Words Matter: Disability is not a bad word. Avoid euphemisms like “differently-abled." Using vague or softened language can minimize real experiences and barriers. Be clear, respectful, and accurate–say “disability.” #DisabilityInclusion

Supporting mental health in the workplace doesn't require a huge budget. It requires intention, flexibility, and commitment. And when you get it right, everyone benefits. Learn more about how employers can foster inclusion in our resource: www.disabilitybelongs.org/resources/me... #MentalHealth

Section 504 protects disabled people from discrimination in federally funded programs and services by requiring equal access, reasonable accommodations, and inclusive practices across education, healthcare, public services, and employment. Learn why Section 504 still matters today in our blog!

Gardens have long been part of faith traditions, offering spaces for reflection, connection, and shared purpose. In our blog post, we highlight how religious institutions can build on this legacy by intentionally designing #gardens that include people with #disabilities. Read it at the link below!

Today is the 15th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a celebration which serves a reminder that accessibility is essential to participation, leadership, and belonging. #GAAD #A11y

Meet the 2026 recipient of the Steve Bartlett Award, Mindy Henderson! Mindy is a powerful leader in disability rights, with specific interests in accessible air travel, healthcare, universal design, employment, inclusive fashion, and product design.

Do you want updates from Disability Belongs™ delivered to your inbox? We offer 6 free newsletters that you can choose from: Disability Belongs™ Bulletin, Advocate's Agenda, Opportunity Pipeline, Disability In Focus, Shared Spaces, and Action Alerts. Sign up at www.DisabilityBelongs.org/Newsletters!

#Disability Inclusion Tip: When planning an event, be sure to choose an easy-to-reach location with accessible parking nearby. Do you want to learn more about how to plan #accessible and inclusive events? Join us for our free virtual training on June 9th at 1:30 p.m. ET! Register at the link below.

Good news: As of May 4th, the state of Indiana has withdrawn from Texas v. Kennedy, and as of May 12th, South Dakota has also withdrawn. This is a sign that advocacy works! We need to keep advocating in the seven remaining states involved in this case. Learn more at the link below! #Disability

Action Alert: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has delayed by one year the deadlines for many HHS-funded programs to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities.

Meet the 2026 recipient of the Spangenberg-Chappell Memorial Award, Sarah Todd Hammer: • A 24-year-old 3x published author, influencer, speaker, and consultant. • Has a following of 400,000+ people on her social media, where she shares her life as a #disabled individual in a fun, positive manner.

Here are three tips on how employers can lead the way in mental health inclusion and build a workplace where everyone can thrive... #MentalHealth #Disabilities (continued)

Along with Bluesky, Disability Belongs™ is also active on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn – we would love for you to give us a follow on any of those platforms at @DisabilityBelongs! #Disability

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate strength, care, and resilience, and honor the countless ways parents nurture their children. Yet for millions of mothers with disabilities in the United States, this celebration highlights a harsh reality: the systems meant to support families often fail them.

We are thrilled to announce that we received 321 applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of the Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program! This brings the total number of Leadership Program applicants for 2026 to 560, an increase of more than 30% from 2025. Thank you to everyone who applied!

The companies outperforming their peers are not doing so by guessing. They are investing in disability inclusion, and the returns on profits, productivity, and innovation are measurable.

Join us for a virtual training, "Accessible By Design: Creating Inclusive Events That Work for Everyone," on Tuesday, June 9th at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT. This free interactive training will explore how to design accessible in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. RSVP at the link below! #A11y

Action Alert Update: Texas v. Kennedy Advocacy is continuing in the 9 states still involved in this case. The court has set a schedule—from May 4th to July 7th—for when each side will submit their written arguments.

We're proud to announce the 2026 cohort of Fellows for the Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab, an award-winning program connecting #disabled writers, directors, producers, and creatives with leaders across film, television, and streaming. Learn more about this year's cohort at Deadline!

On Friday, April 24th, the 7th of Iyyar 5786, our former team member Matan Koch passed away surrounded by loved ones, following a battle with cancer. Matan had a major impact on our organization’s work and culture, and his legacy can still be felt today. Read our full tribute at the link below.

Last week, a press release announced the reintroduction of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. The bill reflects the need to modernize #accessibility requirements as communications technologies continue to evolve. ID: A laptop with a rainbow graphic on the screen.

Have you ever wondered what counts as a disability? What is a reasonable #accommodation? Or what you should do when an employee discloses a #disability? Learn the answers to these questions and more in our new resource – Employer Quick Guide: Understanding Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace!

The SAVE Act has stalled in the Senate. For many people with disabilities, the proposed documentation requirements raised concerns about whether they would be able to register to vote at all.

From a very young age, children begin noticing differences and forming ideas about themselves and the people around them. Because of this, the messages children receive – both directly and indirectly – matter and shape early understanding in lasting ways. Learn more in our blog at the link below!

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has delayed when state and local governments must make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. These requirements were finalized in 2024 under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and were set to begin in 2026.

"Environmental justice depends on #disability justice because true sustainability can only be achieved when disabled people are actively involved in planning, response, and decision-making." Celebrate #EarthDay by reading about how environmental justice can be more inclusive of disabled people ⬇︎

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an Interim Final Rule delaying the compliance timeline for digital accessibility requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for state and local government entities.

Did you know? About 75% of disabled people have non-apparent disabilities, like diabetes, anxiety, or ADHD. #DisabilityInclusion #Disabilities

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a cornerstone of #disability rights in the United States. More than 50 years after its passage, it remains a vital protection against discrimination, yet it is also the subject of renewed public attention and legal debate. #Section504

"A piece of media like this will help students and parents alike in advocating for accommodations at a younger age.” Read our review of "Maddie and The Test," streaming on Disney+! Image Description: still from "Maddie and the Test" with Maddie smiling seated at a desk inside a classroom

"It is of utmost importance for people w/ disabilities to go out into the world, find community with other disabled folks, and make art that tells our own stories – stories that interrogate and dismantle the tropes that frame us as outsiders and spectacles..."The Tallest Dwarf" does exactly that.

Voting is a fundamental civil right. The Senate is still debating legislation that could change federal voter registration requirements. Policies that make registration harder could create new barriers for voters with disabilities. Take action: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/03/prot...

We are thrilled to announce the first two recipients of our 2026 Disability Impact Awards!

Spring often brings severe weather, including tornadoes, floods, and wildfires. Having a plan in place before a storm or disaster can make a meaningful difference. Check out our new resource – Preparing for Severe Weather – on our website: www.disabilitybelongs.org/resources/pr... #Accessibility

There’s a lot of discussion right now about the President’s FY2027 Budget. It’s important to understand what it is and what it is not. (1/5) #Disability #Disabilities

Several of our program alumni are competing in the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge! We reviewed four short films - "Crosswalk," "Good Vibrations," "A Heartfelt Beat," and "Work Trip." Read the reviews on our website: www.disabilitybelongs.org/tag/edfc2026/ #DisabilityFilmChallenge

Disabled people experiencing houselessness deserve homes, not handcuffs. If we truly want safer, stronger communities, we must reject policies that push people out of sight and instead commit to solutions that bring everyone in from the cold.

Big news: we're now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of the Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program! The priority deadline to apply is Thursday, April 23rd at 5:00 p.m. ET, so get your application in at www.DisabilityBelongs.org/Leadership-Program! All the info is on the website.

Access to voting is a civil right, and it must include everyone. On March 31, an Executive Order was issued with provisions related to vote-by-mail. For many disabled voters, vote-by-mail is a key way to participate in elections.

It’s a fact: business performance is closely tied to how well employees are supported at work. A growing body of research shows that employees are more productive, innovative, and committed when they feel safe, valued, and included.

Don't miss out on our free virtual training on best practices for disability-inclusive language, happening this Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET! Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Image: Disability Belongs trademarked logo with green and blue overlapping droplet shapes. #Disability #Disabilities

The question shouldn’t be whether accessibility is “worth it,” but whether we can afford the ongoing and avoidable costs of exclusion. Read our blog to learn more about what we all pay when access is an afterthought. Image Description: A person looking at a laptop with their head in their hands.

As part of our work to spotlight authentic #disability representation, our Fellows recently wrote these film reviews: • The Thrilling “Blindsided” and How it Exemplifies the Human Condition • “Accessibility and the Ballot” Explores Challenges Faced by Disabled Voters

This month, we remember disability rights advocate and leader Judy Heumann, who died on March 4, 2023. Judy was regarded by many as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement” for her fierce and focused advocacy that brought the disability community together to fight ableism in civil society.

There are lots of myths about #Tourette syndrome. Get the facts in the latest entry in our Combatting Misinformation series! Image Description: The logo for the "Combatting Misinformation" series containing a greyscale megaphone with yellow sound waves coming out of it

We're excited to announce an open call for Board and Advisor nominations. If you or someone you know could be a good fit, fill out the linked form before April 30th. Responses will be reviewed by our Governance and Nominating Committee as part of a structured and equitable selection process.

The State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act would strengthen how the U.S. advances disability rights globally and improve accessibility within the State Department. Disability rights are civil rights—at home and worldwide. Read the bill text at the link below! #Disabilities #A11y

Cultural narratives that frame #disability, particularly learning #disabilities, as deficiency do not merely reflect bias, they hold the power to shape perceptions, influence policy, and directly impact the lives of millions. Language is not neutral. Read our full statement at the link below.

Learning disabilities like dyslexia affect how people process information — not intelligence or leadership ability. We appreciate the National Center for Learning Disabilities speaking out about stigma and misinformation. ID: A megaphone icon with sound waves. Text says "News Alert"

Right now the Senate is debating legislation that could change federal voter registration requirements. Policies that make registration harder could create new barriers for voters with disabilities. Take action: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/03/prot... Please share!