News

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 That includes using terms like “disabled people” or “people with disabilities” rather than outdated or euphemistic phrases like “special needs” or “the disabled.”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…]

At Disability Belongs™, we fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community life, including the workforce. Yet, disabled people still face significant barriers in finding and retaining meaningful employment. In 2024, 37% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared to 75% of working-age people without disabilities. This disparity is largely due to accessibility challenges, harmful misconceptions, and the pervasive stigma surrounding disability.

The challenge for people with disabilities isn’t their ability to succeed in a career, as they are just as capable as their nondisabled peers. The issue is that disabled individuals encounter more obstacles to employment. [continue reading…]

Executive Summary

The U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive access to inclusive education, services, and legal protections under federal law. Recent proposals to dismantle, restructure, and defund the Department threaten to undermine decades of progress in disability rights and educational equity. This policy brief outlines the essential role of the Department of Education, the risks posed by dismantling it, and a call to action to safeguard the rights and opportunities of students with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Accessibility is not just a checklist to tick off; it is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that all members, from every background and belief, feel truly valued and embraced. Every individual, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to fully engage in worship, rituals, traditions, and community life. Creating and nurturing an accessible faith community is a profound testament to the power of inclusion, the depth of belonging, and the strength of our shared humanity.

While some may assume accessibility improvements are costly or complex, many meaningful steps can be taken with little to no financial investment. A mindset of inclusion, intentional planning, and proactive communication can transform any faith community into a place where everyone is welcome and supported. [continue reading…]

Under current law, more than one million Americans with lifelong disabilities who receive benefits as ‘Disabled Adult Children’ (DACs) lose their Social Security and Medicare benefits if they marry a non-disabled person. This can severely limit disabled individuals from having access to lives of their choosing, including marriage. People shouldn’t have to choose between marriage to the person they love and losing their benefits.

What Does the Bill Do?

The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act includes the following key provisions:

• Eliminates the requirement that a DAC beneficiary remain unmarried to receive Social Security benefits
• Ensures that DAC benefits are not revoked upon marriage
• Modifies Social Security’s rules regarding common law marriages
• Protects Supplement Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid eligibility for DACs who marry a non-disabled person

[continue reading…]

We recognize the importance of authentic representation and how our interactions with others are often shaped by our experiences with popular culture, media, and the news. Unfortunately, this frequently leads to harmful narratives and stereotypes that can foster division and even fear of our community. Recent and far-reaching rhetoric has brought to light yet again some of the most popular misconceptions about autism. In line with Disability Belongs™’ mission to fight stigmas and advance opportunities, we want to ensure that harmful language and misunderstandings about disability, neurodivergence, and autism do not continue to spread unchecked in society.

Here are some common myths about autism, a type of neurodivergence and commonly considered a disability, and some of the facts you should know. [continue reading…]