Submitted testimony will help inform Department of Education efforts to collect better disability data.

Washington, D.C., March 22 – As the nation continues to grapple with the lessons learned from one year of lockdown, virtual education and the other results of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education solicited new ideas to support the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2021 School Survey. In response to this opportunity, the RespectAbility team rapidly solicited insights from board members, partner organizations and self-advocates to push for the collection of better disability data as part of the NAEP.

“Distance learning has been a disaster for teachers, parents and students alike. Over time, some of the impacts are recoverable,” said Jaime H. Pacheco-Orozco, who serves as the Assistant Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability and on RespectAbility’s Board of Directors. “It won’t be easy, but there is a path forward. That path must include capturing clear data that will help future generations of students with disabilities.” [continue reading…]

Carol Gould smiling in front of a painting of Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion

In my first essay for RespectAbility I mentioned the problems single, sick or disabled congregants of modest means have in this modern world because we as a people have excelled in so many pursuits.  From the outset I must make it clear the second part of my essay is not a bitter mega-kvetch about poor cousins envying rich cousins. It is an overview of modern Jewry contrasted against the world my grandfather inhabited – a world of tzedakah. [continue reading…]

Los Angeles, CA, March 18 – After launching a new campaign to inspire the love of reading featuring a diverse group of talent from across the Disney family, Disney is shining the spotlight on two actresses with disabilities who are reading Disney books.

This is important, as almost seven million children in America have a disability; to see readers with disabilities represented in this campaign gives children with disabilities the confidence they can be part of the next generation of storytellers. [continue reading…]

Los Angeles, CA, March 18 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 SXSW Festival was canceled. However, this year many of the best films from 2020 are returning to SXSW. Best Summer Ever is one such film. This musical, filled with talented individuals with disabilities, is a must-see.

Best Summer Ever is a musical directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli and co-written by Randa, Smitelli, Will Halby, Andrew Pilkington and Terra Mackintosh, produced by the nonprofit Zeno Mountain Farm. Given the production’s deep connections to the disability community, it comes as no surprise that Best Summer Ever is one of the most disability-inclusive films I have ever seen. [continue reading…]

Passover is coming up soon, and depending on whether or not you and your family have been vaccinated, you might be able to safely celebrate in person this year. It’s important to remember that it’s easy to hold festivities where all guests — with and without disabilities — feel welcomed, respected and have fun. But it takes some extra thought. For example, children with learning disabilities generally do not want to be called on to read the part of the “Simple Child” at the Seder. If you are celebrating online, our Virtual Events toolkit is for you! If you are celebrating in person, here are some tips to ensure your gatherings are inclusive, thoughtful and welcoming to all. [continue reading…]

How will this $1.9 trillion law help the 61 million Americans living with a disability?

Washington, D.C., March 12 – This week, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This massive bill includes a range of policies and programs intended to get more Americans vaccinated, help working families, and lay the groundwork for a post-pandemic economic recovery. Critically, it also contains key proposals that will directly benefit millions of people with disabilities, including helping students with disabilities get back to the classroom and directly sending stimulus checks to many people left out of previous relief efforts. [continue reading…]

Los Angeles, March 11 – In today’s cultural landscape, we are seeing an unprecedented explosion of media that presents a fusion of entertainment and education. Resources like these allow people to look for help in an inviting, compassionate situation before venturing out into other social spaces. We Got You is a podcast that both entertains and educates teens on mental health issues and other disabilities that often are stigmatized or rarely spoken of in an earnest manner. It is through anecdotes that the show explores the truths of its collaborators’ unique predicaments.

Hosted by Samantha Logan of 13 Reasons Why and All American, each episode focuses on a single issue as presented through the narration of teenagers of various backgrounds. This format allows for frank and accessible discussions of real, lived experiences without the barriers of clinical jargon and other hurdles for non-specialists. [continue reading…]

Washington, D.C., March 8 – As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, it is critical to recognize the unique challenges and critical contributions made by women with disabilities to American society.

Data from the Annual Disability Statistics, published by the researchers at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, shows that there are 21,201,155 women living with disabilities in America today. This includes 10,174,591 working-age (18-64) women with disabilities, many of whom have been directly impacted by the economic disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. [continue reading…]

Norma Stanley

When I think of Women’s History Month, I can’t help but think of all the amazing women with and without disabilities — some famous and many not so famous — who have fought and continue to fight for the right of individuals with disabilities to just be their unapologetically authentic selves and to have the opportunity to live their best lives. These women are mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, teachers, caregivers and advocates who refuse to let their friends and loved ones with disabilities be overlooked and underappreciated. They want their individuality, uniqueness, resourcefulness, creativity and power to shine brightly. They bring to bear these vital qualities to their families, communities, the workplace, businesses, the arts and in so many other ways and areas of life! All they need and are asking for is acceptance, accessibility and opportunity to bring their myriad abilities to the table so everyone can benefit from their often underused talents. [continue reading…]