The Disability Economic Justice Collaborative

When we talk about #Cannabis, it is crucial to recognize the intersectionality between #Legalization and #Disability. This is an issue I've been passionate about for some time, and I believe we cannot have one conversation without the other. Thank you to Drug Policy Alliance, Cage-Free Cannabis, Last Prisoner Project, Veterans Cannabis Coalition and many others for their time and expertise lent to this commentary. https://lnkd.in/eJpRWTcs

Every individual's time and experiences are invaluable. Yet, too often, disabled individuals are expected to offer their expertise and insights for free. This expectation not only devalues their contributions but also perpetuates a system of inequality. It's time to recognise the inherent worth of every person's lived experiences and time. This is a great article from Dr Shani Dhanda talking about just that: https://lnkd.in/erGfvC2m

Not everyone loves government regulations, but this is worth noting. 1. This has been A LONG time coming, as the process was started under the Obama administration and not completed and then restarted by the Biden administration. 2. The world has changed to the point that digital accessibility is as critical to full inclusion as accessible physical spaces. 3. The rule making provided a chance for advocates and stakeholders from all sectors to share their experiences and perspectives. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule covering Title II of the ADA to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile applications (apps) for people with disabilities. State and local governments have 2-3 years, depending on their populations, to comply with the rule’s obligations to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. It is also notable that Rule Making for Title III (Title III applies to the private sector such as businesses and non-profit organizations) has not yet begun, so the work is not yet done.

"Adults like Wilson who live with a disability report higher rates of delayed access to medical equipment and supplies than adults without a disability, a new?Urban Institute report?finds. This contributes to worsening health outcomes, chronic pain, and mental health issues.? The analysis comes from the Institute’s June 2022 Health Reform Monitoring Survey of nearly 10,000 adults ages 18-64. And researchers who spearheaded the report told Word In Black the findings are not surprising.? “What is surprising… there’s not a lot of national data on barriers adults with disabilities face to get medical equipment, supplies, and other home and community-based services,” Michael Karpman, Principal Research Associate in the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute, says. “This is filling an important data gap that is really not covered by federal surveys.”?

What are the costs of airlines' failure to enable disabled people to fly with safety and dignity? And would people with disabilities fly more often if air travel was more accessible? A new report from TCF's Kings Floyd set out to answer those questions by surveying nearly 100 people with disabilities on their experiences while flying. The survey results paint a clear picture: airlines' failure to invest in accessibility is costing them valuable customers and potential revenue. Nearly 70% of disabled participants said they had passed up on airline travel in the previous years due to accessibility concerns. More than half of participants said they would spend more than $1,000 a year on air travel if airlines increased their investments to improve accessibility. Our new report offers actionable solutions to make accessible travel a reality: https://bit.ly/49jlUFe

Today is Long COVID Awareness Day. It was just about this time four years ago that the nature of daily life was upended by COVID-19. Although the public health emergency declaration ended last year, the pandemic’s impact will be felt for years to come by many people, including those who had the virus and now experience Long COVID or its associated conditions. Many people experiencing Long COVID are valued members of America’s workforce, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through its Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is committed to supporting them.

The Center for American Progress put together the #WomensPlaybook, led by Rose Khattar and others. I am so impressed by the amount of work the team put into this report. I was asked to write a piece on disabled women and economic issues. Thank you Anona Neal for helping co-write this with me. https://lnkd.in/en6EZJfa

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition To Host Virtual Event On BIPOC Women With Disabilities In Leadership To register for free, go to eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/erC7hyPz

Empowering newcomer immigrant students starts with inclusive policies. The #NationalNewcomerNetwork, led by @TCFdotorg and @CalTog, is pushing to make them a reality. Read their new policy platform: https://tcf.org/nnn/

Lives Worth Living - Kings Floyd discusses the devaluing practice of assigning quality-adjusted life years (QALY) to people's medical conditions and disabilities, and the opportunity for a bipartisan moment. https://lnkd.in/eeYbmujU