minnesota,” a virtual statewide discussion focused on stability, accountability…

disability.state.mn.us

Long COVID in kids: Just-published study finds increased school absences, memory problems, difficulty making friends.  https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/research-ties-long-covid-kids-chronic-school-absenteeism-learning-problems?

Research ties long COVID in kids to chronic school absenteeism, learning problems

Long COVID was also linked to a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression.

cidrap.umn.edu

Noah Cox, a lawyer in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, formed the #Neurocognitive Disorder Team built on the premise that prison is not always the right place for someone with this kind of #disability.

Defending the Disabled : Up First from NPR

L.A. County Public Defender Noah Cox noticed the disturbing trend. Many of his clients seemed to struggle answering even the most basic questions about the crimes they’d been charged with, questions l...

npr.org

#Disabilityrights are #civilrights. Thanks to Martin Luther King Jr for leading the way. “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

When the 'Capitol Crawl' Dramatized the Need for Americans with Disabilities Act | HISTORY

The 1990 protest demonstrated the barriers that inaccessible buildings create for people with disabilities.

history.com

Ellie Sherwood Kidder shares her story of linguistic deprivation trauma. #deaf #disabilities accesspress.org/buried-deaf-...

Buried deaf child coming home | Access Press

A personal story When I was seven years old, I experienced something I did not have the language to explain. […]

accesspress.org

"When u r #diagnosed with a #disability, #doctors don’t tell u that it’s going to be more difficult to make #friends & u figure these things out when you go to school & are eating by yourself.": buff.ly/6BJhyyW by sarahlynn358 #NEisVoid #awareness #DisabledPeople

What Doctors Don’t Tell You About Disability

When you are diagnosed with a disability, sometimes people think that their doctor will tell them everything they need to know to live well with a disability, and I only wish that were true. Doctor…

buff.ly