There’s more than one way to attend a meeting! • Remotely via video conference • In-Person around a conference table • Using ASL or CART captioning It’s not how you show up — it’s what you contribute. Learn more in our blog post: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/01/same...

Just 7.5% of actors in the top 104 English-language theatrical films released in 2024 publicly identify as having a disability, a slight increase from 7.1% in 2023 and 5% in 2022. However, this falls far short of representing the 28.7% of adults who identify as having a disability.

Action Alert – States Continue Legal Attack on Section 504 and the Right to Live in the Community: Texas and eight other states are continuing their legal challenge to #disability civil rights protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Disability Inclusion Tip: Hold in-person events in accessible locations. If everyone, including wheelchair users, can’t easily enter the space, move around freely, or access the restrooms, find a more accessible venue for your event. #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility

We recently shared state policy updates for California and Oregon. Read them on our website: www.disabilitybelongs.org/tag/state-po... If you want to receive updates like these in your inbox, subscribe to our Advocate's Agenda newsletter: www.disabilitybelongs.org/newsletters/

There are many ways to deliver a package. • Walk • Drive a modified vehicle • Use a mobility scooter • Operate a drone or delivery robot Remember: it's the results that matter! Learn more in our blog post: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/01/same...

Sundance 2026 is underway, and we have published reviews of five films screening at the festival that feature #disability representation. Visit our website to read the reviews: www.disabilitybelongs.org/tag/sundance...

Critical special education programs and disability civil rights enforcement functions may be moved out of the U.S. Department of Education, which could weaken federal oversight and enforcement, creating new risks for students with #disabilities and their families. Learn how you can take action ⬇︎

Yesterday we officially welcomed our Spring 2026 Leadership Program Fellows! Over the next few months, they will be exposed to different working styles and aspects of workplace culture, in preparation for them to seek future opportunities aligned with their strengths and career goals.

There’s more than one way to send an email: • Dictate with speech-to-text • Type with a standard keyboard • Use a one-handed keyboard • Navigate with eye-tracking software It’s the message that counts, not the method. Learn more in our newest blog post: Same Tasks, Different Methods!

5 Tips for Inclusive JDAIM Programming: 1) Invite access requests clearly and proactively. 2) Practice “nothing about us without us.” 3) Plan food and social gatherings with accessibility in mind. 4) Ensure physical spaces are navigable for everyone. 5) Always use amplification. Learn more ⬇︎

We've extended the deadline to apply for our 2026 Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab until Sunday, January 25th. Don't miss out – get your application in! www.disabilitybelongs.org/lab/

The ABLE Age Adjustment Act took effect on January 1st, raising the #disability onset age for #ABLE eligibility from before age 26 to before age 46, opening access to tax-advantaged savings for millions more disabled adults. Learn more about this change and why it matters at the link below!

Read our guide to accessibility at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, plus learn about films screening at the festival that highlight disability, either through the story or the creative talent involved!

Every January, communities across the country pause to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His leadership reshaped America’s understanding of civil rights and collective liberation.

In case you missed it, the application for our 2026 Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities is open, but not for much longer! The deadline to apply is January 21st, 2026, so learn more about the program and submit your application at www.DisabilityBelongs.org/Lab! #DisabilityBelongsLab

H.R. 1 introduced changes to provisions that directly impact the #disability community’s access to government-funded programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, the ACA, and SSI. Our H.R. 1 Tracking Project outlines key provisions and their effective dates. Image Description: The U.S. Capitol building in D.C.

5 Actions Allies Can Take to Increase Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: 1) Amplify Disabled Voices 2) Advocate for Accommodations 3) Educate Yourself and Others 4) Challenge Discrimination 5) Build Relationships Learn more at the link below!

We're excited to share our first-ever Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda, which outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Read it at the link below!

Did you know? According to Nielsen research, “consumers with disabilities, including their families, friends, and associates, represent a $1 trillion market segment. Americans with disabilities represent the third-largest market behind Baby Boomers and the mature market.”

Did you know that in 34 states, it is legal to pay disabled workers below the minimum wage, sometimes as little as $0.25 per hour? This is the subminimum wage, and it is more widespread than you might expect. Learn more about the fight to end this unfair practice at our blog below.

Since receiving the Spangenberg-Chappell Memorial Award in 2024, Steven McCoy has been busy working with his nonprofit Spoken Heroes, which has established itself as a lasting force in disability advocacy and empowerment.

As a result of the passage of H.R. 1 last year, significant changes to Medicaid work requirements are being implemented that will lead to millions of people becoming uninsured. Learn more about these changes, why they matter, who they will affect the most, and what you can do about them ⬇︎

The application for our 2026 Lab for Entertainment Professionals with #Disabilities is now open! This is a 5-month virtual program where up to 25 Fellows will meet weekly. The deadline to apply is 1/21, so learn more about the program and submit your application at DisabilityBelongs.org/Lab!

As we begin 2026, Disability Belongs™ remains committed to advancing disability-led public policy, expanding opportunity, and safeguarding essential programs and civil rights. (continued in replies)

Authentic representation on screen makes a difference. The Hollywood Reporter spotlights how the final season of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory approached Brooklynn’s limb difference with intention and respect. We were honored to be part of this work, and encourage you to read more about it!

#Disability Inclusion Tip: Add accurate captions to videos you share on social media. You can use YouTube's caption editor, or built-in tools on platforms such as TikTok, to make sure that your audience can better understand what is being communicated.

In 2025, we published nearly 40 reviews of disability-inclusive movies, short films, and TV shows! If you missed any of them, the archive is on our website: www.disabilitybelongs.org/category/rev... #Disability #Disabilities

Our most popular post of 2025 highlighted one of the most fundamental tips we share – Disability is not a bad word! It's why we put it in our organization's name. We recommend avoiding euphemisms like "special needs" or "differently abled." #Disability #Disabilities

Our 2nd most popular post of the year was about the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, which would raise asset caps from $2,000 to $10,000 and tie the limit to inflation moving forward. It would also end the marriage penalty, meaning disabled couples could save $20,000 instead of just $3,000.

Our third most popular post of 2025 was about our support for the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act. The bill has still not been passed, but we will continue our advocacy for it and our other priority bills in 2026. #Disabilities #Disabled

As we wrap up this year, we are going to count down our top 4 posts of 2025! Number 4 was our #disability inclusion tip about inspiration p*rn - a trope that frames #disabled people as an object of pity. Let us work to make 2026 the year where a disabled person being taken to prom is not news!

The term eco-ableism refers to a form of ableism that harms or excludes #disabled people from environmental planning, policies, and activism. Read our newest blog post to learn how environmental justice could be more inclusive of people with #disabilities: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/envi...

Disability Belongs™ is closed for the holidays from December 19th - January 4th in order to give our team time to rest and recharge for 2026! We will answer inquiries upon our return on January 5th.

Every organization faces the same choice: treat #accessibility as a last-minute scramble or weave it into the culture from day one, with #disabled people in the lead. Image Description: the universal access icon next to a briefcase with icons on it for braille, vision, captioning, and sign language

Last week, we held a graduation ceremony for our Fall 2025 Fellows. They are a fantastic group of young leaders, and we can't wait to see what they will achieve next! #Disability #Disabilities

There are plenty of myths out there around disabilities: • Not many Americans are disabled. • Disability is an offensive word. • Disabled people can’t be independent. • All disabled people need to be cured of their disability. Read our latest blog to get the facts! #Disability #Disabilities

A helpful reminder for the font debate!

The nominees are out for the fourth annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, the stand-alone competition that honors creativity and innovation in children’s entertainment. Among the nominees are several #disabled creatives and #disability inclusive content. Learn more at the link below!

Without an extension of ACA tax credits, families could soon face much higher monthly premiums or lose coverage altogether, which would threaten #disabled people's ability to access care, maintain independence, and participate in community life. Congress still has time to act - your voice matters ⬇︎

Faith-based media often serves as a cornerstone of community building, offering narratives that resonate with different audiences. However, when it comes to #disability representation in this realm, there remains a significant gap that, if addressed, could foster greater inclusivity and connection.

Our team has launched a new series of short, #accessible videos to help voters with #disabilities understand their rights and the barriers that still stand in the way of a private, independent vote. Take a look at the link below!

“It's definitely a brave thing to be an artist and tell a personal story…especially in film as you see everything played out in front of you on screen...The most impactful art is always authentic, personal, and breaks down walls.” - Catherine Argyrople, Writer/Director, Growing Pains

Today the world observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and the work that remains to put disability inclusion at the center of social change. #Disability #IDPD2025

Imagine a world where belonging doesn’t need to be fought for – it's expected. That’s the world we are building. Your Giving Tuesday gift helps make accessibility a reality for all. Please give today at give.disabilitybelongs.org/GT2025.

Disability Inclusion Tip: Always use respectful language around #disability, not just when you are around a #disabled person. Avoid outdated terms like the "R" word.

Disability Belongs™ is closed for the holidays! We will re-open on December 1.

Chris Hemsworth’s "A Road Trip to Remember," now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, gives audiences an intimate and heartwarming look at how his father’s early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis brought the family closer together. Read our review at the link below! #Disability #Disabilities

We're excited to announce that the nomination process has opened for the 2026 Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award and the 2026 Steve Bartlett Award. You can either nominate yourself or someone else for these prestigious awards. More info: www.disabilitybelongs.org/annual-awards/apply/

As we enter the holiday season, Disability Belongs™ is delighted to share Event Accessibility Considerations – a practical, easy-to-use resource to help you plan events that are truly accessible and welcoming. Check it out: www.DisabilityBelongs.org/Resources/Events/ #Disabilities #Disability