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.

Did you know July is Disability Pride Month? It originate das a way to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July of 1990. Disability Pride months celebrates people with disabilities and seeks to change the way people think about disabilities. While things have improved since the days of ugly laws and forced institutions of anyone even perceived as disabled there is still far to much stigma and shame around being disabled. And the current administration keeps making it obvious that they would love for us all to disappear back into those institutions. Disability Pride is meant to be a way to act against ableism and stigma, as a way to celebrate being who we are.

I know some people get frustrated or angry with the idea of Disability Pride because it feels like it ignores their struggles and the ways their debilities have had negative impact on their lives. Disability Pride isn't supposed to be about ignoring any of the struggles people face. Nor is it supposed to be about ignoring the fact that many disabilities cause lifelong pain that can be hard to manage and can cause early deaths. Its supposed to emphasize that our lives have meaning and society would be better for all of us if disabled people were actually helped and supported. If we had better access to health care and the services we need. We actually do have the right to exist and not be shut away and ignored.

Disability Pride Month 2026: What It Is, the 2026 Theme, and How to Celebrate by The Arc

History of Disability Pride Month by the American Association of People with Disabilities

Disability Pride and Advocating for Access by Lissie Cox at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Three Items I have posted about Previously

1) U.S. Department of Education moving the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The ARC has an action item on this topic: Defend IDEA: Keep Special Education Where It Belongs

2) Work requirements for Medicaid which will go into effect January 1, 2027. The American Association of People with Disabilities has a FAQ page regarding this topic.

3) The Department of Justice released a memo treating the Olmstead decision and the need for community care. This Infographic series from the Center for Racial and Disability Justice explains more about Olmstead.

The current administration sees disabled people as a burden and a drain on society. They don't care to help anyone with any of these actions. None of these changes will help people disabled people. They are an attempt to remove the rights and freedoms that were fought for previously. They are an attempt to say that we do not belong in society. Instead of doing anything to improve our lives they will only be making things harder for everyone.

We can and should do better. I believe we can do better when people with disabilities are allowed to live their lives on their own terms. When society actually lives up to the promise of the American's with Disabilities act and Olmsted and 504 and all the other rights and protections that were fought for and are still being fought for. There isn't any reason it has to be this hard for any of us.