The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) hosted its largest-ever gathering to protect and defend Section 504. This landmark event united advocates nationwide, reinforcing the critical importance of disability rights and accessibility. As we push forward, amplifying our voices and standing firm against challenges, this movement strengthens the future of inclusion. Join the fight for equity and accessibility!
In this powerful keynote, I share my journey as a woman, wheelchair user, and advocate, turning ableism, bias, and exclusion into strengths. “OWN It” is more than a mantra—it’s a mindset for empowerment. Learn how to embrace identity, reframe challenges, and unlock your full potential. Gain actionable strategies for resilience, self-advocacy, and breaking societal labels to achieve success. Leave inspired to dream without limitations.
Celebrate Black History Month by honoring Black disabled leaders who shaped both racial and disability rights movements. Learn about Brad Lomax, a key figure connecting the Black Panthers to the 504 Sit-In, and Johnnie Lacy, a trailblazer for disability advocacy in education. Discover how their resilience continues to inspire today’s activists, pushing for intersectional inclusion and justice. Their stories deserve the spotlight in shaping our collective history.
The new administration’s inaugural address signals shifts that threaten progress for people with disabilities, including DEI rollbacks, restrictive gender policies, in-person work mandates, aviation accessibility challenges, and withdrawal from the WHO. These actions risk eroding hard-fought disability rights and equity. The disability community must unite, remain vigilant, and advocate for inclusion and accessibility to preserve and advance progress under this administration.
Leaving the World Health Organization (WHO) undermines U.S. leadership in global health equity, pandemic preparedness, and disability inclusion. As the leading contributor, America’s investments fostered goodwill, trust, and global cooperation. Withdrawal risks isolating the U.S., reducing access to critical disability-related resources like assistive technologies and inclusive healthcare policies, while weakening pandemic preparedness. This decision threatens progress for people with disabilities both domestically and worldwide.
The executive order aimed at reforming federal hiring practices threatens disability inclusion in both government and private sectors. By prioritizing merit-based hiring without addressing the unique barriers faced by disabled individuals, this policy risks further marginalizing them in employment opportunities. The shift away from affirmative action and diversity initiatives could deepen ableism and limit the ability of people with disabilities to access fair and equal job opportunities.
Decades of air travel mistreatment for people with disabilities saw progress under the Biden administration with fines, regulations, and DEI initiatives enhancing accessibility and accountability. However, recent actions by the Trump administration roll back these gains, labeling disability-inclusive FAA hiring as “illegal” and prioritizing ableist rhetoric over inclusivity. Only two of over 80 recent aviation actions address disability, risking accessibility and safety advancements for disabled travelers.
The new administration’s return-to-in-person work mandate threatens progress in disability employment achieved through remote opportunities. Remote work, embraced during the pandemic, provided accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, breaking barriers in employment. By eliminating flexibility, this policy risks reversing gains and creating inequities, leaving many to wonder: will the government prioritize inclusion or leave people with disabilities behind?
The new administration’s executive order invokes ADA rights while targeting gender ideology extremism, raising concerns for marginalized groups. With limited mention of disability rights, this order prompts questions about the administration’s plans for people with disabilities. An attack on one marginalized group affects us all, emphasizing the need for solidarity and vigilance in protecting hard-won progress toward inclusion and equality.
Disability remains the overlooked cornerstone of DEI, despite its unifying potential across identities. Alycia Anderson emphasizes centering disability to build inclusive cultures, confronting corporate rebranding and political headwinds. Progress requires prioritizing disability inclusion as a key pillar of equity and accessibility.
