Disability Belongs

“Parents and caregivers have had to step in to fill gaps in areas like tutoring, therapy, and learning accommodations, resulting in heightened stress and financial strain." Our President and CEO Ariel Simms testified at a public briefing held by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights last week about staffing shortages that are impacting students with disabilities. Read more about the briefing and what was discussed in Chalkbeat: https://lnkd.in/eufPxJZv

Currently, making products and services accessible to everyone is the exception, but it should be the rule. Learn more about examples of inclusive marketing and how your business can be more accessible in this blog post written by our Marketing and Communications Fellow Rose Correll: https://lnkd.in/eiNeHGvE

Important Update for Educators and Advocates: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has released a new fact sheet clarifying schools’ responsibilities to students who are both English Learners (ELs) and have disabilities. Schools are required to provide?both language support services?and?disability-related services, ensuring compliance with federal civil rights laws.? Key takeaways:? ? Misidentifying language needs as disability needs—or vice versa—can lead to compliance issues.? ? Schools must offer appropriate accommodations and services in students’ native languages when needed.? Read the fact sheet here: https://lnkd.in/eJxBafjX? #DisabilityInclusion #EducationEquity #LanguageSupport #CivilRights #SpecialEducation

There are only 15 spots left for Wednesday's event - so if you want to join us, register ASAP! https://lnkd.in/esqMJnjR

Attention health care professionals and equity advocates passionate about exploring the power of narrative transformation to advance health equity! Join us for the National Health Equity Grand Rounds on November 21 at 2:00 PM CT, where we will hear from an incredible line up of national thought leaders as they discuss how we can change harmful dominant narratives in health care, address systemic inequities, and reimagine what health equity looks like for everyone. Register Now: https://lnkd.in/eEwq7JB8

PBS Kids has a history of ensuring authentic inclusion in its series. Its newest show Carl the Collector not only continues this pattern but elevates it. The 2D animated series, aimed at 4-to-8-year-olds, features Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who enjoys collecting things, and his woodland creature friends including Lotta, a quiet and self-assured fox who is also autistic. The show benefits from a production team that includes a variety of neurodiverse writers, production staff, animators, advisors, and voice talent. Read more about this groundbreaking new show and the people behind it: https://lnkd.in/ez_6XE-S

Join us on November 20th for a free virtual Coffee & Conversations event with our CEO Ariel Simms! Join our discussion to gain a clear understanding of how to handle disability disclosures in the workplace, focusing on legal obligations, effective responses, and fostering an inclusive environment. This session will provide you with insights into what constitutes a disability, maintaining confidentiality, and implementing reasonable accommodations—all essential for supporting employees with disabilities. Discover how Disability Belongs? training and consulting services can further assist your organization in embedding these best practices and achieving an authentically inclusive workplace culture. Space is limited to 40 participants and the event will not be recorded to ensure a safe space for discussions, so if you want to attend, be sure to register as soon as possible: https://lnkd.in/eSNBzrPm

Thomas Wiggins was a pianist with a success story for the ages — he performed at the White House for President James Buchanan and earned the equivalent of $12 million in today’s money through cross-continental tours and sheet sales (more than any pianist at the time). Yet, as a Black, blind and (presumably) autistic man, this success was all too easily stolen from him. Wiggins’ life is the latest subject of “American Masters: Renegades,” a documentary series showcasing the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. Read a review of the episode written by our Entertainment and News Media Fellow Nora Onanian and watch it in full: https://lnkd.in/erwjXPgW

Disability Belongs? is closed today for Veterans Day. We are thankful for the service of America's military veterans, including the more than 5 million veterans with a service-connected disability. According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for disabled veterans is 6% – more than double the rate for veterans without disabilities. We are committed to address this and other disparities through our advocacy.

Brad Lomax’s involvement with the Black Panther Party and his pivotal role in the 504 sit-in at the Federal Building in San Francisco in 1977 were instrumental in the fight for disability rights. His life was one of the subjects of the documentary series “American Masters: Renegades.” Read a review of the short written by our Operations Fellow Andrea Ruiz: https://lnkd.in/edjMfWyz