Author: marty

Black History Month: Honoring Disabled Trailblazers


Published: Tuesday February 4, 2025
Image that reads black history vibes

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.

What do the new administration’s orders mean for people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025

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.

What does pulling out of the World Health Organization (WHO) mean for people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order withdrawing from the world health organization posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

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.

How does ending DEI policies threaten disability rights in the United States?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order ending dei posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

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.

How do recent policies threaten air travel for people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order about safety in aviation posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

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.

How does the return to in-person work order affect people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order to return to in-person work posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

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?

What does the fight against “Gender Ideology Extremism” mean for people with disabilities?


Published: Saturday January 25, 2025
depicts the title of an executive order related to laws about gender posing a question about how this will effect people with disabilities

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.

Navigating DEI’s Shifting Landscape: Disability the Overlooked Cornerstone of Inclusion


Published: Tuesday January 14, 2025
wooden cutouts of men and women on both sides of a person with a disability in a wheelchair all connected laying in the palms of open hands

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.

Intersectionality, Accessibility, Representation, and Self-Identification


Published: Wednesday October 16, 2024
the positive feedback effect loop intersetionality accessibility representation and self identification

The key to authentic disability inclusion lies in four interconnected principles: intersectionality, accessibility, representation, and self-identity (self-ID). Each element reinforces the others, creating a powerful feedback loop that drives progress. Intersectionality builds community solidarity by acknowledging overlapping identities. Accessibility fosters inclusive environments. Representation empowers through visibility, and self-ID encourages individuals to embrace their identities. Together, these principles advance disability inclusion, pushing society toward a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Disability Advocates Lead Positive Change Amid DEI Backlash


Published: Thursday May 30, 2024
women on one side men on the other d e i circled n the middle with a wheelchair disabled symbol above the circle

PBS NewsHour reports a nationwide DEI backlash with 25 states enacting 71 related laws, sparking debate on tolerance and academic freedom. Critics claim high costs and indoctrination, while advocates emphasize DEI’s importance in addressing inequities. Disability advocate Marty Anderson shares his perspective on DEI, highlighting the significance of inclusion and empathy derived from personal experience with disability. DEI aims to create a more just and inclusive society.