News

Executive Summary

The 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 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…]

Under 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

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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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

Download Guide

Download Guide

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.