Alycia Anderson emceed PRIDE Industries’ 60th Anniversary Diamond Gala, honoring ADA architect Congressman Tony Coelho with a Lifetime Achievement Award. After weeks of preparation, the evening became deeply personal as Alycia reflected on her friendship with Tony and the freedoms the ADA made possible. Surrounded by leaders, advocates, and community members, the celebration highlighted PRIDE’s legacy of disability inclusion and a powerful reminder of leadership rooted in service.
Being named to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100 list of America’s Top Small Businesses for 2025 is an incredible honor for The Alycia Anderson Company. What began as curiosity about supplier diversity through my appointment to the California Insurance Diversity Task Force became a powerful learning journey—working with my local SBDC, pursuing certification, and ultimately becoming a Women-Owned and Disability-Owned certified business committed to advancing inclusive leadership.
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.
Actors Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson join Pushing Forward with Alycia to discuss their experiences in the groundbreaking film Daruma. This powerful conversation delves into authentic disability representation, the making of Daruma, and the shift toward inclusive storytelling in Hollywood. Together with Alycia Anderson, they explore how disabled actors bring depth to disability narratives and why these stories must be told from an authentic perspective.
The U.S. Department of Transportation imposed a $50 million fine on American Airlines for repeatedly failing to assist passengers with disabilities, resulting in damaged wheelchairs and mistreatment. The fine highlights the airline’s neglect in providing necessary support, essential to passengers’ dignity and independence. Alycia Anderson expresses relief and hope for improved travel experiences, noting that this landmark action addresses long-standing accessibility issues in air travel.
