News

On behalf of Disability Belongs™, a diverse, nonpartisan, disability-led nonprofit that drives cultural and policy change, we express deep concern about proposed federal budget cuts to essential programs that millions of Americans rely on—especially people with disabilities, older adults, and underserved communities.

Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid would have devastating consequences for individuals who already face systemic barriers to food security, quality healthcare, and economic stability. [continue reading…]

Viewers may think they know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. However, writer/director Regan Linton has reimagined this classic tale in a new short film as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Reframed: Next Gen Narratives program. In this series, six filmmakers adapted classic movies through a contemporary lens, tackling modern-day issues surrounding identity.

Episode Three: Jack and the Beanstalk is about a young man named Jack (Josh Elledge), who is an employee at the Beanstalk Grocery. Jack is a subminimum wage worker being exploited by his employers. Despite being an excellent worker, beloved by his colleagues and customers and recommended for a promotion by his manager, Ellie (Valentina Fittipaldi), Jack is caught off guard when the regional manager, Marge (Hannah Duggan), tries to shut his progression down. Marge cunningly cites the company’s compliance with employment laws while evading the obvious exploitation of Jack.

“That really resonated for me in relation to our disability community, and the constant battles we are fighting to be able to live fully and productively,” director Regan Linton shared in an interview with Disability Belongs™. “So, I wanted our Jack to be someone who has a lot going on underneath the surface (which most of us do), and follows the rules (however absurd they may be) in order to influence and win. And when I thought about current metaphorical ‘giants’ our community faces, there are so many, but the inherently inequitable subminimum wage issue jumped out to me.” [continue reading…]

In Sūnna (Hindi for listen), Radha Mehta invites the audience into a contemplative and atmospheric film that recognizes sound and silence as forces that can shape identity and belonging. It follows Lakshmi, a young Indian girl who experiences sudden hearing loss just as she is about to perform a cherished religious song. The film deftly explores identity, familial love, and spiritual belonging.

“I like to have sound as its own character,” Mehta shared in an interview with Disability Belongs™, “because it’s very much been its own character in my life, throughout my entire life.”

“When that sound escaped me, I felt like I was losing parts of myself,” recalled Mehta, who is hard-of-hearing herself, describing the autobiographical roots of Lakshmi’s story. “Music was all around me, [it was] so entrenched within our home.” [continue reading…]

Every day, millions of people across the United States rely on long-term services and supports (LTSS) to lead full and independent lives. These supports—ranging from in-home caregiving and personal attendant services to assistive technology and transportation—are not about comfort or convenience. They are about dignity, inclusion, access, and human rights.

Conversations about LTSS often focus narrowly on aging, yet more than half of Medicaid LTSS users are under the age of 65 and live with disabilities. This includes children with developmental disabilities, adults with spinal cord injuries, working professionals managing chronic conditions, and countless others navigating systems not built with them in mind.

As demand for LTSS grows, people with disabilities must be at the center of every conversation—across funding, program design, delivery, and reform—to build a system that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. [continue reading…]

In 2020, voters with disabilities were twice as likely to report difficulties voting. Only 17% of polling places were fully accessible in 2016. And more than 38 million eligible voters with disabilities could benefit from improved access. Passing the Accessible Voting Act (AVA) would be a major step towards addressing these issues.

Disability Belongs™ works to advocate for accessible voting for all Americans. At the federal level, we vigorously supported the Accessible Voting Act in the last Congress (118th) and are hoping for its reintroduction in the current Congressional session (119th). [continue reading…]

Community and belonging are central to many faith and spiritual traditions. Yet, people with disabilities face many barriers to access and inclusion. Addressing these barriers acts as a catalyst not just for participation, but for true belonging. Shifting the conversation from “can people with disabilities attend our worship services?” to “who is missing from our gatherings, and what would it take to make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued here?” demonstrates how accessibility can move beyond welcoming to create genuine belonging.

When people think about accessibility, physical features such as ramps, elevators, and accessible seating often come to mind. While these are critical, it’s important to recognize that not all disabilities are visible or physical. Expanding our understanding of accessibility and disability allows faith and spiritual organizations to better meet the full needs of disabled individuals. [continue reading…]

Language has the power to shape how we see each other. The words we use to talk about disability influence how people feel, how they are treated, and how fully they are included in our communities.

At Disability Belongs™, we believe that respectful, accurate, and inclusive language is a cornerstone of true belonging. That includes using terms like “disabled people” or “people with disabilities” rather than outdated or euphemistic phrases like “special needs” or “the disabled.” It also means avoiding language like “suffers from” or “afflicted with,” which frame disability as a tragedy or a source of pain. Instead, we can simply say that someone has a disability—or even better, use the specific language they choose to describe themselves. [continue reading…]

With 433 sites covering more than 85 million acres across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories, the United States’ National Parks offer a plethora of opportunities for visitors to engage with the country’s natural and cultural resources.

The National Parks are a much-beloved American attraction, but it might not be immediately obvious how they cater to people with disabilities or access needs. In reality, the parks have a variety of accommodations available to visitors. With National Park Week happening April 19th to 27th, it is important to acknowledge how disabled people can access the parks. [continue reading…]

Leadership development is a critical component of every workforce. For both employers and individuals, leadership development that addresses the fundamentals as well as principles of accessibility, equity, and inclusivity are ideal.

There are various ways to support employees as they enter leadership roles. These include organization-based programs that help employees looking to advance their careers within the company, as well as external programs where employees can independently enhance their leadership skills. One notable example is our Leadership Program.

Disability Belongs™’ Leadership Program emphasizes disability inclusion and accessibility, recognizing that these concepts are essential for any initiative aimed at developing leaders, regardless of the field. Leaders who prioritize inclusion create environments where employees feel they belong and where their perspectives are valued. [continue reading…]