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dlunited.bsky.social
Disability Law United
@dlunited.bsky.social
230 followers 130 following 140 posts
Eliminating discrimination at every intersection. 💪 Since 2013, we’ve taken cases to defend the rights of people with disabilities, and we’re ready to continue.

Impact litigation & advocacy for intersectional disability justice, nationwide.
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dlunited.bsky.social
Disability Law United @dlunited.bsky.social · Nov 13
Let's talk about it! 👉

We know when it comes to violating the laws and protections that exist to uphold our rights, some of the biggest offenders are often private corporations, including those who run immigration detention centers. #disability #disabilityjustice #immigration

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dlunited.bsky.social
Whether someone's mind or body can produce any one outcome or be monetized for gain is not the measure of an individual. A society that treats its members as widgets to exploit or discard is weak in the only currency that matters; human flourishing.
Build a disabled future. www.dlunited.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:42 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Proud of our staff attorney Laura Murchie, and her work representing Mr. Avirmed, a deaf asylum seeker who was detained by ICE and denied his rights to language access in violation of the law.
ICE Is Detaining Deaf Immigrants & Denying Them Access to Sign Language
ICE is detaining deaf immigrants and failing to provide sign language interpretation, raising serious civil rights and accessibility concerns in detention facilities.
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February 12, 2026 at 10:25 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
🚨 PDX Person-Centered Emergency Preparedness 🚨

Worried about being ready when disaster strikes? You’re not alone.

Join us on February 17 from 4:30–6:30 PM (PST) for a community-centered conversation on emergency preparedness — designed with disabled people at the center.
February 11, 2026 at 10:25 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Proud of our attorney Kate Thorstad, here laying out why disability and climate justice are interconnected and what we can do -
Disability Justice and Disasters | How Things Work: The Legal Edition
Join disability rights and environmental justice attorneys Stephanie Duke and Kate Thorstad for a conversation about meaningful access for people with disabilities in disasters. Addressing risks such…
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February 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
A disproportionate number of the people who died in the LA Fires a year ago were disabled. This didn’t have to happen. Governments are required to provide for the access needs of the disability community. We demand they keep that promise by suing them when they fail. Help support our work!
CREEC
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February 10, 2026 at 6:38 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
The presence of ICE officers in our cities is a threat to the safety of disabled and nondisabled people. Ms. Rahman's testimony is important to listen to
'I'll break your f--king window': Minneapolis victim gives chilling details of ICE, detention horror
Aliya Rahman, a disabled U.S. citizen, testifies at a congressional forum examining DHS use of force. Rahman says she was stuck in a Minneapolis traffic jam on the way to a medical appointment when…
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February 5, 2026 at 10:25 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Happy thursday!
This is a reminder that despair is the weapon of the enemy, designed to keep you paralyzed.
Right this minute there are kickass disability activists fighting for inclusion, dignity, and civil society. Never give up - we won't:)
disabilitylawunited.org/take-action/...
February 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
📣 Join our Staff Attorney, Laura Murchie, for a powerful IRAP webinar:

Resisting on Multiple Fronts: Refugees & Migrants with Disabilities in Trump 2.0

🗓 Jan 29 | ⏰ 12–2pm ET

ASL, live captions & Spanish interpretation provided.
🔗 Register now!
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January 27, 2026 at 9:44 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
🤝 From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

We're entering this new year with gratitude in mind, and part of that includes sharing our immense thanks for our many supporters and friends.
On a purple background, bold white text reads, "Thank you for your support in 2025." The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the graphic.
January 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Earlier this month, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Adam Smith (WA-09) introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, a bill that seeks to enact guardrails and oversight on immigration detention and ensure civil and human rights are protected.

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#immigration #Disability
On a teal background, a dark purple graphic of a pen is centered above the date, 12/23/25. Large white letters notify the reader of a new blog post on the DLU website. Below, a subheading reads, "Disability Law United Supports Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act." The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the image.
December 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
💥 Hiring now! Will you join our team?

Disability Law United is now hiring for a staff attorney role. 🔗 Visit www.disabilitylawunited.org to learn more about the role and benefits.

#disabilityrights #civilrights #civilrightslaw #attorney #Disability #accessibility
Bold white text on a dark purple background tells the reader that Disability Law United is hiring. Smaller gold text notes that the role is for a staff attorney or senior staff attorney, and the position is full-time and remote. Applicants are invited to learn more at www.disabilitylawunited.org. The DLU logo is located in the bottom left of the image. A stylized pink and gold graphic of a hand holding a megaphone is visible on the left side.
December 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
This #GivingTuesday, when you donate to support DLU, your gift means:

1. City & local governments include people with disabilities in their emergency plans, so no one is left behind when disaster strikes

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On a purple background, large, bold gold and white text reads "This Giving Tuesday, Make Disability Rights Your Cause." The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the image.
December 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
We're saddened by the loss of Alice Wong, who was a brilliant & fierce advocate for disability justice.

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The image is of Alice Wong, a Chinese-American activist and advocate. She is seen in a power wheelchair and with a breathing tube, and wears colorful, pink and orange clothing and pink lipstick. Text across the image reads, "Remembering Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project and disability justice advocate."
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
Take action today and power the fight for disability rights! ✊

Disability Law United (DLU) fights alongside marginalized people with disabilities to transform our communities.

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Under a purple and gold gradient filter, the image shows a photo of a person's feet standing on a tactile paving at a curb. The DLU logo is included in the top left corner of the image. Large white text is centered and reads, "the work we do needs you."
November 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
You may remember this graphic, which we originally shared back in December, celebrating a new rule that required airlines to adhere to new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel, ensuring they can fly safely and with dignity.
On a light grey background, a graphic of a commercial airplane is centered below a headline that reads, "Sweeping Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities." The word 'sweeping' is crossed out in bright red, and the word 'fewer' is written above instead. A subheading reads, "USDOT Will not enforce Biden-era rules requiring new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs." Small text and an arrow invite the audience to swipe to read more. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom. On a light grey background, text reads, "The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it will not enforce specific parts of a Biden-era rule that had ensured new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel to ensure that they could fly safely and with dignity." Smaller text then outlines key requirements of the rule which would have required airlines to provide specific accommodations for passengers traveling with mobility aids. The final paragraph notes that after a lawsuit filed by several major airlines, the Trump administration will not enforce requirements for airlines to notify passengers about their rights in writing when they are checking wheelchairs or scooters, nor will these air carriers be liable for mishandled wheelchairs, or for reimbursing passengers who use a wheelchair for the cost difference between flights if their wheelchair does not fit in the cabin of an aircraft. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the graphic. On a light grey background, text reads, "We know that flying commercially in the U.S. can be fraught with fear and anxiety for people with disabilities. One public survey found that 1 in 10 people with a disability do not fly due to fear of bodily harm, damage to their wheelchair, or aircraft inaccessibility. Roughly 5.5 million Americans rely on assistive devices like wheelchairs for their mobility on a daily basis, making them crucial for individual autonomy and independence, and preserving dignity. Yet many people have historically found air travel to be a barrier, with DOT data showing that at least 1 in every 100 wheelchairs or scooters transported on domestic flights will be lost, delayed in its return, or otherwise damaged." Below, larger, all-caps text reads, "This rule would have protected consumers with disabilities and forced airlines to provide a safe and dignified standard. Now, those protections have been weakened or removed." Red ink underlines the last few words for emphasis. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the graphic.
September 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
Save the Date! 📆 DLU's 2025 Fall CLE will take place on September 30th, both in-person in Denver, Colorado and online via Zoom.

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The pillars of the U.S. Supreme Court building can be seen in the background under a purple-blue filter. In the foreground, large white text announces Disability Law United's 2025 Fall CLE, "Disability & the Supreme Court in the Age of Trump: Assessing Risks & Opportunities." Smaller text in white and gold indicates the event will take place on September 30th, 2025 from 1-4pm Eastern both in-person in Denver and online via Zoom, concurrently. The viewer is invited to Save the Date. Registration opens July 31st at 9am Eastern time. The DLU logo is included in the top right corner of the image.
July 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
✊ LEGAL VICTORY: A Deaf, non-verbal asylum seeker from Mongolia has been released from ICE custody following a federal court order requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide accommodations to our client.

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#Disability #Immigration #disabilityrights #OtayMesa
On a teal background, a white text box with black, bold text reads "In win for disability and immigrant rights, Dear Mongolian asylum seeker released from ICE custody following federal court order requiring disability accommodations." The date July 24th, 2025 is included on a line below. At the bottom of the image, the logos for Disability Rights Legal Center and Disability Law United are centered on a white field. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to Read More by swiping over or moving to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black, bold text reads "A Deaf, non-verbal man from Mongolia, Avirmed fled to the U.S. to seek asylum after he was the target of brutal attacks because of his disability. These beatings left him with a traumatic brain injury, seizures and memory loss. He had been detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center since February. But despite repeated attempts by his legal team to secure disability accommodations in detention, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to provide a qualified Mongolian Sign Language (MSL) interpreter." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black text reads "Avirmed spent months unable to effectively communicate with immigration officials about his asylum claim or his medical and mental condition. Instead of providing a qualified Mongolian Sign Language (MSL) interpreter, immigration officials relied on tools like Google Translate. ICE’s disregard for Avirmed’s rights under federal law resulted in dangerous and at times absurd miscommunications, including misidentifying his sister, a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S., as his daughter." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black text reads "On July 16, 2025, Judge Dana Sabraw of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a qualified MSL interpreter for all future proceedings, redo mental health and credible fear evaluations that were previously conducted without interpretation, reschedule his competency hearing following proper assessments, remove the flawed earlier evaluations from the record, allow additional time for daily video calls with legal counsel and an MSL interpreter and ensure Avirmed’s sister is present for all future proceedings." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image.
July 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Calling all disability justice advocates! We want YOU 👈 for the DLU Board.

We’re pleased to announce the planned expansion of our board & the launch of our open call for new board members, to join the Disability Law United Board of Directors in the fall.
Large gold text on a dark purple background invites the viewer to JOIN THE BOARD. Smaller white text explains that the DLU Board of Directors is expanding this fall, and asks interested individuals to email board@dlunited.org to express their interest. An image of a darker-skinned hand holds a smartphone with the DLU logo emblazoned on its case.
July 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Disability Law United
thedrlc.bsky.social
After months in ICE detention without anyone who could communicate with him in Mongolian Sign Language, a Deaf asylum seeker has finally been granted a voice in court, thanks to DRLC and @dlunited.bsky.social.

calmatters.org/justice/2025...
Deaf Mongolian immigrant held by ICE in California for 4 months with no access to interpreter
A disabled immigrant’s detention underscores the shift in asylum policies at the Mexico border since President Trump took office
calmatters.org
July 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
In a win against ICE and their continued discrimination against people with disabilities in detention, Disability Law United and co-counsel Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC) have prevented a Deaf immigrant from Mongolia from being immediately deported

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Against a background photo depicting blue skies over a brick building and barbed wire fencing, large white text on a dark grey background reads, "DLU & DRLC Prevent Immediate Deportation of Disabled, Deaf Asylum Seeker, Force ICE to Provide Accommodations." The headline is dated Tuesday, July 15th. The Disability Law United logo is included in the upper left corner.
July 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
An Organizational Statement from Disability Law United:

Today's 6-3 Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. CASA limits the ability of the lower courts to check presidential power, effectively creating a national patchwork of unequal rights.

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Headlines from NPR, the New York Times and AP appear on torn scraps of paper, all addressing the June 27th Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions. In the background, a black-and-white photograph of the U.S. Supreme Court Building is superimposed over an American flag. A pull quote from Disability Law United fills the bottom two-thirds of the graphic, reading, "“This ruling creates a national patchwork of unequal rights... only [for] those who have the time, resources, and ability to seek redress through the courts. DLU believes constitutional protections - and statutory rights - apply to and must be enforced for all. We will battle on, and we will win.” The DLU logo is included at center-bottom.
June 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
People with disabilities are often especially vulnerable during climate disasters. As temperatures warm globally, the risk to our communities also rises. We're glad to see cities like Portland taking steps to build #climateresilience.

Read the article from @opb.org at buff.ly/Y8jKc84

#Disability
A screengrab of a news article reads "Portland is offering another 10,000 free air conditioners to boost climate resilience." Below the header is a pull quote from the article, which reads, "Last year, the Oregon Department of Energy study found many of the state’s most vulnerable residents lack the necessary equipment to stay cool in their homes during hot summers. The study also found that residents in Multnomah County are more likely to be exposed to extreme heat and have limited capacity to adapt to it." The article is from OPB, whose logo is included in the top left corner. The image also contains collaged photos of Portland, Oregon's waterfront and skyline as well as the famous Portland, Oregon sign.
June 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Disability Law United recognizes the inhumane approach of the U.S. immigration system, which reduces the value of human lives to their perceived utility -- an ableist framework that discriminates against so many.

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Silhouetted refugees of all ages and genders, including one person in a wheelchair, hold hands on a gold background. A map of the world is superimposed behind them. Large white text reads "WORLD REFUGEE DAY" and smaller text notes the date of June 20th, 2025. The DLU logo is located in the top left corner.
June 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
This #Juneteenth, we're memorializing and celebrating 160 years since enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas, following the Civil War.

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A raised fist against a tricolor background in green, red and black. "Celebrating Juneteenth: Freedom Day" is written in large gold and white text across the image. The DLU logo is included in the bottom left corner.
June 19, 2025 at 11:01 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
That's a wrap on our first event of 2025! 🎬 We had a fantastic turnout on Tues. May 13th to hear from our incredible panel of speakers on disability and immigration.

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On a deep purple background, gold and white text reads "Spring CLE Wrapped." Photos of the 4 speakers, all women, are set in the upper left corner. Reviews from three event attendees are featured on the page in bold text: 'All of the presenters did a wonderful job... The historical background was especially interesting and helpful to inform my work.' 'Great and informative. Excellent presenters. Thank you!' 'Thank you for one of the best CLEs ever! Packed with such practical and useful information.' The DLU logo is centered at the top of the image in gold.
May 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM