On February 6, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will retain the current American Community Survey (ACS) disability questions for 2025 and work closely with stakeholders in the disability community to ensure that future questions better account for the various types and levels of disability.

In October 2023, the Census Bureau had suggested modifying the questions about disability in the survey, which was likely to significantly undercount of the disability population.

In response to proposed changes, RespectAbility, alongside other disability organizations, asked for your help to tell the Census Bureau to stop the proposed changes and consult with the disability community. The Census Bureau received more than 12,000 public comments regarding the proposed changes to the ACS. Your voice made a difference! Thank you for your support!

With legislatures around the country in full swing, you may be headed to your state capitol or statehouse soon. Effectively communicating with a state legislator to advocate for a piece of legislation involves careful planning, clear communication, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process, from reaching out initially to following up. [continue reading…]

On February 8, Kansas joined the ranks of 15 other states that have already abolished or are in the process of phasing out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities.

RespectAbility is pleased and encouraged that a bipartisan, cross-section of states is moving to ensure that people with disabilities are earning real pay for real work. We look forward to working to continue this momentum in all 50 states.

Is your state onboard? Check out the map and list of states that have abolished or are currently phasing out subminimum wage for people with disabilities! [continue reading…]

Monthly Employment Update for People with Disabilities

According to the latest National Trends In Disability Employment (nTIDE) report:

• The labor force participation rate for people with disabilities grew from 39.6% in January 2023 to 40.5% in January 2024. This continues an upward trend we have observed throughout the past year and remains close to the all-time highs. Workers without disabilities increased their labor force participation rate from 76.8% in January 2023 to 77.3% in January 2024.
• The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities rose from 36.7% in January 2023 to 37.8% in January 2024. For people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio increased from 73.9% to 74.2%.

Unemployment Rate

According to the US Department of Labor (DOL) disability employment statistics, the unemployment rate of people without a disability rose slightly to 4% from 3.4% in the previous month, within the range of 3-5% deemed healthy by most economists. The unemployment rate amongst those with a disability is more than one and a half times higher at 6.5%.

“This Body is a Shell,” which premiered at Slamdance Film Festival last month, is an extraordinary film that beautifully portrays the journey of self-acceptance and the triumph over societal beauty standards. Directed by Ashley Eakin, this film takes an intimate look at the lives of diverse women and their struggles with self-love and having to face their own reflections.

From the very beginning, the film captivates viewers with its profound message and thought-provoking imagery. The women in the film represent different walks of life, each facing their own battles with the damaging effects of societal expectations. Through their stories, the film highlights the universal experience of feeling trapped in a body that doesn’t conform to society’s standards of beauty. [continue reading…]

Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Bjørg Engdahl.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – The first 10 minutes of Benjamin Ree’s documentary “Ibelin” is a story about a family coming to terms with loss after their son and brother passes away at 25 from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. However, as the film goes on, viewers realize that “Ibelin” is actually a story about the life and impact of Mats Steen, who discovers a world of friends through online gaming, where he uses the moniker Ibelin Redmoore, famed detective and nobleman. Overall, “Ibelin,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this month, is a coming-of-age story about new ways of creating relationships. [continue reading…]

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Lucienne Bloch.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – The Sundance hit “Frida” takes viewers through the famed painter’s life and how her acquired disability plays a role throughout Frida Kahlo’s life. As a teenager, she wanted to become a doctor. After acquiring her disability, she found fulfillment in painting.

In the opening moments, viewers hear an actor reading excerpts from Frida’s writings. “In my life, I’ve only painted the honest expression of myself. To say what I couldn’t in any other way. I pant because I need to.” [continue reading…]

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo by Herb Ritts / AUGUST.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – As “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” premiered during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, audience members were visibly holding back tears, being pulled into the story of not just Christopher Reeve but also his family. The lives of the mother of his first two children, his wife, and his three children were intertwined throughout the documentary in a way that brought Reeve’s life and legacy to the forefront. This documentary ultimately becomes a film about a family – with each family member learning how to deal with their own individual trauma. [continue reading…]

State legislatures all over the United States are introducing new bills or continuing to pursue those that were left unfinished in 2023. RespectAbility is closely monitoring several bills at the state level. In Washington, SB 5616 aims to establish the Nothing About Us Without Us Act, while Colorado’s HB 24-1067 seeks to clarify that many caucuses and government meetings are not accessible to people with disabilities. Virginia’s HB 1165 is aimed at expanding the definitions in various laws to improve the lives of people with disabilities. RespectAbility is also in favor of California’s SB 483, a bill that would prohibit the use of prone restraints in schools.

RespectAbility is enthusiastic about engaging with these and other bills as the 2024 legislative cycle progresses. RespectAbility is also collaborating with other disability organizations to explore the possibility of establishing legislative disability caucuses in California, Colorado, and Nebraska.