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dredf.bsky.social
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
@dredf.bsky.social
2K followers 150 following 98 posts
DREDF is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities. Website: dredf.org
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dredf.bsky.social
We are now accepting Arlene Mayerson Summer Internship applications (for rising 2Ls & 3Ls). Join us at DREDF and work alongside attorneys, special education advocates, and policy analysts! Learn more at dredf.org/2026-dredf-a...
Text reads “We are hiring! 2026 Arlene Mayerson Summer Interns DREDF is looking for rising 2L or 3L law students with interest in disability rights and social justice. All law student applicants, regardless of qualifications, will be considered. This internship provides the opportunity to receive a stipend. Deadline for applications is February 7, 2026” with a photo of a white coffee mug with the DREDF logo on it.
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Your air travel story can spark change.

DREDF's friends at All Wheels Up are supporting research by inviting passengers with disabilities and caregivers to share their air travel experiences in a study.

Take the brief anonymous survey: https://ku.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UMzzfiSH8Vdkq2
A blue and light-blue graphic with bold white text that reads, “Share your air travel experience! As a passenger with a disability or their caregiver.” Below, text says, “You can help increase understanding of air travel experiences, adaptations, and accommodations for passengers with disabilities.” A QR code appears in the bottom left corner, and two small megaphone icons are placed in opposite corners.
November 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Layoffs & cuts to special ed threaten the rights of millions of disabled students. Read @americanprogress.bsky.social's analysis:
The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students
The Trump administration unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with its policy changes and budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Department of Education, leaving disabled children and students with fewer services and protections.
www.americanprogress.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:31 PM
dredf.bsky.social
November is Native American Heritage Month. 

Learn how disability and Native identity intersect through first-hand stories and resources from @disabilityrightsfl.bsky.social: https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/deaf_disabled_native_americans
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Cuts to special education protections are happening now.

Join DREDF + partners at a Virtual Town Hall to Protect IDEA on Nov 4 @ 4 pm ET.

Together, we can help protect the rights of children w/ disabilities.

Register https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ROjpXDrPS76Hm2y3udCXbg<a href="/hashtag/%2Fregistration" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#/registration
A square graphic with a maroon border and a white center panel. Bold red headline reads: “Cuts to Special Education Protections Are Happening Now!” Below, text says: “Join a Virtual Town Hall to Protect Children with Disabilities & Protect IDEA. Tuesday, November 4, 2025 @ 4:00 pm ET.” There are logos of participating organizations: The Center for Learner Equity, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Arc, Council for Exceptional Children, and COPAA.
October 31, 2025 at 10:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Wondering how special ed evaluations work and why they matter?

Join us for a free virtual training on Nov. 10, 7 to 8:30 pm PT: "Special Education Evaluations: Why & How We Evaluate Students with Disabilities” to learn about tests and why they're needed.
Hosted by DREDF PTI. 
Register at dredf.org
Image description: A collage of three photos of children smiling, learning alongside an adult. Text reads: “DREDF Training Series: Special Education Evaluations - Why and How We Evaluate Students with Disabilities. Virtual Training, Monday, November 10, 2025, 7:00–8:45 pm PT.” A red button says “REGISTER.”
October 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Please join us in welcoming Drew, our new Communications Strategist! Drew will strengthen and expand DREDF's communications efforts during a critical time for disability rights. We’re looking forward to sharing more content, more often, including more videos.
Black and white professional headshot of Drew, a white woman with blue eyes and long blond hair. Two smaller photos of Drew editing videos.
October 30, 2025 at 11:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
23 years ago, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) expanded voting access for millions of voters with disabilities.

Today, we celebrate that progress and continue working toward full participation for all.

#VotingRights #Accessibility #YesAccess #HAVA
A feminine-presenting white person using a power wheelchair is beside a "Vote Here" sign and has a universal symbol of access. In the background, there is polling stations in a gym. Text reads: "The Help America Vote Act turns 23 years old today! Thanks to the Help America Vote Act, every polling place is required to include an accessible booth and voting system to ensure that your vote counts. Claim your power at the polls." The DREDF logo is in the top corner.
October 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Today is the #SNAPDayOfAction, and we need you to join us and act now.

42 million Americans are at risk of losing SNAP benefits on Nov 1st. USDA has a contingency fund but hasn't released it. Contact your Members of Congress today.
An illustration promoting the “SNAP Day of Action.” The image shows a green cliff edge with a grocery bag labeled “SNAP” tipping off the side. The text reads: “SNAP Day of Action — Urge policymakers to restore food assistance before SNAP falls off the cliff.” Below the image of the bag, it says in red and blue text: “Take action now before benefits run out in November.” The background is a gradient blue sky.
October 29, 2025 at 12:19 AM
dredf.bsky.social
Friends, family, and neighbors shouldn’t have to go hungry, become unhoused, and lose healthcare.

Millions are already hurting with basic needs cuts and millions more are at risk from the continuing government shutdown.

Learn how it will impact you and what you can do: dredf.org/shutdown-update/
Image has a light brown background with radiating circles. To the left is an image collage of the closeup of people’s eyes. They appear to be a variety ages, races, and genders to reflect the diversity of those impacted. Text on the image is dark blue and red to convey urgency. It says “Millions are already hurting from cuts to healthcare and basic needs. Here’s what to know and what to do as the government shutdown continues.” The DREDF logo appears in the top left corner.
October 27, 2025 at 11:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The Trump Administration wants to reverse the Rehabilitation Act's Section 503 regulations that supports federal contractors having disabled people represent 7% of their workforce. We refuse to let that happen! On this #DisabledWomensEqualPayDay, join us in fighting back! tinyurl.com/DWEPD25
Centered over a dark green background, capitalized top header text reads “Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day 2025 October 23” in white and yellow letters. Below, white text reads “We’re still fighting for equal pay.” Centered at the bottom are four hand-drawn people. From left to right, there is a person sitting down facing left, a person standing wearing dark sunglasses and holding a cane, a person with a prosthetic leg standing and waving, and a person sitting in a wheelchair facing left.
October 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Today is #DisabledWomensEqualPayDay, and our rights and health are under attack. Medicaid cuts are projected to deprive disabled women of life-saving health care and employment supports. Join us in fighting back! tinyurl.com/DWEPD25
○ Centered at the top over a dark green background, the capitalized header text reads “Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day 2025 October 23” in white and yellow letters. Below is white text that reads “Tell Congress: Reverse the devastating Medicaid cuts and pass the Protecting Healthcare And Lowering Costs Act!” Below that is a light green rectangle with capitalized black text that reads “Take Action,” and a white arrow pointing to the text as if clicking on a button.
October 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Congress, please reopen the government and fix what you broke. 24 million people depend on ACA coverage and cuts to Medicaid and health care hit disabled people and families first. dredf.org/the-governme...
The Government Shutdown, What It Means for People with Disabilities and How You Can Stay Engaged - DREDF
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
dredf.org
October 10, 2025 at 8:33 PM
dredf.bsky.social
“I’m very fearful that we are headed towards a less inclusive, less diverse and more segregated public school setting.” - Karma Quick-Panwala, DREDF's Children & Family Advocacy Services Director in a new article by @propublica.org

www.propublica.org/article/educ...
These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.
Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...
www.propublica.org
October 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
nilc.org
As the devastation of the 2025 reconciliation law sets in, politicians are creating distractions and spreading lies about immigrants to distract from the truth.

We're here to set the record straight: www.nilc.org/resources/fa...
Fact Checking Immigrants, Health Care, and the 2025 Tax and Budget Law
In response to misinformation about the 2025 reconciliation law, particularly regarding undocumented immigrants’ health care eligibility, this resource addresses misleading claims and explains why the...
www.nilc.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The Healthcare Over Billionaires Rally will be streamed here: www.youtube.com/live/VGaILms...
September 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
kff.org
If Congress doesn’t act to extend the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits, KFF’s latest analysis finds that premium payments would more than double on average in 2026.

See the data: https://on.kff.org/3WfWxjj
Image featuring a statistic from a KFF analysis: "Premiums would more than double on average (rising by 114%) for Marketplace enrollees who currently receive financial assistance via the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits." The background is green with white text.
September 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
juliametraux.bsky.social
For the November/December issue of @motherjones.com, I dove into the history of the word "able-bodied"—including how it's been harmful to disabled Americans since the 1930s and it most certainly will be when Medicaid work reqs come into play again. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The deceptive phrase behind Trump's Medicaid purge
How the idea of “able-bodied” is abused
www.motherjones.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
kff.org
As of last Monday, 26 states implemented or announced updates to their COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccine policies, providing broader access than current federal limits.

Get a snapshot of state actions on vaccine policy in our brief: https://on.kff.org/3IhxRnr
KFF graphic titled "In Response to Changes in Federal Vaccine Policy Under the Trump Administration, 26 States Recently Moved to Allow Pharmacists to Give COVID-19 Shots Without a Prescription." The graphic lists the 26 states: Arizona, California*, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois*, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland*, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota*, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.*, Wisconsin. *California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C., also recently moved to allow pharmacists to administer other vaccines without a prescription.
September 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Today at 7pm PT: Know Your Rights, Own Your Voice: Disability Access in College
dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Know Your Rights, Own Your Voice: Disability Access in College. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
This training is all about helping students understand their rights and options for getting support in college if they have a disability or need extra help. We’ll talk about what accommodations and ho...
dredf-org.zoom.us
September 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Enhanced Premium Tax Credits protect over 20 million people from medical bills that drain savings & wreck credit.

Congress had the chance to act—instead, they chose cuts.

Join us in urging Congress to make these tax credits permanent & repeal health care cuts: commcat.io/467vrRn

#CareNotCuts
Exterior of the U.S. Capitol building with a hand in a megaphone. Text reads "Millions are already stretching every dollar - They can't afford higher premiums or more medical debt. Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (PTCs) help more than 20 million people get affordable health coverage. Tell members of Congress to repeal the harmful cuts they passed and make PTCs permanent."
September 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
dredf.bsky.social
We denounce any and all efforts by the Administration to deny our existence as we are now. We are whole, we are human, and we are with you. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Disgust, horror, and "elimination": Trump and RFK Jr.'s eugenicist autism conference
The most striking omission from Monday's White House pageant: autistic people.
www.motherjones.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
juliametraux.bsky.social
A reminder to follow journalists, today and every day.

If you say you're going to have disability representation in an article on a disability topic, interview a disabled person, not a non-disabled parent. Their perspectives don't count as disability representation.
September 23, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
juliametraux.bsky.social
"You can’t eradicate autism without eradicating autistic people. It’s genocidal rhetoric against us that’s justified by 'autism destroys families. It destroys children.' No, it doesn’t. It’s bias against autistic people."

From an interview at @motherjones.com www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
RFK Jr. says there aren't autistic poets. We asked an autistic poet.
"I will challenge RFK Jr. to write a poem as good as me any day of the week."
www.motherjones.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The Department of Labor is proposing rollbacks to rules that help workers with disabilities access jobs with federal contractors.

Tell the DOL's Federal Contract Compliance Program Office: Don’t gut Section 503. Comments are due by September 17th.

Take action now: dredf.org/what-is-sect...
What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act? And How Can We Defend it? - DREDF
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
dredf.org
September 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM