A unique village of 660-square-foot homes is taking shape, offering individuals with intellectual and developmental #disabilities a chance to live more independently.

The #Trump administration is pushing back on a lawsuit seeking to ensure that sign language interpreters are included at #WhiteHouse events by suggesting that the accommodation is incompatible with the president's image. #disabilities #accessibility

Access to accounts that allow individuals with #disabilities to save without losing government benefits will expand dramatically and people with the accounts will be able to save more than ever before. #ABLEaccounts

About 15 school districts and charters nationwide will be among the first to use OpenAI's new education-focused #AI tool. At least one will use it to manage #SpecialEducation compliance — a high-stakes area where federal deadlines and privacy are critical. #disabilities #ChatGPT

Every state has a federally funded agency that defends the rights of disabled people to live outside of institutions, but the Trump administration wants to slash their support. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/disability-lawyers-doj-civil-rights-division-protection-advocacy-organizations-iowa/

#Medicaid Webinar Alert! 12/17 4-5pm ET Must register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... A look at Medicaid changes from the 2025 reconciliation law #HR1 @kff.org a non-partisan info org, will present their report "States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of HR1 Effects"

In a new @retroreport.org film, “How Activists Pushed for the A.D.A.,” DREDF co-founders Mary Lou Breslin & Pat Wright reflect on the activism, strategy and community power that secured one of the most important civil rights laws in U.S. history Access the film:

1 Things shifted fast this year for people with disabilities. Swipe to find out what changed and why it matters (slide 5 didn’t make enough headlines!). Donate to @thearcus.bsky.social now if you can; share if you can’t. Every action helps protect disability rights.

Lunch with Legislators! Disability Advocacy and Policy Alliance. Follow the steps to register for your Lunch with Legislators session. Read on to learn more. Location: State Capitol Executive Tower 1st Floor Conference Room 1700 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Time: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM

Forbes ranked @thearcus.bsky.social #21 on its list of 2025 America’s Top 100 Charities! The ranking reinforces what people w/ disabilities/families/ partners know: The Arc shows up, & we stay. We're so proud of our team for their hard work this year. We'll always fight for disability rights.

Alternative Text-African American Conference on Disabilities. Save the Date. February 5-17, 2026. Virtual Conference Coming Soon! Disability Rights Arizona. www.disabilityrightsaz.org

Families say their #schools do not proactively plan for students with #disabilities to attend after-school clubs, dances and other nonacademic activities. #SpecialEducation

After more than 50 years of research, scientists still don't know exactly what causes #autism. But the data make clear that genetics are an essential piece of the puzzle. #disabilities

People with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income and other #SocialSecurity benefits are about to get a raise. #disabilities #SSI

Learn more: torres.house.gov/media-center... #BlueEnvelope

Learn Soccer Skills, Make Friends, & Have Fun w/ Support from Volunteer Buddies. Pima County Surf, City of Tucson Parks & Rec. Session 1-2/3 to 3/10. Session 2-4/7-5/12. TOPSoccer-camp style program for youth ages 5 to 17 w/ intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities. Register-520-837-8067

Navigating the sped system is hard. The Arc@School changes that. W/ help from Comcast, @thearcus.bsky.social aids parents in English & Spanish so they can advocate for their child’s ed w/ confidence. Read on-see how students w/ disabilities/families are going from surviving to thriving in school.

Check out some fun Care 4 the Caregivers events happening in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and virtually. Read on to learn more. care4thecaregivers.org/events

Accessing disaster aid can be overwhelming, especially for disabled people, elders, people of color, & low-income communities. FEMA is often the main system people are directed to after a disaster, but navigating it is not always transparent or easy. This guide breaks down the real steps. [1/7]

#Medicaid Webinar Alert! 12/17 4-5pm ET Must register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... A look at Medicaid changes from the 2025 reconciliation law #HR1 @kff.org a non-partisan info org, will present their report "States' Management of Medicaid Home Care Spending Ahead of HR1 Effects"

"Arizona soccer league welcomes athletes with disabilities." Read on to learn more.

In a case with significant ramifications for how intellectual disability is defined, the U.S. #SupremeCourt is weighing how to factor multiple IQ scores. #disabilities #SCOTUS

One of the most prestigious contemporary art awards in the world is for the first time going to an artist with a developmental disability. #disabilities #autism

The Nutcracker, Sensory Adapted Performance, December 17, 1PM, 1 hour performance. Symphony Hall, 75 N 2nd St, Phoenix, 85004.

Bridging the gap: UK student uses knitted e-textiles to meet accessibility needs UK College of Design graduate student Faezah Panahandeh said she felt compelled to pursue a project centered on helping those with specialized sensory needs after watching a documentary. More: https://bit.ly/44vD0jm

The @bazeloncenter.bsky.social has released a short guide for states to support people with disabilities in light of impending changes to Medicaid. Read more at: Guide: www.bazelon.org/wp-content/u... Bazelon's site: www.bazelon.org

The U.S. Department of Education is bringing back hundreds of staffers to tackle a backlog of #CivilRights cases — including disability #discrimination complaints — after trying for months to fire them. #disabilities #SpecialEducation #EducationDepartment

"Education Department recalls fired attorneys amid civil rights complaint backlog." Read on to learn more.

"Disney’s changes to a program for disabled visitors are facing challenges." Read on to learn more.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access to college. The RISE Act would let colleges accept prior IEPs or 504 Plans; no expensive new testing required. Make disability services easier to access and more transparent. 🧑‍🎓✨ https://secure.everyaction.com/JhYaHVVMgEiNjh4jHtN6_A2

College-Based Transition Services: How to Build Services That Work Webinar, 12/17, 1PM MT. Maria Paiewonsky, Dir, MA Center for Inclusive Higher Education & Transition. Learn how schools, colleges,& agencies can work together to help students w/ IDD take their next step—college. Learn more/register.

Check out this helpful information from Think College called "A Resource Guide for Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disability." Read on to learn more.

The National Organization on Disability released a guide to free and low-cost tools that support reading, focus, hearing, vision, and everyday tasks, helping people stay connected and independent. Guide: https://loom.ly/AxsFWmE #Accessibility #AssistiveTech #ADA

Myth vs. Fact: Holiday Accessibility 🎄 Myth: Holiday decorations and temporary displays don’t have to follow ADA rules. Fact: The ADA applies year-round. Under Title III, seasonal décor, pop-up shops, and event setups must not block accessible routes, ramps, entrances, or restrooms. #ADA

Check out the great 2026 therapeutic, adaptive, and inclusive recreation programs from Tucson Parks and Recreation. Read on to learn more about these fun activities.

City of Tucson Parks and Recreation, TR Night Out, 12/19-Holiday Movie and Gift Making, 5 to 8PM, Therapeutic Rec Center, 1000 2 Randolph Way, $5 per session. Includes activity, pizza, and drink. Spots limited. Please call 520-791-4504 to save your spot.

Through an industry first collaboration with #SpecialOlympics, plans are underway for #UnitedAirlines to hire more individuals with #disabilities at major airports across the country.

♿️ 50 yrs of IDEA brought progress, but advocates say it’s not enough. They want full funding, stronger enforcement, less segregation, & real inclusion in every classroom. Civil rights aren’t negotiable www.motherjones.com/politics/202... #IDEA50 #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters #FullyFundIDEA

Already proving popular, the new program offers intensive services and high student-to-staff ratios for children who need to spend more than half of their school day in a separate setting. #disabilities #SpecialEducation

The two-year pause, intended to ward off fraud, will leave programs in limbo and clients' needs unmet, providers say. #disabilities #GroupHomes

An upcoming #BlueOrigin flight will mark a first for people with #disabilities. #wheelchair #spaceexploration

Special education without the U.S. Department of Education? Join DREDF & @copaafape.bsky.social on Dec 9 to learn what’s at stake. Register now: https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PiU7n1hQl-UFug_fAvD3Q#/registration

ADHD diagnoses are rising—but CHADD experts Max Wiznitzer, MD, and Margaret H. Sibley, PhD, explain that better awareness and improved detection—not overdiagnosis—are the real reasons. www.nature.com/articles/d41... #ADHD #CHADD #Neurodiversity #ADHDSupport #ADHDExperts

"What to know about changes to Disney parks' disability policies." Read on to learn more.

Brunch with Caregivers. Saturday 12/13 at 10:00AM. Prep and Pastry (East). 6450 E Grant Road #160 Tucson, AZ 85715. Care 4 the Caregivers. Care4thecaregivers.org

Disability Advocacy & Policy Alliance member AZ DD Planning Council needs stories of how HCBS services help YOU! Stories must be submitted BY 12/8 before a meeting of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Aging. It's part of a push to support HCBS federal funding. Email your [email protected]

Check out the Care 4 the Caregivers event calendar to learn more about what is happening this week and month. Read on to learn more about these great activities. care4thecaregivers.org/events

Club Zeus, Christmas Night Party. Music, Drink, Good. 12/13, 6-9PM. 2700 E Speedway. Tickets $10 for every attendee including caregivers. Available only online at www.clubzeus.org Questions? Call 520-609-9965