National Disability Rights Network

Good news: rights to Medicaid are being protected. Su***de crisis lines are better supporting autistic people. And history museums are becoming more accessible.

Why do these things matter? Because wins matter. With growing attacks on disability rights, joy is more important than ever. So we’re dedicated to bringing you disability joy every month.

This month, joy showed up as Medicaid rights, more inclusive care, and increasing disabled people’s access to history.

What good news have you learned recently?

🗞️ Read the stories:
1. Medicaid rights protected in Wisconsin: https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/disability-rights-wisconsin-lauds-ruling-on-rights-of-medicaid-recipients/ (Disability Rights Wisconsin)
2. 988 is changing to better support autistic people: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-01/autistic-people-are-more-likely-to-experience-suicidal-crisis-988-is-changing-to-serve-them-better
3. Aariana Rose Philip, the first wheelchair user to attend the Met Gala: https://www.vogue.com/article/aariana-rose-philip-2026-met-gala
4. High schoolers fighting the bullying crisis against disabled students: https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2026/05/how-13-high-schoolers-are-fighting-the-bullying-crisis-facing-students-with-disabilities.html
5. New tactile history tour for blind and low-vision visitors: https://constitutioncenter.org/about/press-room/in-the-news/alexander-hamilton-is-cocky-george-washington-owns-the-room-blind-and-low-vision-visitors-decode-1776-using-their-hands-in-a-new-tactile-tour

Foster care can provide connection, care, and emotional well-being for some children. But other children can experience trauma, neglect, and abuse in the foster care system. This is the case for many children with disabilities.

Protection and Advocacy agencies (P&As) hold child welfare systems accountable by:

☑️ challenging bias,
☑️ improving oversight, and
☑️ pushing for community living policies.

We’re grateful for the P&As working to protect some of the nation’s most vulnerable children:

Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights New Mexico
Native American Disability Law Center
Disability Rights Florida
Disability Rights Tennessee
Georgia Advocacy Office
Disability Rights North Carolina

Connect with your P&A to learn more: https://www.ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-agencies/

P&As defend the rights of people with a wide range of disabilities—including Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease is a very serious chronic condition. When people with Celiac Disease eat gluten, their intestines and digestive system are damaged. They may feel pain or tiredness and they may lose weight. If a person with Celiac Disease gets too much damage from gluten, their body might stop digesting important nutrients, leading to lifelong problems.

In 2025, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) defended accommodations for people with gluten-related disorders. dLCV offered their expertise through an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief in a lawsuit titled McGinn v. Broadmead. dLCV argued that:

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
2. Gluten-related disorders are disabilities under the ADA.
3. Care facilities must provide safe and nutritious gluten-free food for residents.

P&As make sure people with Celiac disease can access gluten-free food, no matter where they are. Read more in the full brief from dLCV:https://www.dlcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025.03.10-DKT.-19-1-Brief-for-Amici-Curiae-Natl-Celiac-Assoc.-Disability-Law-Center-of-Virginia-ISO-Plaintiff-Appellant-Rebecca-Herbig.pdf

Check out NDRN's very own Manager for Voter Access and Engagement, Michelle Bishop, on Disability Rights California's recent podcast episode.

They discuss what California does well to make voting more accessible and how listeners can prepare for the June 2, 2026 primary election.

With practical tips, candid insights, and a bit of humor, the conversation encourages voters to feel informed and empowered.

(ASL) The Game Plan - Episode 112: I Love This About Voters As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. It’s a special election episode ...

Access isn't a checklist. It's a practice.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a good start for making digital content accessible. But color contrast, image descriptions, and captions are just the beginning.

True access can look like:
- Asking people with disabilities for feedback.
- Meeting the needs of your specific community.
- Learning how to share information in new ways.

Access is more than legal requirements. It’s a journey to make sure everyone with and without disabilities can stay connected.

What would make the world more accessible for you?

📣 UPCOMING EVENT: Join us for Accessible Communications 101!

Want to make messaging that is more inclusive and impactful? This webinar will introduce practical strategies to improve accessibility across your communications, whether you’re creating graphics, videos, written content, or presentations.

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b4zyScNbStC9-gngHhNnDw #/registration

You’ll learn:

☑️ Strategies for reaching audiences with diverse access needs
☑️ Best practices for visual, auditory, and digital accessibility
☑️ Tips for plain language and inclusive design

Accessible communications aren’t just best practice; they help ensure everyone can fully engage with your work.

🗓 June 11
⏰ 1:00 PM
💻 Virtual workshop
🎙 Featuring communications experts from the National Disability Rights Network.

Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b4zyScNbStC9-gngHhNnDw #/registration

⚠️Content warning: this post contains examples of ableist language.

People with mental illness are not broken and do not need to be fixed. What they DO need is care, support, and community.

Ableism, stigma, and shame makes it harder for people with mental illness to receive care. Breaking these barriers begins with listening to people with mental illness, building community, and advocating for change together.

We’re always looking for more resources to share. Which Mental Health Support resources do you recommend?

Every story shared highlighting people's lived experiences with mental illness helps break the stigma.

People with disabilities are often framed as burdens by many outside voices. At times, those voices can feel all too loud.

We're here to remind everyone who might be feeling that weight: You are not alone. You are not a burden.

The world is better with you in it.

NAMI

⚠️ Content warning: descriptions of abuse against children with disabilities and mentions of self-harm and su***de.

School is not supposed to hurt. But students who experience dangerous restraint or seclusion are hurt every day.

A school in Kentucky tied an autistic child up in a bag.
A school in Indiana secluded a child for so long that the child tried to hang himself.
And in Florida, restraint and inclusion increased tantrums and anxiety for a student with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It’s time to protect our students.

Tell Congress: end these dangerous practices in schools now. Ask your Congress member to pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act: https://secure.everyaction.com/yl-Yy7myo0O1vUTaw6P4Ig2.