Emily Ladau
@emilyladau.bsky.social
Author of "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally." Disability rights activist who lives life on wheels. ♿️
I don't know which is more infuriating:
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
To Survive the Next Pandemic, Walk More, the NIH Says
The agency is picking up Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s argument that a healthy immune system can keep even pandemic germs at bay.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
I don't know which is more infuriating:
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
I think this incident taps into the same emotions people felt years ago when Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, the disabled reporter. It cuts to the core because it's the basest form of playground bullying--something far too many of us experienced in our formative years.
I don't know why the "Piggy" thing is bothering me so much. It's one more unforgivable thing in a list of 20,000 unforgivable things, but I've been mad about it for like 12 straight hours.
November 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I think this incident taps into the same emotions people felt years ago when Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, the disabled reporter. It cuts to the core because it's the basest form of playground bullying--something far too many of us experienced in our formative years.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Your new motto should be: if it’s fine for disabled people, it’s fine for me.
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Your new motto should be: if it’s fine for disabled people, it’s fine for me.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I know everyone is fed up with the state of the world but what if you didn’t take it out on people you have mild disagreements with on social media
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I know everyone is fed up with the state of the world but what if you didn’t take it out on people you have mild disagreements with on social media
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible. But the Trump cuts to the program could change it all.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
What Trump's Medicaid cuts mean for two podcasters with Down syndrome
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible.
www.motherjones.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible. But the Trump cuts to the program could change it all.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Neither progress nor destruction happen in vacuums. Everyday ableism may feel trivial in the face of dire disasters, but efforts to fight both are essential if we are going to successfully uproot harmful systems. emilyladau.substack.com/p/the-jenga-...
The Jenga Tower of Justice: Balancing Everyday Ableism with Global Crisis
Is a "both/and" mentality possible in a world that increasingly demands an "either/or" mentality?
emilyladau.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Neither progress nor destruction happen in vacuums. Everyday ableism may feel trivial in the face of dire disasters, but efforts to fight both are essential if we are going to successfully uproot harmful systems. emilyladau.substack.com/p/the-jenga-...
A grateful post seems so small in the vastness of all @sfdirewolf.bsky.social did for the world, but Alice showed the power of social media to spark change, so I hope the love through these channels are emanating toward her into the ether. Thank you for everything. www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
17K likes, 778 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the ...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A grateful post seems so small in the vastness of all @sfdirewolf.bsky.social did for the world, but Alice showed the power of social media to spark change, so I hope the love through these channels are emanating toward her into the ether. Thank you for everything. www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Many thoughts about my cyborg bitch boss goddess accomplice Alice Wong & all the things she meant but there is a tendency for white disabled people to overshadow conversations about disabled BIPOC including in death. I choose to let Alice speak for herself & uplift those she wanted to represent her.
November 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Many thoughts about my cyborg bitch boss goddess accomplice Alice Wong & all the things she meant but there is a tendency for white disabled people to overshadow conversations about disabled BIPOC including in death. I choose to let Alice speak for herself & uplift those she wanted to represent her.
By this standard, I genuinely wonder how many people in this administration wouldn't be allowed citizenship based on their own rules. www.axios.com/2025/11/13/s...
State Department says visas can be denied over diabetes, obesity: reports
The guidance gives officers more reasons to turn away applicants.
www.axios.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
By this standard, I genuinely wonder how many people in this administration wouldn't be allowed citizenship based on their own rules. www.axios.com/2025/11/13/s...
I will not be relinquishing my use of the em-dash—nor should anyone have to.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Inside the unofficial movement to save the em dash — from A.I.
The extra-long hyphen known as the em dash is common in AI-generated text. While some writers have responded by choosing to avoid the punctuation mark, others are fighting back.
www.npr.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I will not be relinquishing my use of the em-dash—nor should anyone have to.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
This is true for many who require health insurance to live and work. ACA premium tax credits are essential. Health care is already too expensive. www.americanprogress.org/article/aca-...
November 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This is true for many who require health insurance to live and work. ACA premium tax credits are essential. Health care is already too expensive. www.americanprogress.org/article/aca-...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
SNAP benefits make it possible for the many disabled people (especially those who are multiply marginalized) relying on them to buy specific foods necessary to stay alive and stable. Food pantries/food banks often do not offer food reliably or at all that meets specific dietary requirements.
October 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
SNAP benefits make it possible for the many disabled people (especially those who are multiply marginalized) relying on them to buy specific foods necessary to stay alive and stable. Food pantries/food banks often do not offer food reliably or at all that meets specific dietary requirements.
So glad our government is arguing like school-aged kids while *actual* school-aged kids and their families are at risk of losing vital access to nutrition. www.notus.org/senate/senat...
Senate Republicans Block Democratic Effort to Fund SNAP During the Shutdown
Federal food aid for more than 30 million Americans is set to lapse at the end of the week.
www.notus.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:40 AM
So glad our government is arguing like school-aged kids while *actual* school-aged kids and their families are at risk of losing vital access to nutrition. www.notus.org/senate/senat...
If the No Kings protests happening this weekend aren't accessible to you, please remember that there are many other valid and vital means of resistance. You are needed, however you show up. open.substack.com/pub/emilylad...
I've Marched, Rallied, and Protested In My Wheelchair. But It's Rarely Accessible.
Who is the revolution for if it's not for everyone?
open.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If the No Kings protests happening this weekend aren't accessible to you, please remember that there are many other valid and vital means of resistance. You are needed, however you show up. open.substack.com/pub/emilylad...
I am marrying the love of my life this weekend.
But with each political new update breaking our hearts and our spirits just a little bit more, the question keeps echoing in my mind: is it okay to experience joy right now?
emilyladau.substack.com/p/wedding-pl...
But with each political new update breaking our hearts and our spirits just a little bit more, the question keeps echoing in my mind: is it okay to experience joy right now?
emilyladau.substack.com/p/wedding-pl...
Wedding Planning Through the Fall of Democracy
I wish the government could be my “something blue.”
emilyladau.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I am marrying the love of my life this weekend.
But with each political new update breaking our hearts and our spirits just a little bit more, the question keeps echoing in my mind: is it okay to experience joy right now?
emilyladau.substack.com/p/wedding-pl...
But with each political new update breaking our hearts and our spirits just a little bit more, the question keeps echoing in my mind: is it okay to experience joy right now?
emilyladau.substack.com/p/wedding-pl...
This is an important win. Libraries are more essential than ever, and everyone should be able to access them fully.
LEGAL VICTORY: Last week a federal court granted final approval to a class action settlement that will ensure the Hunters Point Library in #Queens is #accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities.
dralegal.org/press/hunter...
#DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #LibrariesAreForEveryone
dralegal.org/press/hunter...
#DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #LibrariesAreForEveryone
Class Settlement Approved Ensuring Access for People with Disabilities to Queens Public Library Branch - Disability Rights Advocates
October 14, 2025—Queens, New York—On October 9, 2025, Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione granted final approval to a class action settlement of a case filed against the Queens Borough Public Library, th...
dralegal.org
October 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This is an important win. Libraries are more essential than ever, and everyone should be able to access them fully.
The attacks are swift and direct; the hateful messages are loud and clear.
Breaking: per internal sources, the entire Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), including OSEP and RSA beneath them, was RIFed last night at the Department of Ed. Developing story. DoEd union says may take 1-2 days for all affected employees to receive official notice.
October 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The attacks are swift and direct; the hateful messages are loud and clear.
I want more than anything for the ceasefire to hold and the genocide to end, but make no mistake: this administration doesn't have a true peacemaker among them. Their rhetoric and their actions on the world stage have emboldened oppressors and perpetuated hate. They're on the same dangerous path.
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I want more than anything for the ceasefire to hold and the genocide to end, but make no mistake: this administration doesn't have a true peacemaker among them. Their rhetoric and their actions on the world stage have emboldened oppressors and perpetuated hate. They're on the same dangerous path.
So CBS is changing its name to Complete Bari Sellouts, right?
October 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
So CBS is changing its name to Complete Bari Sellouts, right?
When I sat down to write about National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it felt almost quaint to acknowledge it. In the shadow of the government shutdown, writing about NDEAM feels downright comical. But it’s relevant, so let’s talk about it. emilyladau.substack.com/p/national-d...
It's National Disability Employment Awareness Month...but we're probably not supposed to talk about it.
The current administration has scrubbed mentions of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" from a month meant to uplift all three.
emilyladau.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
When I sat down to write about National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it felt almost quaint to acknowledge it. In the shadow of the government shutdown, writing about NDEAM feels downright comical. But it’s relevant, so let’s talk about it. emilyladau.substack.com/p/national-d...
How is sweetness possible when bitterness seems to prevail? emilyladau.substack.com/p/apples-hon...
Apples, Honey, and Vinegar: On Balance, Bitterness, and the Hope for Sweetness
Reflections on the convergence of the autumn equinox and the Jewish New Year.
emilyladau.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
How is sweetness possible when bitterness seems to prevail? emilyladau.substack.com/p/apples-hon...
On today's episode of "Even (Liberal) White Men Aren't Safe From (Conservative) White Men"...a completely unsurprising follow-up to the "Even (Conservative) White Men Aren't Safe From (More Conservative) White Men."
ABC announced that it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show “indefinitely” after his comments about Charlie Kirk’s death.
ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments
Mr. Kimmel faced some criticism for comments he made on Monday about the motives of the man who is accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
nyti.ms
September 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
On today's episode of "Even (Liberal) White Men Aren't Safe From (Conservative) White Men"...a completely unsurprising follow-up to the "Even (Conservative) White Men Aren't Safe From (More Conservative) White Men."