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karlafitch.bsky.social
Karla
@karlafitch.bsky.social
61 followers 60 following 110 posts
Social Worker, Disability Advocate, Writer, Artist, and Geek. Do the next right thing. Posts, comments and likes are my own and do not represent any past or present employer or volunteer role.
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karlafitch.bsky.social
TEEN Vogue? Yes, but they nailed it with this article. Great food for thought to share with your teen or 20-something.
teenvogue.com Teen Vogue @teenvogue.com · Apr 23
When older adults lose access to vital services, the ripple effects are vast. The Trump admin is trying to do just that.

Here's why young people should care: www.teenvogue.com/story/trump-...
The Trump Administration Is Going After Your Grandma
When older adults lose access to vital services, their entire families face the consequences.
www.teenvogue.com
April 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Ohio’s proposed budget will short students while funding a new football stadium for a team that hasn’t had a winning season in ages. If this doesn’t make sense to you, call your state senator today.
lwvohio.bsky.social League of Women Voters of Ohio @lwvohio.bsky.social · Apr 23
Tell your Ohio state senator and members of the committee to fully fund the Fair School Funding plan so every Ohio student has the resources they need for a quality education, no matter where they live. 
Take action now to protect our public schools.
lwvohio.salsalabs.org/standupforoh...
Take Action: Stand up for Ohio's kids!
Tell the Ohio Senate Finance Committee: Stand up for Ohio's kids!
lwvohio.salsalabs.org
April 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Not only does this stand to disenfranchise women, this bill will impact #disabled voters. Many disabled folks face barriers to getting the addt’l documents needed including financial, transportation and more. #disability #DisabilityVote
lwvohio.bsky.social League of Women Voters of Ohio @lwvohio.bsky.social · Apr 13
The SAVE Act, the extreme bill that would make voting harder for millions of Americans, passed today in the US House. Next stop in our fight to protect voter rights– the US Senate.
See the League of Women Voters of the US statement here: bit.ly/LWVstatementSAVEact
April 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Karla
autisticadvocacy.org
ASAN is deeply concerned about the Executive Order (EO) “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections." This explainer from AAPD talks about the EO, what's going on with voting right now, and how this impacts disabled voters.
Election Executive Order Explainer: What’s Going On With Voting Right Now, and How Does It Impact Disabled Voters? - AAPD
To access this resource as a PDF, click here. On March 25, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”  This EO proposes…
www.aapd.com
April 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
In times of need, I believe that we all need to give of the talents we have. Mine is condensing lots of information so others can use it.

This set of graphics is written in plain language (5-6th grade reading level). ALT text is included - everyone deserves a voice. #SaveOhioLibraries #Lbrary
Text reads: Save Ohio Libraries. What is happening? The Ohio House of Representatives’ budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF). If PLF is cut, libraries will lose about $100 million over the next 2 years. What does that mean for Libraries? Libraries could lose 25% or more in funding. This will mean: - Cuts to programming - like job skills training classes - Ending community supports like library social workers, free tutoring services, lending non-traditional items, and more. - Limiting new materials and replacing outdated materials less often. - In some cases, limiting library hours or closing branches entirely Text reads: Save Ohio Libraries What can I do? You can tell your Representative that you oppose cuts to library funding. To do this: Find your Representative. Visit ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map and type your address. Get their contact info. When your Representative appears, click the linked district. Click Contact in the white menu bar at the top of the screen. Share your message. You can call or write! For tips, see the next image. Keep it up. There is no limit to the number of times you can contact your Representative. You can also share your message with House Speaker, Matt Huffman, at rep78@ohiohouse.gov. ext reads: Save Ohio Libraries What should I say? Your message should include: - Your name and the city where you live - A statement, like “don’t cut library funding!” - Personalize it! Share a story about how you use the library. For more tips, see: aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives Shortcuts Some libraries have already created web pages to help you get started. Note: there are two QR codes. The first goes to a form for libraries in Cuyahoga County. https://form.jotform.com/250925435784162 The second goes to a form for libraries in Lorain County. https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/your-library-needs-your-help
April 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
I couldn’t decide on one color so I went for all of them (except yellow which would be invisible on white canvas). Too much?

#RBG #StitchSky #Crossstitch #ProtestEmbroidery #SpeakYourMind
Cross stitch piece in a small hoop on a red wall. Stitched text reads “speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” Each row of text is a different color of the rainbow. Below is a blackwork collar meant to look like one worn by Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
March 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Feel like there’s nothing you can do? Speak up!
March 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Absolutely heartbroken. The quality of my child’s education is being handed over to a man who has suggested that people with mental health conditions and #disabilities should be sent to work farms. IDEA is about more than funding “special needs” - it is a Free and Appropriate Education for all.
March 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
I don’t even know where to begin.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · Mar 20
BREAKING NEWS: The Trump administration has already moved to cut the department's staff by nearly half.
Trump signs order aiming to close the Education Department
The Trump administration has already moved to cut the department's staff by half.
www.npr.org
March 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
“what’s the harm of doing more research on whether vaccines cause autism? For people with severe challenges, whose families urgently want treatments to improve their child’s situation, money spent on a dead-end road takes resources away from more productive paths.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/o...
Opinion | Sorry, R.F.K.: There Is No Autism Mystery
Greater awareness, not vaccines, has driven an increase in diagnoses.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Super important question, #StitchSky: I’m trying another version of the #RBG #crossstitch and I can’t decide - all stitches in black or put some color into the lettering? If I did color the lettering (or some of it), what color?
In-process cross stitch piece showing work on an interpretation of RBG’s Dissent collar. Photo of my laptop showing a carted cross stitch layout in preview mode.
March 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Joined the League of Women Voters today 💪🏻
themelissadamas.bsky.social Melissa Damas @themelissadamas.bsky.social · Mar 15
If you're as pissed off as every sane American should be, I urge you to donate/volunteer, hell even run for office @runforsomething.net

It is now more prevalent than ever to support and elect young progressives.

Gerontocracy is the failure of all nations.

runforsomething.net
Run for Something
Run for Something recruits and supports talented, passionate young leaders to run for state and local office - we’re building long-term power.
runforsomething.net
March 15, 2025 at 1:10 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
A helpful breakdown of the terminology being thrown around regarding Medicaid cuts. The more you know 🌈✨
ndrnadvocates.bsky.social National Disability Rights Network @ndrnadvocates.bsky.social · Mar 12
We already told you all these names are just ways to hide Medicaid cuts that we KNOW are unpopular.

Want to learn more about why each of these terms will negatively impact beneficiaries? Keep reading.

Tell Congress: NO CUTS by any name.

secure.everyaction.com/tZYmQsJTmUCS...
The text of this image reads: "Per Capita Caps would limit the amount of federal funding states receive for Medicaid on a per-beneficiary basis. States would need to cut services, reduce eligibility or limit access to care for beneficiaries to remain within these caps, especially considering the increasing costs of healthcare." The text of this image reads: "Block grants would give states a fixed amount of money for Medicaid, which would be insufficient to meet the rising costs of healthcare or to address unforeseen health crises. States would be forced to cut eligibility, reduce services, or limit provider payments, negatively affecting beneficiaries' access to necessary care and services. The text of this image reads: "Eligibility requirements: tightening eligibility for Medicaid will cause many individuals to lose access to critical health services. This will particularly impact children, pregnant women, elderly individuals and people with disabilities, who rely heavily on Medicaid for routine and emergency care." This image reads: "Imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients would strip coverage from thousands of Americans, including those with chronic illnesses, disabilities and caregiving responsibilities. Many will face challenges with meeting these requirements due to health limitations, lack of accommodation(s) and other barriers which would result in ineffective work evaluations, terminations and ultimately unjust loss of Medicaid benefits leaving them without the vital resources they need.
March 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
I got a lot of love on this design and I think it’s time to set it free. Stitched according to this pattern, it will display in a 5” hoop. #RBG #ProtestEmbroidery #StitchSky #CrossStitch
Cross-stitch embroidery piece displayed in a wooden hoop. It reads “speak your mind even if your voice shakes” and is decorated with a swag of pink, blue and yellow roses. Chart to make the cross-stitch also linked in this post.
March 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Absolutely sickening.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · Mar 12
UPDATE: According to the department, more than 1,300 positions will be cut as a result of this reduction in force. Roughly another 600 employees have accepted voluntary resignations or retired.
U.S. Education Department says it is cutting nearly half of all staff
According to the department, more than 1,300 positions will be cut as a result of this reduction in force. Roughly another 600 employees have accepted voluntary resignations or retired.
www.npr.org
March 12, 2025 at 12:46 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
The stupid. It burns.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study on the long-discredited connection between autism and vaccines, a move that advocates say will squander precious government resources.”

www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/03/10/c...
CDC To Revisit Debunked Link Between Vaccines And Autism
The CDC is planning a large study on the long-discredited connection between autism and vaccines, a move that advocates say will squander precious government resources.
www.disabilityscoop.com
March 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
A #stitched ode on the late, great #RBG. Women need to speak our minds now more than ever.

#CrossStitch #StitchSky #ProtestEmbroidery #SocialJusticeArt #XStitch
March 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
I work with a lot of parents who are worried about the dissolution of DoE and think this interview paints an accurate picture - the biggest fear right now is that we just don’t know what will happen next. #disability #IDEA #DOE #SpecialEducation

www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
Why a Department of Education closure is concern for students with disabilities
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kristy Hedler, mother of a son with Down syndrome, about what eliminating the Department of Education would mean for kids who receive special education services.
www.npr.org
March 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
The discussion on caregivers for the elderly often omits that #disabled folks share this same pool. Families are already in crisis (I work with many of them). This will only make it worse. #disability

www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Elderly Care
The U.S. relies heavily on immigrant workers to care for its aging population, with nearly 30 percent of direct care workers coming from other countries. As the demand for caregivers grows, President ...
www.nytimes.com
March 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Karla
thinkingautism.com
Oh FFS. Vaccines have NOTHING to do with autism. INSAR, the International Meeting for Autism Research, had zero papers/presentations on this fabricated link BY 2015. What a waste of effort and funding, what an insult to autistic people themselves, who are simply humans—neither damaged, nor diseased.
March 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
karlafitch.bsky.social
I’ll say it again. We need services. We need support for #autistic people to live better lives. Not wasted money on theories that have long since been debunked. Absolute madness.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Exclusive: U.S. CDC plans study into vaccines and autism, sources say
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links.
www.reuters.com
March 8, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Reposted by Karla
jessdogmom.bsky.social
Mr John Lewis would have been arrested so many time by now.
March 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Could McMahon learn what IDEA is and does? Sure. Will she? I doubt that very much. #Disability #SpecialEducation
March 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Excellent overview of the issues people with #disabilities now face as a result of policy changes from this administration www.axios.com/2025/02/23/t... #disability #advocacy #DEI #Medicaid #Section504
Americans with disabilities warn protections are vanishing in Trump's DEI rollback
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience," said Katy Neas, chief executive officer of The Arc.
www.axios.com
March 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
karlafitch.bsky.social
Time to start a new one #RBG #CrossStitch
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM