News

The Phillips Collection participates in celebration of artists with disabilities to commemorate 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Washington, D.C. — The Phillips Collection is delighted to announce a partnership with RespectAbility for the upcoming #ADA30 Summit 2020. The summit is a free, virtual, week-long celebration in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Together with RespectAbility, The Phillips Collection will provide participants with daily virtual, accessible gallery tours that celebrate artists with disabilities. The summit will run from Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31, 2020.

“The Phillips Collection is honored to be a part of such a monumental milestone for Americans with disabilities, and for the opportunity to showcase works of art from our collection for this celebration,” says Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, Vradenburg Director and CEO of The Phillips Collection. “We are honored to welcome and learn from communities with different cognitive and physical abilities, including combat- related stress injuries.” [continue reading…]

Los Angeles, California, July 24 – As the entertainment industry seeks to be more inclusive of talent with disabilities, RespectAbility, the nonprofit that produced The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit, highlights examples of best practice among studio executives, producers, writers and actors in both the television and film industry during a virtual event.

Taking place as part of a larger week-long celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA30 Summit: Fighting Stigmas With Hollywood airs live on both Zoom and Facebook Live on Wednesday, July 29, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT. [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., July 22 – With more than 1 million workers with disabilities out of work due to COVID-19, the national disability nonprofit RespectAbility is hosting a two-part panel of thought leaders to honor the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to talk about building a better future of work for people with disabilities.

Taking place on Thursday, July 30, The Future of Work for People with Disabilities is part of a weeklong series of virtual #ADA30 events focused on building a better future and successful ways to get more people with disabilities into the workforce. [continue reading…]

New Tools to Be Released

Washington, D.C., July 22 – As more than 6.3 million students in America with disabilities are coping with COVID-19, the national disability nonprofit RespectAbility is hosting experts and self-advocates to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to promote greater success for students with disabilities.

“Thus far during the pandemic, distance learning has been a train-wreck for students with disabilities. Much more must be done so that no more harm comes to students with disabilities. This includes both access to real learning and preventing further mental health distress,” said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, president of RespectAbility. Mizrahi is dyslexic herself and, as a parent of a child with disabilities, is working to enable her own child to have access to a quality education during this current COVID-19 crisis. [continue reading…]

Los Angeles, California, July 22 – Across America people are doing vital work – protesting and working to fight structural racism. At the same time, Black and other people with disabilities are being excluded even in nonprofit groups that are working to fight inequity.

RespectAbility conducted a major study and published Disability in Philanthropy & Nonprofits, which looked at the levels of disability inclusion in the social sector across the country. The largescale study found significant data showing that nationwide, organizations overall want to be inclusive, but are unintentionally excluding the one-in-five people with disabilities. [continue reading…]

#SNAPDeliverySavesLives

Washington, D.C. July 21 – With the COVID-19 pandemic raging out of control and many resisting wearing life-saving masks, something as simple as going to the grocery store can become a life or death decision. People with disabilities and other underlying medical conditions are uniquely vulnerable to this disease and need access to safe options for putting food on the table.

According to the CDC, 90 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations are people with underlying conditions. Moreover, it is very hard for people who are blind to see who does or does not have a mask on. People who use wheelchairs cannot simply jump out of the way when someone comes near them without a mask. Thus, in places where people are not wearing masks or practicing full social distancing, RespectAbility – a national disability nonprofit – is encouraging people with disabilities to use food pickup or delivery so they can stay healthy. [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., July 16, 2020 – On July 26, America will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the most comprehensive piece of civil rights legislation ever passed for people with disabilities.

In celebration, the national disability advocacy nonprofit RespectAbility is hosting #ADA30 Summit 2020, with daily virtual events from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31. The #ADA30 Summit 2020 is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, the Murray/Reese Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company. [continue reading…]

Rockville, Maryland, June 28 – Known for her multidisciplinary approach and exemplary soft and hard skills, Debbie Fink is the Director of Community Outreach and Impact for RespectAbility. Maximizing this approach and dual skillset, she efficiently and effectively crafts trainings, programs and events that elevate purpose, deepen understanding, broaden community and quantify impact.

What does that mean, and how does she do it? A keen observer of all people around her, Fink elicits personal stories, cultivates connectivity and garners buy-in. Fink then identifies common threads among individuals and groups, pinpoints gaps and weaves together programming that promotes powerful change – change that is woven with earned trust, mutual respect and common goals.

After any such event, Fink assesses impact through ongoing surveys, data collection and analysis. At RespectAbility, Fink’s trainings, programs and events advance opportunities and fight stigmas for—and with—people with disabilities. Several best practices have emerged from her diligent work. [continue reading…]

Mansfield’s Character Zuzu Truly Feels the Beat in Netflix’s New Film

Shaylee Mansfield

Los Angeles, California, June 25 – At just 11 years of age, actress Shaylee Mansfield is quickly becoming a household name and role model for all children.

“I’m grateful to have a platform that will give not only Deaf children, but all children to freely speak up, to fight for what they want, and to be fully themselves even if it is not ‘popular,’” Mansfield said in an interview with RespectAbility.

Mansfield draws her inspiration from Daisy Ridley, Gal Gadot and Lauren Ridloff, noting that she is determined to be the next Deaf superhero after Ridloff, who will be appearing in the upcoming Marvel film The Eternals. [continue reading…]