Dennis Tran, one of our Advocate Corps self-advocates, recently entered his short-film in @eastersealssocal.bsky.social Disability Film Challenge. It is a piece that speaks to the magnitude of individual experience, resilience, courage, and community. youtu.be/jw3sC6vAITk?...

Did you know that people with IDD are the most medically underserved population? Renee Manfredi, a health messenger with the Special Olympics, highlights the importance of respectful, inclusive health care for people with IDD as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month concludes.

Today is Autism Acceptance Day. Did you know? 8 out of 10 autistic girls are undiagnosed at age 18. Boys are 4x more likely to be diagnosed. Diagnosis is so important because it can help explain symptoms and connect people to healthcare resources for support.

"Often clinicians forget that women with IDD can be sexual beings and want to be sexual beings." Clinicians, don't assume your patients with IDD aren't sexually active or interested in being active. They may need additional support if they struggle with social cues and communication.

"Women with disabilities have a 60% higher mortality than other women when they go to give birth." But it doesn't need to be that way.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) help older adults and people with disabilities live in their own homes and stay connected in their communities. The alternatives, nursing homes and other institutions, are more costly and disconnect people from community www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...

We're very excited to see two important papers published by the American College of Physicians that highlight the need for better support for both patients and physicians with disabilities. www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom...

“When Medicaid is cut, people with disabilities are at the center of the impact"

Our president and CEO Mai Pham was recently featured on the Gooznews podcast (Merrill Goozner) and spoke about her work with IEC in an episode titled: Exceptional Caring Listen to it here: gooznews.substack.com/p/podcast-ex...

After U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remade a key federal #autism panel, some of the nation's most influential researchers and advocates are creating a competing one. #disabilities

States have started proposing steep reductions in disability services to cope with Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Idaho is the first to suggest scrapping home care altogether — An action with a high human cost. My latest @19thnews.org.

We recognize Lois Curtis during #BlackHistoryMonth Lois was the lead plaintiff on a Supreme Court case that found segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination, and helped pave the way for connecting people with disabilities in their communities.

Our CEO recently joined a panel to discuss "The Future of Accountable Care" with Health Affairs. Learn more about shaping the future of how healthcare is paid for. Watch it now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2r...

"Nicole LeBlanc ... said she had noticed how the ['R-word'] had returned as a common, everyday insult. Hearing it, she said, she feels the sting of stigma — even when it isn’t directed at her or another person with a disability." @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...

Join Health Affairs and our CEO, Mai Pham, for a virtual event with a panel of experts and the outlook for accountable care organizations (ACOs) through the perspectives of current and former policymakers and analysts. Date: Tues, Jan 27 Time: 4-5 pm ET www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/h...

"I keep doing this work because I see the traction that we're getting. I see the growing number of clinicians who take these training courses. I see the enthusiasm with which over 30 dental practices volunteered to try our dental toolkit." Hear from our president and CEO, Mai Pham.

In this season of peace and struggle, we would like to amplify the voice of one of our long-standing self-advocates, BJ Stasio. As a prolific disability rights leader, BJ uses his voice, presence, and creativity to share his struggles, insights, and hopes for a brighter future.

"Of course, this year has been really tough for IEC and for many other organizations. We have also seen it take a real toll on people with IDD who are our partners in our work and on their family members." - Mai Pham, IEC President and CEO

🚨 Big News! 🎉 Today (Aug 26, 2025) our CEO Dr. Mai Pham joins Dr. Teal Benevides, Dr. Julie Seibert & Dr. Kathryn Thompson to present key findings from the IIDDEAL project. @academyhealth.bsky.social This #virtual event is FREE & open to all! Register here 👉 academyhealth.org/events/webin...

“I like the camaraderie of like-minded people, meeting other self-advocates, and being part of something bigger than myself.” — Gyasi Burks-Abbott, IDD Advocate Corps Member Learn more about the Advocate Corps and other accomplishments in our 2024 Impact Report: www.ie-care.org/making-healt...

In 2024, we released The Roadmap for Disability-Inclusive Healthcare, a shared vision for a future where people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) receive safe, equitable care. Find The Roadmap and our vision for inclusive healthcare here: www.inclusivecareroadmap.org

Our 2024 Impact Report is here 🎉 We're working to create a healthcare system that works for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). In 2024, we made meaningful progress thanks to our supporters, partners, and self-advocates. Read it: www.ie-care.org/making-healt...

We’re excited to share that our president and CEO, Dr. Mai Pham, was featured on the latest episode of Our Voices, Our Future, a podcast by @amwadoctors.bsky.social 🎧 Listen to the episode! Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1yrm...

“Today is our day to celebrate who we are. So be proud of who we are. But tomorrow is a new day, and a new battle is coming.” — BJ Stasio, Disability Self-Advocate BJ delivered a powerful message at New York’s celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Today, the U.S. House passed a budget bill that includes deep cuts to Medicaid. This will directly harm millions of people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for healthcare, home support, and services that help them live in their communities. Full statement: www.ie-care.org/a-step-backw...

With recent policy changes creating new obstacles for trans youth and their families, being an informed ally can make a big difference in improving healthcare for the trans disability community. www.ie-care.org/be-a-better-...

🩺 Standing up for Medicaid Access We recently joined 190 leading health organizations in signing onto a letter from the Modern Medicaid Alliance to Senate leadership, urging them to reject harmful Medicaid cuts. Read the letter here: lnkd.in/edhvt67v #MedicaidMatters #IDD #ProtectMedicaid

🚀 New Resource Guide: Essential Tools for IDD Advocates We're excited to share Essential Resources for IDD Advocates, a curated collection of 45 tools, guides, and reports designed to help self-advocates and family members. #DisabilityRights #Healthcare #Advocacy www.ie-care.org/essential-re...

People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) often face unfair barriers to getting quality healthcare. These 7 resources can help explain your rights, prepare for healthcare visits, and give you tools to lead the life that you want and deserve. www.ie-care.org/7-resources-...

Proposed federal budget could lead to over 51,000 preventable deaths, researchers from @yalesph.bsky.social @upenn.edu warn. ysph.yale.edu/news-article...

📣 Important Medicaid Update This week, we joined more than 730 organizations in urging Congress to reject harmful Medicaid cuts that would jeopardize access to care for millions of people with disabilities, older adults, pregnant women, and children.

Come work with us! We're hiring for a Director of Development or Chief Advancement Officer to manage and implement a strategic vision for our comprehensive fundraising program. ➡️ $150,000-$175,000 ➡️ Fully Remote Click here to apply: jobs.gusto.com/postings/ins...

"Take time to talk to your constituents with disabilities. Get to know them as people. Get to know them for who they are, not what you see on TV or in the news. My disability doesn’t define me. It enhances my humanness." - BJ Stasio

Medicaid is a lifeline for our communities, and we cannot afford any part of it to be cut. That's why we joined 435 organizations in urging Congress to oppose any funding cuts, work requirements, or eligibility restrictions to Medicaid. Read the letter: www.c-c-d.org/fichiers/Let...

We're recognizing #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth by highlighting resources and personal stories shared by members of IEC's IDD Advocate Corps. For Yolanda, wellness takes preparation. She puts in real time and energy to plan for the days when her mental health is not at its best.

"Imagine losing access to the care that helps you get out of bed, go to work, and live life with dignity. For millions of Americans with disabilities, Medicaid is the difference between independence and isolation." New oped in @buffalonews.com: buffalonews.com/opinion/arti...

Big changes in healthcare start with informed, passionate communities. IEC’s newsletter keeps you connected to make care better and safer for people with IDD. ✅ Stories of real impact ✅ Updates on the latest news ✅ Ways you can advocate or support Join: ie-care.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

“It shows absolutely nothing about any Administration for Community Living (ACL) funding at all. Other operating divisions within HHS are identified, but there is nothing about disability, nothing about aging, nothing at all under the HHS category."

We're proud to share that our CEO Mai Pham is joining an excellent panel of leaders for a State of the Union for the Disability Community on 5/7 from 3-4 pm ET. Discuss disability priorities and the actions needed to improve access, quality, and outcomes. www.gih.org/event/state-...

Check out this guidance from @acog.org. They just published this important statement on how OBGYNs and other professionals can understand and address the barriers that disabled people face when trying to access reproductive healthcare. #DisabilityRights #HealthEquity #ReproductiveHealth #IDD

Too many disabled patients face barriers to quality reproductive care. Our latest guidance urges ob-gyns to address ableism, challenge bias, and ensure patients with disabilities receive the full range of services. Let’s build inclusive, patient-centered practices. Learn more: buff.ly/vAnO1oB

"Autistic people are not a burden to be managed. They are community members to be heard, respected and empowered." For Autism Acceptance Month, our CEO Mai Pham, co-authored a powerful letter in @washingtonpost.com with disability advocate Gyasi Burks-Abbott. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

💬 “When I come here, I can laugh, I can be myself... It’s just a great experience and I can’t thank everyone enough for your input and your leadership." We want to share a powerful message from Nathaniel Lentz, a passionate self-advocate and member of our IDD Advocate Corps at IEC. 💙

"Chronic pain looks different in everyone. Chronic pain is more common and presents differently in autistic women and those presenting female at birth. My autistic mind cannot describe pain in the standard medical 1-10 scale." - Nicole Noblet, Autistic Self-Advocate #AutismAcceptanceMonth

IEC joined a coalition of leading Autism, disability, and public health organizations to stand united in our call for science-based decision-making and increased investment in the research, programs and services the Autism community needs to live fully. Statement: www.ie-care.org/leading-auti...

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate autistic people, honor their strengths, and advocate for a future where everyone belongs. Autism acceptance is more than just knowing autistic people exist. It means valuing them, supporting them, and creating communities where they can thrive.

Autism acceptance means more than awareness. It means honoring autistic people’s needs, histories & experiences. As Dennis Tran says, “Neurodivergent people have always existed.” Let’s build a healthcare system that sees and supports all of us. #AutismAcceptanceMonth

💻 Upcoming Webinar: Protecting the Health of People with Disabilities 💻 Tues, Apr 8 from 2-3 pm ET Join our President and CEO Mai Pham and IDD Advocate Corps member Yolanda Vargas for this webinar hosted by @apha.org Register: www.pathlms.com/health/cours... #DisabilityHealth #PublicHealth

In a recent Q&A with The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), our President and CEO Mai Pham shared her insights on how value-based care principles, workforce training, and authentic community engagement can drive systemic change. Read the full Q&A here: www.ajmc.com/view/managed...

Family dynamics also shape how neurodivergence is understood and accepted. Hoangmai Pham, Founder and President of IEC, shares how her Vietnamese immigrant family had to shift their expectations after her child, Alex, was diagnosed as autistic. coldteacollective.com/celebrating-...