News

Washington, D.C., July 4 – In painful irony, on the very day our nation celebrates independence and freedom, President Trump signed into law a budget reconciliation bill that strips away critical lifeline programs—threatening the independence, health, and dignity of millions across the country. Disability Belongs™, a nonpartisan, disability-led nonprofit, strongly condemns the passage of this harmful legislation and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to advocacy and systemic change for people with disabilities.

“Across the country, we’re reeling from the passage of this legislation,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Ariel Simms. “We’re deeply concerned about what this will mean for us, our friends, our families, our loved ones, and our communities. Despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead, we know that advocates and allies will continue to rally together to champion good policy, policy that benefits and uplifts disabled and marginalized communities, rather than harms us. We have been through this before, and as a community, we will continue to fight.” [continue reading…]

Disability Belongs™, a nonpartisan and disability-led organization, expresses deep disappointment with Congress for passing a profoundly harmful budget reconciliation bill without sufficient scrutiny or consideration of its effect on impacted communities.

As passed, the bill will cut roughly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade—the largest rollback of food assistance in U.S. history—and slash nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, threatening the health coverage of millions, including disabled people and older adults. The bill will also impose stricter work requirements on both Medicaid and SNAP recipients, even though most of these recipients are already working.

We remain committed to advocating for equitable opportunity and the rights of all people with disabilities, including those who are multiply marginalized. “When policy is not guided by the needs of those most affected, the consequences can be absolutely devastating,” said Ariel A. Simms, President and Chief Executive Officer of Disability Belongs™. “This legislation will have far-reaching impacts that can’t even be fully imagined today. We, the people, deserve better.” [continue reading…]

Congressman Steny Hoyer, Allison Hampton, and JPMorgan Chase to be honored on July 24th in Washington, D.C.

Disability Belongs™ is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Disability Impact Awards. Founded in 2022, these annual awards honor individuals and organizations creating meaningful, lasting change for the disability community.

This year’s honorees are:

• Congressman Steny Hoyer, a key leader in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), who will receive the Steve Bartlett Award.
• Allison Hampton, a Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program alumna and passionate disability justice advocate, who will receive the Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award.
• JPMorgan Chase, receiving the inaugural Disability Champion Award for demonstrating a sustained and meaningful commitment to advancing disability inclusion through partnership and allyship.

All three winners will be formally recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 24, 2025. [continue reading…]

Congress is currently debating the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation bill, and the proposed changes could dramatically reshape how states run essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If passed, these changes could cause millions of disabled people, older adults, and low-income families to lose critical support.

What’s Being Proposed?

The federal government is proposing to expand work requirements for programs like Medicaid and SNAP. While these changes are presented as standard policy measures, they may create steep barriers to access, especially for disabled individuals who encounter workforce discrimination, unpredictable health needs, or difficulties securing reasonable accommodations. [continue reading…]

This issue brief is intended for policymakers and disability advocates. Its goal is to inform and support a deeper understanding of how the proposed budget reconciliation bill may impact the lives of people with disabilities. It also offers policy recommendations aimed at strengthening protections and improving outcomes for the disability community.

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to forget where we came from—and even easier to take for granted the rights and protections on which we now rely. It is critical to remember that progress is not permanent—it must be actively protected and advanced.

The rights of disabled people have been hard-won. Recent developments, including a proposal to cut Medicaid funding, remind us that equity achieved is not equity secured.

This makes two things clear. First, we must understand history. Second, we must honor lived experiences. History helps us track how far we’ve come—and how easily we could slip back. Lived experience provides the moral clarity and urgency that data alone cannot. [continue reading…]

With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, lack of representation—just 2.2 percent of characters in the 100 top-grossing films of 2023—means that millions of people are unable to see themselves reflected in media.

The DC/DOX ’25 Film Festival, taking place June 12-15, is highlighting several disability-inclusive films. DC/DOX is a vibrant documentary film festival in the nation’s capital, celebrating bold voices, innovative visions, and dedicated truth-seekers in the art of non-fiction storytelling. Learn more about the festival’s accessibility options on their website. Accommodations requests should be emailed 72 hours in advance: wilma@dcdoxfest.com.
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The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), taking place June 16-22, is highlighting several disability-inclusive films. Chaired by Academy Award winner Geena Davis, BFF champions women and diverse voices.

According to festival programmers, 12% of the films in the competition categories have a director who identifies as disabled. In addition, 17% of these films include a lead character with a disability. These numbers are less than in 2023, when  “over 30% of the (competition) program is comprised of creators with disabilities” and “25% (of onscreen leads) represent talent with disabilities.” However, the 2025 numbers are an increase from 2021, when eight percent of the directors, four percent of the writers, and four percent of the leads identified as having a disability.
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“I know my words carry power.”

SPEAK. follows five high school students as they prepare and compete in one of the world’s largest public speaking competitions. Viewers learn the stories of Noor, Noah, Sam, Mfaz, and Esther, the two-time reigning national champion in the Oratory division.

SPEAK. is at times electric and at others contemplative, inviting reflection as well as moments of bold, unrestrained energy. Although Disability Belongs™ often reviews films that are centered around disabled protagonists or plotlines, SPEAK. is not, at its core, a story only about disability. Teenage orators share stories about LGBTQIA+ equality, gun safety legislation, war in the Middle East, and more. The beauty of the disability representation in this film is that it is so natural, because it’s simply part of what makes several students who they are.

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