AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities

@aapd

AAPD works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities and advocates for full civil rights for over 70 million Americans with disabilities. We are a national cross-disability and nonpartisan organization. Get involved: aapd.com

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AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 3h

Summer Internship Program alum HuáHuī Samuel Vogel wrote a beautiful reflection about how his adoption story and medical journey inspired their passion for advocacy. Read it: https://ow.ly/eBKF50ZyZgg

Portrait of HuaHui above a quote: "By rejecting the tropes of 'inspiration porn' and superficial acceptance, I position the intersections of my medical trauma, cultural stigma, and profound familial love not as obstacles that I simply conquered, but as the foundational catalysts for my life's dedication to authentic representation and systemic advocacy."

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 6d

AAPD is hiring 2 Alumni Network Regional Gathering Co-Organizers to help plan and execute our upcoming Washington, DC Alumni Network Gathering on November 6-8, 2026! Apply here by August 16, 5 PM PT: https://ats.rippling.com/aapd-jobs/jobs/9ac50c26-64b9-4d68-812b-9850e98a23c4

Blue text on a navy background: "AAPD is hiring. Regional Gathering Co-Organizer. Temporary, Remote with in-person travel $25/hour, $2,500 total"

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 8d

We’re feeling ✨kinda chic✨lately, are you?

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 16d

36 years ago today, the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush (with AAPD co-founder Justin Dart by his side!). The ADA transformed this country and access to public life for disabled people. Today, we are still fighting to protect the ADA and other hard-fought disability rights.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 29d

Question asking if Indigenous Americans, called American Indians and Alaska Natives in the IFR, are exempt from the requirement, with true and false buttons with true selected.

Question asking if Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income recipients must meet work requirements, with true and false answer buttons with true selected.

Question asks if being disabled but not on SSI or SSDI disqualifies for an exemption, with True and False answer buttons with false selected.

Question asking if states must implement these requirements immediately with True and False buttons with false selected.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 29d

Question asking if people can lose Medicaid despite qualifying for an exemption with true and false answer options with true selected.

Question asking if the IFR requires states to verify if people meet work requirements, with true and false buttons with true selected.

Question asking if enrolling in school at least half-time satisfies the requirement, with true and false answer buttons with true selected.

Question asking if caregivers of people with disabilities may qualify for an exemption, with true and false answer options with true selected.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· 29d

The recent Medicaid work requirement rule has caused fear and confusion, so here are some fast facts. You can learn more at our webinar from 2-3:30 PM ET today, and via AAPD's recent explainers. Register for the webinar at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

Question about Medicaid work requirements with AAPD offering help understanding new federal guidelines.

Question asking if Medicaid recipients must engage in work, education, training, or volunteering starting January 1, 2027, with true and false options with true selected.

Question asking if disabled people are automatically exempt from Medicaid work requirements, with true and false buttons with false selected.

Question asking if the rule applies only to the Medicaid expansion population with true and false buttons with true selected.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 10

Summer Internship Program alum Jack Reeves wrote about the intersection of LGBTQI+ Pride Month and Disability Pride Month. As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, Jack argues it is important to ensure the rights of disabled and LGBTQI+ Americans. Read the blog at https://ow.ly/BR4t50ZmfFv.

A photo of Jack Reeves in a business-casual button-down smiling at the camera in front of trees

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 9

Last month, AAPD was in PBS NewsHour, The New York Times, NPR, and Where the Ramp Ends for our work on disability rights and independent living. Across these stories, AAPD was cited as a leading voice on how recent changes to disability policy could threaten the dignity of disabled Americans.

A PBS NewsHour segment discussing a new Justice Department memo challenging long-standing disability protections, featuring a woman in a blue dress at an airport.

NPR headline about disability advocates fearing a return to institutionalization and a picture of the sign for the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building at

New York Times article about disability advocates expressing concern over RFK Jr.'s appointment and its impact on special education programs under the Trump administration.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 8

AAPD is hosting a webinar on July 14 from 2 - 3:30 PM ET about the Medicaid work requirements. Panelists Rachel Patterson from Patterson & Meek and Jennifer Lav from the National Health Law Program will discuss how disabled people may be affected. Register at https://ow.ly/nnv750ZlLqm.

Graphic of a calendar highlighting a Medicaid Work Requirements Webinar on Tuesday, July 14th from 2 to 3:30 PM ET

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 7

The ADA’s legacy is still being written. Join AAPD on July 22 at the Westin DC Downtown as we celebrate 36 years of the ADA, honor the leadership of Rep. Steny Hoyer and gather in community for the work ahead. Tickets: https://ow.ly/6HR550ZlcZH #ADA36 #DisabilityRights

Graphic promoting AAPD's ADA Celebration honoring Rep. Steny H. Hoyer on July 22 at 6:30pm EST in Washington DC.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 1

Disability Mentoring Day takes place this October! Join an AAPD orientation call to learn how you can become a DMD Coordinator and help disabled students and young people connect with mentors and explore career paths. July 16 or Aug. 20, 4 - 5 PM ET Sign up: https://ow.ly/Ol5A50ZjrRv

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jul 1

July is Disability Pride Month! To kick off the month, AAPD Editorial Manager Naomi Hess wrote a blog about the importance of disabled love in all its forms. Read the full blog: https://www.aapd.com/disabled-love-will-keep-us-going/

Woman with sunglasses sitting on a rooftop with the Washington Monument in the background under a cloudy sky. There is a quote underneath her that says: "All of my experiences being in community with other disabled people have shown me that I am not alone. None of us are. If love means showing up for each other and supporting each other through the good times and the bad, there has never been a more important time for disabled love than the current moment."

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jun 22

27 years ago today, the Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C guaranteed disabled people the right to live and receive services in their communities. These rights are now under attack, but we will keep fighting.

27 years ago, the Olmstead v L.C. Supreme Court decision allowed people with disabilities to live in their communities.

Olmstead freed people with disabilities from institutions and gave us community living.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Jun 10

Research from Lurie Institute for Disability Policy found that 13% of disabled people identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 7% of non-disabled people? Check out this link for guidance on how to make events accessible! https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AAPDs-Event-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf

Progress Pride flag with a yellow triangle and purple circle, accompanied by text highlighting that disabled people are nearly twice as likely to be queer as non-disabled individuals, celebrating Pride Month.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· May 26

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on its impact. 75 advocates from 17 states held meetings with 72 different Congressional offices over the course of two days. https://www.aapd.com/disability-power-on-the-hill-2026-voices-advocacy-and-community-in-action/

Large group of people with disabilities gathered on Capitol building steps for 2026 Disability Power on the Hill.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· May 21

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Access looks different for everyone. It goes beyond things like screen readers, automatic doors, and ramps. We asked our staff what’s something out of the ordinary they do for access, and here’s what they said:

Access is more than just just captions, sign language, and ramps. Access can also look like

“Sitting at round tables to read lips better”

“Colorblind or high-contrast modes in video games”

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· May 12

Today kicks off our 3rd annual Disability Power on the Hill! Disability Power on the Hill is a time when disability advocates from around the country gather together on Capitol Hill to discuss important issues facing disabled Americans with their representatives in Congress. #DisabilityPower26

An outline of the US Capitol. AAPD. The words Disability Power on the Hill framed by the colors of the disability pride flag. Beneath that, the words "Disabled, Powerful, Proud. Third Annual Disability Power on The Hill"

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· May 5

You have until May 29th to apply for AAPD's 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship! Are you a student looking to pursue a career in media, communications, or entertainment? https://www.aapd.com/tony-coelho-media-scholarship/

Applications for the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship are still open, due by May 29 at 5 PM ET.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· May 1

A huge thank you to Wells Fargo for being the co-presenting partner for our 2026 National Community Event. Your commitment to inclusion helped make our event possible.

Colorful hands reaching inward around a yellow sunburst with text thanking Wells Fargo as co-presenting partner of the 2026 AAPD National Community Event.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 29

At the AAPD National Community Event happening tonight, you will hear from disabled grassroots activists fighting for voting access for the disability community nationwide. There is still time to get a ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-aapd-national-community-event-tickets-1982299255435

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 28

Our National Community Event is soon! If you haven't gotten your ticket yet: https://ow.ly/i4Vh50YR9us Medicaid is changing, and we want our community to be ready for these changes.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 28

In the last year, the Department of Health and Human Services made many dangerous changes. These changes hurt public health in the US, especially for autistic people. Read the full report, co-authored with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network at: https://ow.ly/PfLr50YR7xe

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 27

Join us for our 2026 National Community Event on April 29th, 6PM We will highlight the power of community and provide opportunities to take action together to defend and advance disability rights. Get your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-aapd-national-community-event-tickets-1982299255435

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 27

During our National Community Event, we're taking time to honor two extremely powerful disability community members who became ancestors within the last year. Alice Wong and Bob Kafka. We miss them dearly, and their impact on our community cannot be overstated.

Graphic showcasing out National Community Event honoring the memories of Alice Wong and Bob Kafka.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 24

AAPD’s 2026 National Community Event coming up, next Wednesday! This event celebrates the strength of the disability community. Reserve your spot now at this link to ensure you receive the link to stream at home: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-aapd-national-community-event-tickets-1982299255435

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 23

Delaying digital accessibility is unacceptable. It’s that simple. We strongly oppose these changes and demand that the Department of Justice withdraw the interim final rule and restore the original compliance deadlines. Read our full statement: https://ow.ly/19iZ50YOzfG

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 14

We're hiring for two temporary positions! One is remote, and one is in-person. Both roles will assist AAPD in reaching people for a needs assessment that will inform the creation of a new program. Head to this link to learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/ROzx50YJ76T

Two teal graphics list the roles and share the information highlighted in the caption.

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 13

You like us, you really like us! AAPD received a Webby award nomination for our Protect Medicaid! campaign last summer. Please vote for us by April 16! https://ow.ly/P35950YIswf

Stylized graphic showcasing our entry for the Webby's on a laptop screen. In large, all uppercase text above the laptop are the words "VOTE FOR US".

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities@aapd· Apr 10

Tony Coelho Media Scholarship alum Cassidy Huff wrote about the importance of disability representation in the film industry. During a recent commercial shoot, she experienced true inclusion that showed what's possible when accessibility is prioritized. Read her full blog: https://ow.ly/s8jC50YHg1P