Darren Bates
@dlbllc.bsky.social
Disability Policy Director | Global Accessibility & Disability Inclusion Strategist | Bulldog Lover | Disabled | LGBTQ+ | “If your fight for democracy doesn’t include disabled people, you’re doing it wrong.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenbatesll
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenbatesll
Legal challenges like this matter because they shape how disability civil rights are enforced across systems. States pressing forward with this lawsuit risk undermining protections people rely on every day.
#DisabilityRights #CivilRights
www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/13/s...
#DisabilityRights #CivilRights
www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/13/s...
States Decline To Drop Lawsuit Threatening Disability Rights Protections
As federal officials look to clarify recent rules designed to bar disability discrimination in health care, a long-simmering lawsuit threatens to invalidate them altogether.
www.disabilityscoop.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Legal challenges like this matter because they shape how disability civil rights are enforced across systems. States pressing forward with this lawsuit risk undermining protections people rely on every day.
#DisabilityRights #CivilRights
www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/13/s...
#DisabilityRights #CivilRights
www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/13/s...
Proud to steward this work. The Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda is a long-term, disability-centered framework grounded in civil rights & lived experience—designed to guide advocacy beyond any single legislative cycle & advance independence, community participation, and belonging across systems.
We're excited to share our first-ever Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda, which outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Read it at the link below!
Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda
Our Policy Agenda outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Proud to steward this work. The Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda is a long-term, disability-centered framework grounded in civil rights & lived experience—designed to guide advocacy beyond any single legislative cycle & advance independence, community participation, and belonging across systems.
Reposted by Darren Bates
We're excited to share our first-ever Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda, which outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Read it at the link below!
Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda
Our Policy Agenda outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
We're excited to share our first-ever Disability Belongs™ Policy Agenda, which outlines the key reforms, legislative efforts, and suggested systemic shifts necessary to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Read it at the link below!
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF BOB KAFKA
January 31st, 2026.
Text, links, and more information can be found at: adaptoftexas.org
January 31st, 2026.
Text, links, and more information can be found at: adaptoftexas.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF BOB KAFKA
January 31st, 2026.
Text, links, and more information can be found at: adaptoftexas.org
January 31st, 2026.
Text, links, and more information can be found at: adaptoftexas.org
Jan. 6, 2026: A federal judge halted HHS guidance banning DEIA language in Head Start grants. Language is not neutral—erasing words that name marginalized communities has long preceded civil rights erosion. Disabled people must not be erased.
#DisabilityRights #Accessibility #CivilRights #HeadStart
#DisabilityRights #Accessibility #CivilRights #HeadStart
January 7, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Jan. 6, 2026: A federal judge halted HHS guidance banning DEIA language in Head Start grants. Language is not neutral—erasing words that name marginalized communities has long preceded civil rights erosion. Disabled people must not be erased.
#DisabilityRights #Accessibility #CivilRights #HeadStart
#DisabilityRights #Accessibility #CivilRights #HeadStart
Reposted by Darren Bates
As we begin 2026, Disability Belongs™ remains committed to advancing disability-led public policy, expanding opportunity, and safeguarding essential programs and civil rights. (continued in replies)
January 6, 2026 at 4:46 PM
As we begin 2026, Disability Belongs™ remains committed to advancing disability-led public policy, expanding opportunity, and safeguarding essential programs and civil rights. (continued in replies)
"On January 1, 2026, a major change to ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts took effect nationwide. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act raised the disability onset age for ABLE eligibility from before age 26 to before age 46..." www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/01/able...
State Policy Update: ABLE Age Adjustment Act Expands Eligibility Nationwide - Disability Belongs™
On January 1, 2026, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act opened access to tax-advantaged savings for millions more disabled adults.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
"On January 1, 2026, a major change to ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts took effect nationwide. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act raised the disability onset age for ABLE eligibility from before age 26 to before age 46..." www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/01/able...
Medicaid work rules are not neutral. Added paperwork and reporting have a long record of pushing eligible #disabled people off coverage.
Exemptions on paper aren’t enough. Work rules must not become a back-door Medicaid cut.
🔗 www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/05/m...
Exemptions on paper aren’t enough. Work rules must not become a back-door Medicaid cut.
🔗 www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/05/m...
Medicaid Changes Could Limit Access For People With Disabilities, Advocates Warn
As federal officials begin to outline more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules, worries are running high about what the changes will mean for people with disabilities.
www.disabilityscoop.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Medicaid work rules are not neutral. Added paperwork and reporting have a long record of pushing eligible #disabled people off coverage.
Exemptions on paper aren’t enough. Work rules must not become a back-door Medicaid cut.
🔗 www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/05/m...
Exemptions on paper aren’t enough. Work rules must not become a back-door Medicaid cut.
🔗 www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/05/m...
Reposted by Darren Bates
Legendary disability rights activist Bob Kafka passed away. What a huge loss. I sure hope heaven is accessible, otherwise they’re in big trouble. His memory will be a blessing! apple.news/Awvp9TBzjRTy...
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79 — NPR
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
apple.news
December 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Legendary disability rights activist Bob Kafka passed away. What a huge loss. I sure hope heaven is accessible, otherwise they’re in big trouble. His memory will be a blessing! apple.news/Awvp9TBzjRTy...
Reposted by Darren Bates
A profound loss for the disability community. May his memory be a blessing.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
www.npr.org
December 28, 2025 at 12:14 AM
A profound loss for the disability community. May his memory be a blessing.
Reposted by Darren Bates
When the federal government erases words like ‘disability’ and ‘accessibility,’ it doesn’t create neutrality, it weakens civil rights, obscures legal obligations, and makes disabled people and older Americans less visible across society and the programs meant to serve them.
#WordBan #Disability
#WordBan #Disability
December 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
When the federal government erases words like ‘disability’ and ‘accessibility,’ it doesn’t create neutrality, it weakens civil rights, obscures legal obligations, and makes disabled people and older Americans less visible across society and the programs meant to serve them.
#WordBan #Disability
#WordBan #Disability
Reposted by Darren Bates
Restrictions on language in federal programs “word ban” —reflect an ugly & familiar historical pattern: when terms that name & protect marginalized groups are erased, civil rights protections weaken soon after, making #disability & access less visible in policy and practice.
san.com/cc/preschool...
san.com/cc/preschool...
Preschool network Head Start sues feds over ‘word ban’ of DEI terms
Head Start programs sued HHS over a "word ban" on terms like "disability" and "women," alleging it conflicts with federal law.
san.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Restrictions on language in federal programs “word ban” —reflect an ugly & familiar historical pattern: when terms that name & protect marginalized groups are erased, civil rights protections weaken soon after, making #disability & access less visible in policy and practice.
san.com/cc/preschool...
san.com/cc/preschool...
When the federal government erases words like ‘disability’ and ‘accessibility,’ it doesn’t create neutrality, it weakens civil rights, obscures legal obligations, and makes disabled people and older Americans less visible across society and the programs meant to serve them.
#WordBan #Disability
#WordBan #Disability
December 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
When the federal government erases words like ‘disability’ and ‘accessibility,’ it doesn’t create neutrality, it weakens civil rights, obscures legal obligations, and makes disabled people and older Americans less visible across society and the programs meant to serve them.
#WordBan #Disability
#WordBan #Disability
Restrictions on language in federal programs “word ban” —reflect an ugly & familiar historical pattern: when terms that name & protect marginalized groups are erased, civil rights protections weaken soon after, making #disability & access less visible in policy and practice.
san.com/cc/preschool...
san.com/cc/preschool...
Preschool network Head Start sues feds over ‘word ban’ of DEI terms
Head Start programs sued HHS over a "word ban" on terms like "disability" and "women," alleging it conflicts with federal law.
san.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Restrictions on language in federal programs “word ban” —reflect an ugly & familiar historical pattern: when terms that name & protect marginalized groups are erased, civil rights protections weaken soon after, making #disability & access less visible in policy and practice.
san.com/cc/preschool...
san.com/cc/preschool...
A federal judge nominee said #disabled people shouldn’t be able to marry. What a preposterous statement, and by the way, if and when we do, marriage can sometimes come with the termination of life-saving healthcare and other benefits...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
A federal judge nominee said disabled people shouldn’t be wed. In fact, many can’t.
Marriage often nullifies the government benefits they need to get by.
www.motherjones.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A federal judge nominee said #disabled people shouldn’t be able to marry. What a preposterous statement, and by the way, if and when we do, marriage can sometimes come with the termination of life-saving healthcare and other benefits...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Some good news. The #disability community, allies, and advocates have been pushing for these changes for years.
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/12/18/n...
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/12/18/n...
New Year Brings Big Changes For ABLE Accounts
Access to accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save without losing government benefits will expand dramatically and people with the accounts will be able to save more than ever before.
www.disabilityscoop.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Some good news. The #disability community, allies, and advocates have been pushing for these changes for years.
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/12/18/n...
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/12/18/n...
"Democracy Denied for Disabled Americans: Guardianship and the Right To Vote" via @americanprogress.bsky.social
www.americanprogress.org/article/demo...
www.americanprogress.org/article/demo...
Democracy Denied for Disabled Americans: Guardianship and the Right To Vote
Protecting the right to vote for many disabled Americans requires eliminating guardianship laws that restrict access to the ballot.
www.americanprogress.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"Democracy Denied for Disabled Americans: Guardianship and the Right To Vote" via @americanprogress.bsky.social
www.americanprogress.org/article/demo...
www.americanprogress.org/article/demo...
Reposted by Darren Bates
Every organization faces the same choice: treat #accessibility as a last-minute scramble or weave it into the culture from day one, with #disabled people in the lead.
Image Description: the universal access icon next to a briefcase with icons on it for braille, vision, captioning, and sign language
Image Description: the universal access icon next to a briefcase with icons on it for braille, vision, captioning, and sign language
Beyond Compliance: Why Accessibility Must Be Built into Organizational Culture - Disability Belongs™
For too long, accessibility has been an afterthought, an expensive add-on only implemented to comply with laws. That mindset is finally starting to change.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Every organization faces the same choice: treat #accessibility as a last-minute scramble or weave it into the culture from day one, with #disabled people in the lead.
Image Description: the universal access icon next to a briefcase with icons on it for braille, vision, captioning, and sign language
Image Description: the universal access icon next to a briefcase with icons on it for braille, vision, captioning, and sign language
DOJ’s decision to end disparate impact enforcement under Title VI is a major civil rights shift with wide implications for disabled people.
I break down the impact and offer real-world examples in my LinkedIn explainer:
www.linkedin.com/posts/darren...
I break down the impact and offer real-world examples in my LinkedIn explainer:
www.linkedin.com/posts/darren...
#disability #disparateimpact #titlevi #transportation #education #workplace #health #systemicdiscrimination | Darren Bates
The DOJ Just Ended Disparate Impact Enforcement Under Title VI. Here’s Why That Matters for Disabled People
This week, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized a major shift in Title VI enforcement. ...
www.linkedin.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
DOJ’s decision to end disparate impact enforcement under Title VI is a major civil rights shift with wide implications for disabled people.
I break down the impact and offer real-world examples in my LinkedIn explainer:
www.linkedin.com/posts/darren...
I break down the impact and offer real-world examples in my LinkedIn explainer:
www.linkedin.com/posts/darren...
Ableism much?
The change was intended to improve #accessibility (read access) for readers with #disabilities, such as low vision and dyslexia, and people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
The change was intended to improve #accessibility (read access) for readers with #disabilities, such as low vision and dyslexia, and people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
At State Dept., a Typeface Falls Victim in the War Against Woke
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Ableism much?
The change was intended to improve #accessibility (read access) for readers with #disabilities, such as low vision and dyslexia, and people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
The change was intended to improve #accessibility (read access) for readers with #disabilities, such as low vision and dyslexia, and people who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
"NEWS: Sanders, HELP Committee Democrats Call on Cassidy to Hold Hearing on Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle Education Department"
www.help.senate.gov/dem/newsroom...
www.help.senate.gov/dem/newsroom...
NEWS: Sanders, HELP Committee Democrats Call on Cassidy to Hold Hearing on Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle Education Department | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), along with...
www.help.senate.gov
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"NEWS: Sanders, HELP Committee Democrats Call on Cassidy to Hold Hearing on Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle Education Department"
www.help.senate.gov/dem/newsroom...
www.help.senate.gov/dem/newsroom...
"Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI
Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.
www.kuow.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
"Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
"When the federal government shuts down, the headlines often focus on political gridlock — not the everyday impact on millions of people with disabilities and older adults. But for many, a shutdown threatens something basic: their next meal."
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/gove...
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/gove...
How Government Shutdowns Reveal the Fragile Food Security System for Americans in Need - Disability Belongs™
When the federal government shuts down, the headlines often focus on political gridlock. But for many, a shutdown threatens something basic: their next meal.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
"When the federal government shuts down, the headlines often focus on political gridlock — not the everyday impact on millions of people with disabilities and older adults. But for many, a shutdown threatens something basic: their next meal."
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/gove...
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/gove...
"Medicaid redetermination must not create new barriers for people with disabilities. States can — and should — design accessible systems to protect the healthcare that people with disabilities rely on to live and thrive in their communities."
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/medi...
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/medi...
Medicaid Redetermination Rules Are Changing How People Keep Coverage - Disability Belongs™
States should design accessible systems to protect the healthcare that disabled people rely on to live and thrive in their communities.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
"Medicaid redetermination must not create new barriers for people with disabilities. States can — and should — design accessible systems to protect the healthcare that people with disabilities rely on to live and thrive in their communities."
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/medi...
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/12/medi...
Reposted by Darren Bates
Without an extension of ACA tax credits, families could soon face much higher monthly premiums or lose coverage altogether, which would threaten #disabled people's ability to access care, maintain independence, and participate in community life. Congress still has time to act - your voice matters ⬇︎
Take Action to Protect Affordable Health Coverage - Disability Belongs™
Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of this year—on December 31, 2025.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
December 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Without an extension of ACA tax credits, families could soon face much higher monthly premiums or lose coverage altogether, which would threaten #disabled people's ability to access care, maintain independence, and participate in community life. Congress still has time to act - your voice matters ⬇︎