An OpEd from Me and News Items of the Week
Editor's Note: The disability community is increasingly preferring to use identity-first language (disabled person) in place of person-first language (person with a disability). This is because many in the community view disability as being a core component of identity, much like race and gender. Some members of the community, such as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, still prefer person-first language. Both should be considered valid. Articles shared in this newsletter may contain one or the other (or both) depending on the author's preference, and if they themselves have a disability.
My latest OpEd has been posted at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette: Opinion/Guest column: Protection for disabled hangs in DOJ's balance
"While immigrants in detention centers are different from disabled individuals who need 24/7 care, the additional need for care often means increased potential for abuse. Historically, disabled children and adults have suffered verbal, physical and sexual abuse from staff in many institutions. That is the reason people with disabilities fought so hard to leave institutions and remain free of them once out."
Disability Law United Joins Supreme Court Amicus Brief Opposing Attempt to Weaponize Disability Rights Against LGBTQIA+ Families by Disability United Law staff on August 27, 2026
"The case centers on Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program, which provides public funding for preschool while requiring participating schools to comply with the program’s nondiscrimination rules. Several Catholic schools sued the state, arguing that UPK’s nondiscrimination requirement unconstitutionally burdens their religious exercise. The schools want access to UPK funding, but also want to be able to deny enrollment to LGBTQIA+ children and families – something the program’s nondiscrimination requirement does not allow.'
America beat measles once. RFK Jr. is making it harder to do so again. by Tara C. Smith on August 28, 2026 at MS Now
"But regardless of what we else we find out about the Pennsylvania situation, we’re in the middle of the worst measles outbreak the United States has experienced in 35 years. We have lost our path and are headed for more cases, more suffering, more deaths and enormous financial costs."
‘Democracy Is Under Attack’: Civil Rights Lawsuit Aims to Block Trump Assault on Mail-In Voting by Brett Wilkins on Augus 27, 2026 at Common Dreams
"The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, NAACP, Common Cause, and Black Voters Matter Fund argued in the US District Court for the District of Columbia that Trump’s March 31 executive order unlawfully attempts to federalize important parts of election administration—especially voter eligibility verification and mail-ballot delivery—by presidential fiat, without authorization from Congress, while creating serious risks of disenfranchisement and misuse of personal data."
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