The term Universal Design is increasingly common in conversations around accessibility, but what exactly does it mean? Universal Design is the configuration of a space or environment so it can be accessed, used, and understood by the greatest number of people, regardless of their size, age, or ability. This concept ensures buildings, parks, homes, and public transportation are approachable and inclusive for all.

Seven principles of Universal Design were developed in 1977 by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers, and environmental design researchers, led by the late architect Ronald Mace of North Carolina State University. These principles can be applied to update existing designs or guide the creation of new designs. [continue reading…]

At Disability Belongs™, eliminating barriers to work and advancing competitive, integrated employment (CIE) is one of our top policy priorities. We are committed to ensuring all workers are valued and paid fairly in inclusive workplaces. The path to fair wages and inclusive employment for disabled workers is a challenging one, but with your continued support we can help make it a reality. That starts with legislation that ensures all employees be compensated fairly and equitably.

Last session, Disability Belongs worked to advance the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA), a bold step toward ending subminimum wages for disabled workers by eliminating 14(c) certificates nationwide and promoting CIE. Despite our advocacy and the incredible support of our larger network, TCIEA didn’t make it through the legislative process in the 118th Congress. However, some of its key provisions were incorporated into a larger funding bill, called a continuing resolution, near the end of last session that would have also reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is a landmark law that connects job seekers with education, training, and support services while linking employers with skilled workers.

Unfortunately, Congress did not reauthorize WIOA as part of the continuing resolution. Instead, a stopgap version of the funding bill was passed, excluding key provisions from both TCIEA and WIOA. Now, as we move into the 119th Congress, the future of these critical pieces of legislation remains uncertain. [continue reading…]

What are ABLE Accounts?

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Established more than a decade ago, ABLE accounts are savings and/or investment options which allow qualified individuals with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without losing eligibility for Social Security and other government benefits. Medicaid eligibility is retained regardless of the account balance. Interest earned is tax-free. [continue reading…]

As a nonpartisan, disability-led, and majority-disabled organization, Disability Belongs™ is deeply committed to dismantling systemic biases and barriers that cause harm, perpetuate discrimination, and, in some cases, even lead to violence against our community.

Recent news has highlighted harmful and dangerous rhetoric, which portrays individuals with disabilities as “less than” our non-disabled peers and demonizes our community simply on the basis of disability. Such narratives foster fearmongering and perpetuate biases towards an already marginalized identity and experience. This stigma reinforces misconceptions that disability automatically equates to incompetence or an inability to succeed, including in the workplace. Disabled workers frequently find themselves in unjust situations, and we are often expected to continuously prove our value, despite being more than qualified for our roles. The interplay of ableism and dangerous rhetoric leads to even greater challenges and stigma. [continue reading…]

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Nickelodeon, in partnership with Disability Belongs™, is proud to introduce two valuable new resources: Educators’ Guide to Disability Inclusion and A Family Guide to Disability Inclusion. These guides are thoughtfully written and designed to help families and educators deepen their understanding of disability inclusion, spark meaningful conversations, and explore fun activities that encourage reflection on how we all learn, communicate, and move in unique ways.

Key topics include promoting disability inclusion, exploring identity and intersectionality, building empathy, designing inclusive spaces, and celebrating community. The guides also feature discussion tools to foster empathy and inclusive thinking, alongside an inspiring look at the history of disability activism from the 20th century onward.

Whether you’re an educator, caregiver, or advocate, these resources provide practical tools to drive understanding and action toward a more inclusive world. Download both guides today and join us in building a culture of equity and belonging.

For more helpful resources produced by Nickelodeon, visit the Nickelodeon Parents website.

With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the 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 2025 Sundance Film Festival (January 23 – Feb 2) will provide an opportunity for audiences with various disabilities to see themselves represented – both in-person and virtually.

This year, several films feature disability in the plot. In particular, several films feature deafness: documentaries Deaf President Now! and Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, as well as short film Ragamuffin.

Additional films include features Come See Me in the Good Light, Life After, Third Act, Two Women, episodic BULLDOZER, and short films Out for Delivery, The Reality of Hope, The Things We Keep, Unholy, View From the Floor, among others. [continue reading…]

According to the 2023 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report Presents: Streaming Television,14.3% of lead actors in the top streaming shows (live-action, scripted comedy, and drama series) in 2023 have a known disability. However, this statistic does not tell the whole story. Disability Belongs™ adds important context: the majority of these actors have nonapparent disabilities, meaning their disabilities are not immediately visible or visible to others at all.

The report also found that only 8.2% of co-lead actors in these shows have a known disability—a smaller share than lead actors. In comparison, 26% of adults in the U.S. identify as having a disability, underscoring the significant underrepresentation of disabled actors in these roles.

The UCLA report states that:

“Disability status was collected using Gracenote’s Studio System and Luminate Film & TV (formerly Variety Insight), which both note disability status that has been stated publicly. Types of disability that are tracked include the following: hearing, intellectual/developmental, mental health, neurodiverse, physical, visual, and non-specified.” [continue reading…]

We are happy to announce the launch of our pilot project Raising Awareness and Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Christian Community, made possible by a generous Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Through our Raising Awareness and Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Christian Community program, we are bringing together four Christian congregations from Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and California. Each congregation will meet as a cohort for two virtual disability inclusion training sessions for clergy and laity over the next six months. The program also includes site visits, during which a Faith Inclusion and Belonging team member will lead in-person training through sermons, adult education forums, and site accessibility evaluations. [continue reading…]

Director Amber Sealey: “It’s so important and crucial that we have all sets be accessible”

When Producer Peter Saraf’s daughter first read Sharon M. Draper’s “Out of My Mind,” she pitched it to him as a movie. Ten years later, “Out of My Mind” premiered at Sundance Film Festival and is now available on Disney+, reaching a new audience with a powerful message of inclusion and acceptance.

“Out of My Mind” is not just a coming-of-age film but an authentic and relatable story for the millions of children and young adults with disabilities. The situations that Melody faces are based on real-life experiences commonly encountered by disabled pre-teens and teenagers, as well as their parents and teachers.

[continue reading…]