News Items - September 7, 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.
Voting Wrongs a collection of articles posted by various authors at TruthOut (multiple dates).
"In name, the United States is a democracy, but in practice, many millions of people are disenfranchised — whether because of felony convictions, undocumented status, onerous state and local voting restrictions, or other structural barriers. Partisan, racist gerrymandering manipulates districts, stifling the voting power of whole communities. Meanwhile, archaic mechanisms like the Electoral College prevent the votes of all people from being truly counted. Fortunately, activists around the country are working hard to gain the ballot — and make it count — for everyone in this country. This series, “Voting Wrongs,” exposes the injustices that disenfranchise vast numbers of people — and the bold efforts that seek to transform the way the United States does “democracy.” "
You Don’t Have a Right to Safe Drinking Water, US Court Rules by Sophie Hurwitz on September 5, 2026 at Mother Jones
"The lawsuit, first filed in 2022, says the contamination violated Jacksonians’ constitutional right to bodily integrity. Donald Trump-appointed judge Kurt Engelhardt disagreed. “The Constitution does not provide redress for every governmental wrongdoing,” Engelhardt said. “Defendants’ actions allegedly deprived Plaintiffs of clean water and guileless information. These deprivations, while grievous, do not infringe upon any deeply rooted constitutional right.” "
Massachusetts hospitals are teaching Trump how easily trans care can be erased by Christopher Wiggins on September 2, 2026 at The Advocate
"Protect Trans Futures has heard from patients who received unusable referrals, encountered waits lasting six to eight months, or had to restart lengthy evaluations. One 18-year-old referred from Fenway to Boston Children’s Hospital was rejected because of their age, Walker said. It ultimately became easier for the patient to fly back to a Republican-led state for care."
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