Skip Navigation
Image of people smiling and posing for a photo

News

Accessibility in National Parks: An Intentional Approach to Ensuring Disabled Citizens Have Access to Recreation of Our Choice

With 433 sites covering more than 85 million acres across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories, the United States’ National Parks offer a plethora of opportunities for visitors to engage with the country’s natural and cultural resources.

The National Parks are a much-beloved American attraction, but it might not be immediately obvious how they cater to people with disabilities or access needs. In reality, the parks have a variety of accommodations available to visitors. With National Park Week happening April 19th to 27th, it is important to acknowledge how disabled people can access the parks. [continue reading…]

Leadership Development Strategies for Inclusive Workplaces

graphic contains a briefcase, the accessibility icon, and an illustration of a leader and six of their followers. text reads Leadership Development Strategies for Inclusive WorkplacesLeadership development is a critical component of every workforce. For both employers and individuals, leadership development that addresses the fundamentals as well as principles of accessibility, equity, and inclusivity are ideal.

There are various ways to support employees as they enter leadership roles. These include organization-based programs that help employees looking to advance their careers within the company, as well as external programs where employees can independently enhance their leadership skills. One notable example is our Leadership Program.

Disability Belongs™’ Leadership Program emphasizes disability inclusion and accessibility, recognizing that these concepts are essential for any initiative aimed at developing leaders, regardless of the field. Leaders who prioritize inclusion create environments where employees feel they belong and where their perspectives are valued. [continue reading…]

Workplace Misconceptions of Disability Contributing to the Employment Gap

icon of a person seated at a desk working on a laptop with gears representing thinkingAt Disability Belongs™, we fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community life, including the workforce. Yet, disabled people still face significant barriers in finding and retaining meaningful employment. In 2024, 37% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared to 75% of working-age people without disabilities. This disparity is largely due to accessibility challenges, harmful misconceptions, and the pervasive stigma surrounding disability.

The challenge for people with disabilities isn’t their ability to succeed in a career, as they are just as capable as their nondisabled peers. The issue is that disabled individuals encounter more obstacles to employment. [continue reading…]

Policy Brief: The Threat to the U.S. Department of Education and Its Impact on Students with Disabilities

Executive Summary

Seal of the US Department of Education with a tree on itThe U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive access to inclusive education, services, and legal protections under federal law. Recent proposals to dismantle, restructure, and defund the Department threaten to undermine decades of progress in disability rights and educational equity. This policy brief outlines the essential role of the Department of Education, the risks posed by dismantling it, and a call to action to safeguard the rights and opportunities of students with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Accessibility as a Foundation of Inclusion

graphic of two people with speech bubbles. one speech bubble has an accessibility icon and the other has a thumbs up.Accessibility is not just a checklist to tick off; it is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that all members, from every background and belief, feel truly valued and embraced. Every individual, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to fully engage in worship, rituals, traditions, and community life. Creating and nurturing an accessible faith community is a profound testament to the power of inclusion, the depth of belonging, and the strength of our shared humanity.

While some may assume accessibility improvements are costly or complex, many meaningful steps can be taken with little to no financial investment. A mindset of inclusion, intentional planning, and proactive communication can transform any faith community into a place where everyone is welcome and supported. [continue reading…]

Federal Policy Update: The Reintroduction of the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act (H.R. 1389) 

text reads The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act. border around the graphic has many colorful flowersUnder current law, more than one million Americans with lifelong disabilities who receive benefits as ‘Disabled Adult Children’ (DACs) lose their Social Security and Medicare benefits if they marry a non-disabled person. This can severely limit disabled individuals from having access to lives of their choosing, including marriage. People shouldn’t have to choose between marriage to the person they love and losing their benefits.

What Does the Bill Do?

The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act includes the following key provisions:

  • Eliminates the requirement that a DAC beneficiary remain unmarried to receive Social Security benefits
  • Ensures that DAC benefits are not revoked upon marriage
  • Modifies Social Security’s rules regarding common law marriages
  • Protects Supplement Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid eligibility for DACs who marry a non-disabled person

[continue reading…]

Combatting Misinformation: Understanding the Facts About Autism 

We recognize the importance of authentic representation and how our interactions with others are often shaped by our experiences with popular culture, media, and the news. Unfortunately, this frequently leads to harmful narratives and stereotypes that can foster division and even fear of our community. Recent and far-reaching rhetoric has brought to light yet again some of the most popular misconceptions about autism. In line with Disability Belongs™’ mission to fight stigmas and advance opportunities, we want to ensure that harmful language and misunderstandings about disability, neurodivergence, and autism do not continue to spread unchecked in society.

Here are some common myths about autism, a type of neurodivergence and commonly considered a disability, and some of the facts you should know. [continue reading…]

Accommodation Tips for Employers from the Job Accommodation Network and Disability Belongs™

Communication is essential to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace and ensuring a seamless and collaborative accommodation process. In a webinar with the Job Accommodation Network (AskJAN), Disability Belongs™ shared key strategies and resources to help employers navigate accommodation discussions with confidence.

Reasonable accommodations help unlock employee potential, enhance workplace productivity, and support a diverse workforce. They also ensure compliance with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar laws, when applicable. [continue reading…]

Universal Design for a More Inclusive World 

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…]

All About ABLE Accounts

What are ABLE Accounts?

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…]

1 2 3 108 109
Disability Belongs trademarked logo with green and blue overlapping droplet shapes and logo type in blue to the righ

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Disability Belongs™
43 Town & Country Drive
Suite 119-181
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Office Number: 202-517-6272

Email: Info@DisabilityBelongs.org

Operational Excellence

Disability Belongs™ is recognized by GuideStar at the Platinum level, and has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
© 2025 Disability Belongs™. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Cool Gray Seven   |   Site Development by Web Symphonies   |   Privacy   |   Sitemap

Back to Top

Translate »