News Items - May 17, 2026
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.
ACTION ITEM: Tell Congress to protect all students "Congress is considering H.R. 2616, a bill that would require schools to disclose a student's identity to their legal guardians and obtain their consent before providing transgender and nonbinary students with accommodations they are entitled to under federal law, such as access to appropriate bathrooms or being called by their chosen name and pronouns. Policies like this risk student safety and undermine safe learning environments." (Created by Advocates for Tans Equality).
Disabled Advocates Head to Congress for AAPD Disability Power on the Hill 2026 posted by the American Association of People with Disabilities on May 11, 2026
"At a time when many disabled people face growing threats to health care, education, economic security, and community living supports, disability advocates from across the country are coming to Capitol Hill from May 11th to 15th to join the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in educating Congress on the need to protect disability rights and invest in disabled communities."
SCOTUS Ruling on Voting Rights Act Puts a Third of Black Caucus Seats at Risk by Chris Walker on May 15, 2026 at Truthout
"As a consequence of that ruling, up to 19 Democratic lawmakers within the 62-member Congressional Black Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives could be removed from office this year or in the next few years, an analysis from ABC News concluded — not necessarily because constituents disagree with their views or want better alternatives, but because state legislatures could redistrict congressional boundaries to help Republican candidates win instead."
“Counterterrorism” Now Officially Means Targeting Trans People by Sophie Hurwitz on May 8, 2026 at Mother Jones
"[On Wednesday, the White House released a new “United States Counterterrorism Strategy"] Wednesday’s document, masterminded by White House “counterterrorism czar” Sebastian Gorka, does not mention far-right violence at all. It identifies “Violent Left-Wing Extremists, including Anarchists and Anti-Fascists” as a security threat of equal severity to “Legacy Islamist Terrorists” and “Narcoterrorists and Transnational Gangs.” The administration will now apparently “prioritize the rapid identification and neutralization of violent secular political groups whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.” "
Other Newsletters I follow:
Organizations